NAPE appeals to Premier Williams to stop highways layoffs

Province appears to be deliberately creating conditions that can be used as an excuse for privatization

St. John's (11 April 2007) - The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE/NUPGE) is calling on Premier Danny Williams to intervene in the closure of highway depots and stop the layoff of highway personnel for the season.

NAPE president Carol Furlong the layoff notices have been issued to an estimated 40% of highways workers with the provincial transportation department. Some of the notices are effective as early as April 17.

She said the layoffs will have a serious impact on the summer highway maintenance, worsen the shortage of experienced workers when the next winter highway season arrives, and set up conditions that will give the province an excuse to move toward greater highways privatization.

In 2005, the department initiated a pilot project in which 13 highway depots were closed as a cost-saving measure during the summer months. The resulting layoffs forced some workers to look for lower-paying jobs as an alternative and left others with no choice but to leave the province, Furlong says. Some moved to Alberta in search of work.

NAPE says the closures make no sense because the result will be an increased shortage of experienced workers during the winter maintenance season. The changes will also create conditions the government can then use to privatize highways-related work, she adds.

She calls it hypocritical to put $10 million into highway maintenance and $2.5 million into supplies while issuing layoff notices to the people who carry out the work. As a result, she is calling on the premier to intervene for the good of both the public and the employees affected. NUPGE