Shouting “we want federal support,” hundreds gathered outside Confederation Building over the lunch hour to show support for offshore oil and gas workers.
The rally, organized by Unifor Local 2121, saw a number of speakers including union officials, politicians, and Noia CEO Charlene Johnson.
A short portion of @NoiaNL CEO @charlene5791’s speech.
“The Terra Nova should not be a tourist attraction.”
She went on to say people do not know how they will pay their mortgages or even register their child for hockey.
“The time for talk is over.” @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/TRB5xZxQqm
— Ben Murphy (@VOCMBen) September 16, 2020
Those in attendance held signs with phrases like “We [heart] Newfoundland and Labrador offshore workers” and “SOS Save Offshore.” Similar signs were placed along Prince Philip Drive in front of the Confederation Building.
One worker told VOCM News he received his layoff on Monday and he doesn’t know what he and his family are going to do. The mood was generally low as people expressed genuine concern about their livelihoods and future.
Some heartfelt messages coming from speakers.
Basically every person I’ve spoken to say they’ve recently lost their jobs or have friends or family who have lost their jobs. Some say they don’t know where to turn next, others have spent the week filling out resumes. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/iRzCHt1G7y
— Ben Murphy (@VOCMBen) September 16, 2020
The general message repeated among those in attendance was that the industry needs support now.
One man who works for PF Collins says there is a lot of uncertainty among the people he knows in the industry.
They’ve seen projects delayed and deferred or canceled altogether. He’s hearing “day in and day out” from colleagues and co-workers who are unemployed and going through difficult times—with few prospects for the future with no projects on the horizon.
Opposition Tackles Recovery Plan in Question Period
The rally by hundreds of oil and gas workers on Confederation Hill over the noon hour set the tone for questions in the House of Assembly today.
Tory Leader Ches Crosbie kicked off the session by asking when the government will stop turning over stones and start throwing them instead, a reference to getting a plan done with the federal government to save the thousands of oil industry jobs either already lost or about to be.
Meanwhile, debate on the interim supply bill continues but with only two months instead of the three months government wanted.
While they lost the vote on that amendment, neither the Opposition nor government viewed it as a vote of non-confidence that would trigger an election, with Crosbie calling it a disagreement over time periods but a reminder nonetheless of the fragile nature of the Liberal minority government.