NBFL calls for the Minister of Labour’s Resignation

On Friday December 8, the New Brunswick Federation of Labour sent a letter to the Minister responsible for the Department of Post Secondary Education, Training and Labour, Arlene Dunn, calling for her resignation.

“The Minister’s attacks on labour leadership in the Legislative Assembly, while promoting herself as a respected labour leader, in addition to her supporting and promoting legislation that goes against the fundamental values of organized labour, prompted the call for her resignation,” says Daniel Legere, President of the New Brunswick Federation of Labour. “Free collective bargaining is at the cornerstone of the trade union movement. Bill 17 violates the fundamental principles that the labour movement upholds.”

Bill 17, if adopted, will force members of CUPE locals 2745 and 1253, as well as nursing home workers, to transition from their current pension plan to a shared risk pension plan. The terms of the pension plan are included in the collective agreements negotiated by both parties. Bill 17 breaks the signed collective agreements of over 9,000 workers. To end a strike in 2021, the union and the employer (the Government of New Brunswick) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a process to look at the negotiated pension plans. This process was still underway when Bill 17 was brought forward by the government.

“By violating signed collective agreements, Minister Dunn has lost the trust, respect and confidence of the New Brunswick Federation of Labour,” adds Legere. “We are calling for her to step down as the Minister responsible for labour in New Brunswick.”

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For information, contact:

Daniel Legere
President, New Brunswick Federation of Labour
(506) 857-2125 / (506) 381-8969