“No matter what the political context, it is always good news when you have a longer collective agreement because then you have a longer period of workplace stability,” she told reporters. The provincial government has signed another quick deal giving thousands of civil servants a 7.5-per-cent raise over four years, prompting accusations the Liberals are buying labour peace for next June’s election. Teachers and education workers have also enjoyed contract extensions recently, meaning their contracts won’t be up for negotiation before next June’s election. Officials at AMAPCEO said their contract didn’t expire until next March, yet the government approached them with an offer last week. “Usually if you’re going to have a collective bargaining conversation that is more difficult, you’ll have one party starting here and one party starting way over there.

Source: thestar June 15, 2017 00:56 UTC