The Nova Scotia government will impose a wage package on public sector unions. Labour Relations Minister Mark Furey announced the proclamation of Bill 148 today. The bill applies to civil servants, health-care workers and others who have yet to reach a contact agreement. It outlines the amount of new money that employers can offer for wages to their employees…3% over four years: 0%, 0%, 1%, 1.5%, and 0.5 % on the final day of the agreement. In a news release, Furey said the government must safeguard the interests of taxpayers. He also said the act also ensures bargaining can continue for those groups without agreements and that the government encourages them to come to the table. Premier McNeil also announced the legislation would be referred to the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal under the Constitutional Questions Act to obtain the court’s opinion on the now proclaimed law.
