Higgs legislation would force 5 public-sector unions into new pension plan
CBC
The Higgs government has introduced legislation to force five public-sector unions into shared-risk pension plans, hoping to wrap up a big piece of unfinished business from a major strike in 2021.
To end that dispute, two locals of the Canadian Union of Public Employees signed a side deal that set aside a sticking point over pensions and created a process to resolve it.
Now, Premier Blaine Higgs is accusing CUPE of dragging its feet in that process and will legislate an end to it.
"We need to move forward with a New Brunswick pension solution for our employees," Higgs told reporters.
"Legislation was not the route we wanted to go but unfortunately negotiations have not resulted in any workable plan."
Union officials accused Higgs of effectively tearing up their existing contracts with the bill introduced Wednesday.
Some CUPE members ripped out pages of their collective agreement Wednesday morning and tossed them into a fire in a metal barrel on the front lawn of the Legislature.
"It's a pension issue, but moreso, it's a breaking of a free, collective agreement, signed document. That's the big issue," said Theresa McAllister, the provincial president of CUPE Local 2745, one of the unions affected.
She said if the premier gets away with the move, it'll set a precedent for all public-sector unions.
"This is going to have a big impact on all groups. Of course we have to push back. We have to fight back."
Asked what that will involve, McAllister and CUPE 1253 president Iris Lloyd said to "stay tuned."
Opposition Liberal MLA and labour critic Marco LeBlanc slammed the government for targeting unionized workers just six sitting days before the legislature is scheduled to adjourn for the Christmas break.
"They're forcing them, through legislation, to accept things that they should be at the negotiating table negotiating, not in this house," he said.
The two CUPE locals represent about 7,200 school custodians, maintenance workers, bus drivers and administrative staff.
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