The relationship between the provincial government and the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association continues to deteriorate.
Their agreement with government has long expired and the association now accuses government of breaking that contract as it relates to one group of doctors.
That from NLMA President-Elect Dr. Lynnette Powell, who says there has been a three-year delay in the negotiation of their master agreement.
According to President Dr. Charlene Fitzgerald, The association is currently working under the same agreement that was negotiated for the 2013 – 2017 time period. It expired in 2017.
Charlene Fitzgerald
The president of the NLMA, Charlene Fitzgerald, says the first movement towards negotiations was at the end of last year when the government reached out to a consulting company to prepare for talks. She says they are still not at the point of negotiation.
Powell says improvements for patients in the province cannot begin until an agreement is done.
According to the association, Newfoundland and Labrador is now the least competitive province in Atlantic Canada for family medicine.
That’s not the only issue souring relations. The NLMA is taking government to court following what it charges are unilateral breaches of contract.
Powell says government reduced compensation to physicians who are faculty at MUN’s medical school.
Lynette Powell
