The province’s largest public sector union will be looking for appropriate compensation packages for workers to address recruitment and retention challenges when the budget comes down tomorrow.

NAPE President Jerry Earle says he was encouraged to hear Premier Tony Wakeham say he won’t cut his way to prosperity.

Earle says the province is facing real challenges in keeping wages in line with the private sector and the rising cost of living.

“We’re at the point now where we actually have a shortage in the public sector,” Earle told VOCM Open Line with guest host Darrin Bent. “We’ve got to recognize the hardship that many are facing in Newfoundland and Labrador including our frontline workers.” That’s some of what the union will be looking for.

The province has faced difficulties recruiting workers to the public service in recent years – in professions ranging from health care to snow clearing.