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September 18, 2002 (Fredericton) Despite conflicting messages from the Minister of Human Resources, negotiators for CUPE 1418 remain committed to returning to the bargaining table, whenever the government is ready to do so.

“We are ready to resume negotiations whenever Minister Robichaud and his negotiators decide they are prepared to talk,” said Anne Hogan, President of CUPE 1418. “For the last couple of days we’ve been hearing through the media that Minister Robichaud wanted the union to get back to the table. Meanwhile, we’d been calling his negotiators every day trying to set new dates – and every day we were rebuffed. So yesterday we brought a table and a few extra chairs to Centennial Place in Fredericton. We thought this might help clear up the confusion.”

The confusion only intensified however, when the Minister contradicted earlier remarks by announcing that his government would not be returning to the table unless local 1418 was prepared to accept the offer the government tabled last June.

“The union has been very flexible throughout negotiations. We have been scrupulous about the accuracy of the information we send out to our members and the public. We have been straightforward in our approach to bargaining and have taken the process seriously,” said Anne Hogan. “Meanwhile, it seems that the Minister and his government contradict themselves every time they open their mouths – last Thursday we agreed to go back to the table with new proposals. Now he says we are not willing to move. He hasn’t even seen our new proposal yet!”

“Our message has been consistent and clear. Let’s get back to the table and negotiate a fair contract for our members. We can’t negotiate by ourselves.”

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For more information:

Anne Hogan, President CUPE 1418, 850-1753 (cell.)

Robert LeMoignan, CUPE 1418, 545-5441 (cell)

Laurie Kingston, CUPE Communications,
(613) 266-1415 (cell.)