Premier Tony Wakeham says Marine Atlantic’s critical importance to Newfoundland and Labrador is unquestionable and he’s discussed potential strike action affecting the service with federal finance minister François-Phillippe Champagne.
Unifor is disputing Marine Atlantic’s contention that the ferry service is an essential service and there is a possibility that service could be reduced dramatically should the two bargaining units involved take strike action, or are locked out.
That’s led to serious questions about not only the impact on the province as a whole, but on the tourism industry which relies heavily on road traffic.
Opposition tourism critic Bettina Ford raised the matter during Question Period yesterday.
(Marine Atlantic)
Ford wanted to know if there was a “back up plan” for operators if visitors cancelled their vacation plans.
Premier Tony Wakeham says Marine Atlantic is a “huge issue” and “it’s important that that highway be maintained.” He’s hopeful that the union and employer are able to get the dispute resolved.
Liberal Leader John Hogan says government needs to do whatever it can to make sure that service disruptions on the Gulf ferry run are avoided.
He’s urging Premier Tony Wakeham and Tourism Minister Andrea Barbour to make sure the two sides are at the table.
“We want the parties to get together as soon as they can and work through and make sure they get a good deal. Any risk of a strike or any potential strike will be devastating for the tourism operators.”
NDP Leader Jim Dinn (VOCM News)
Meanwhile, the NDP says unionized workers have the right to strike if they so choose.
Party Leader Jim Dinn says government should not worry about having having the service designated as “essential,” and instead make sure the two sides are working to reach a fair collective agreement.
“Negotiate fairly with the people, with the workers. Don’t rely on your ability that they may not have the right to strike or that you can deem it an essential service. But come up with a compensation package that’s going to meet the needs of the workers,” he told reporters.
“If it’s an essential service and an important service, then obviously the workers who perform that service are important and deserve to be treated that way.”
