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'NAPE is calling on government to immediately re-open the depots they closed this spring.' - Carol Furlong.
St. John (23 June 2009) - The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE/NUPGE) has won a significant victory on behalf of the highway workers it represents.
NAPE president Carol Furlong says a major decision by the Trial Division of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland will be worth $5 to $6 million for the workers - one of the largest awards in the union's history.
"The decision means the employer will have to rescind layoff notices dating back to 2005, pay lost wages and benefits and restore union seniority," says Furlong.
NAPE had grieved a June 30, 2005, summer layoff of highway workers, which resulted in the summer closure of 13 highway units across the province.
NAPE won the grievance at arbitration and the arbitrator ordered that layoff notices be rescinded with all lost wages, seniority and benefits restored to affected employees. The provincial government appealed the arbitration award, leading to the landmark decision by the province's top court.
“NAPE is calling on government to immediately re-open the depots they closed this spring,” says Furlong.
“The timing of this decision is quite fortuitous. Re-opening the 13 highway units for the summer months translates to additional highway maintenance which will help government protect its multi-million dollar investment in improvements to the province’s highway system.”
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The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE