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FREDERICTON CUPE Local 1840 has agreed to binding arbitration to settle a 19-week strike by 63 court stenographers. The stenos will return to work Wednesday, January 31.

This has been a long, hard strike for everyone, said CUPE regional director Bob Crockett. Despite our best efforts to come to a negotiated settlement, this was not possible.

The government and CUPE have therefore agreed to ask an arbitration tribunal to resolve the dispute.

The parties have asked Nova Scotia lawyer, Bruce Outhouse, QC, to chair a three-person arbitration tribunal. The tribunal will examine arguments and issue a report describing a settlement that will be binding on both sides.

The tribunal will include a nominee to be chosen by the employer and a nominee to be chosen by the union. A report is expected from the tribunal in the spring.

The province-wide strike began September 25, 2000, to back demands to restore wage equity to the justice system.

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Contact: Bob Crockett, CUPE Maritimes Regional Director,
(902) 566-4006.