FREDERICTON - There are some promising signs a deal could be reached between the provincial government and 22,000 public sector workers, who could take a strike vote as early as Sept. 7, CUPE New Brunswick president Steve Drost said Friday. Drost said Premier Blaine Higgs spoke to the bargaining teams Thursday and they have agreed to continue negotiations next week. Jennifer Vienneau, a spokesperson for the Finance Department, said in an email Friday the premier also considered the meeting positive. But despite the positive signs, Drost said workers are ready for a strike if a deal can’t be reached. “That’s the last thing these workers want to do.”National CUPE president Mark Hancock said the union is ready to support the New Brunswick workers in the event of a strike.

Source: thestar August 27, 2021 17:27 UTC