The President of the NL Federation of Labour says changes in contract negotiations can sometimes result in the unnecessary extension of labour disputes.

Mary Shortall says strike action is an “absolute last resort” in labour negotiations but she claims, lately things are getting tougher.

She says lockouts are becoming more common, something that seldom happened in the past.

She says the addition of corporate lawyers who are conducting negotiations on behalf of the employer is also making things more difficult.

“They’re getting paid by the hour, number one” says Shortall, coupled with the fact that “they don’t have any personal stake in the outcome” is something that is seen as detrimental to the process.