Government’s decision to make an unscripted offer to nurses in last week’s budget speech without any consultation or advance notice was in poor taste and again shows this government’s disrespect for the collective bargaining process, says Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones. Jones raised the issue during question period earlier today in the House of Assembly.

“Even though both the government and nurses were scheduled to return to the bargaining table this week, the minister of finance decided to take the opportunity to blindside nurses,” said Ms. Jones. “Why would government choose to deliver such a message, knowing it was in poor taste and insulting to nurses, just days before returning to negotiations? This is not the approach of a government trying to get an agreement.”

Jones also says it was unfortunate that government has re-introduced pre-conditions to negotiations. In February, both the premier and minister of finance stated that all pre-conditions were removed from the bargaining table, but during the budget speech those pre-conditions were once again put forward.

“The premier and minister of finance do not understand that nurses are not the enemy, they are hard-working public employees who deserve respect. This is not the Harper Government or oil companies, these are the individuals who delivery health care services to the people of the province on a daily basis. Changing the rules of negotiation without any consultation is not bargaining in good faith and both the premier and minister are aware of this fact. It is certainly difficult to understand why they chose this route only days before negotiations resumed.