Canadian Labour Reporter

lAbour brieFs 2 Canadian HR Reporter, a Thomson Reuters business 2014 3 agreements fi nalized to help new Brunswickers get jobs FRedeRICTOn — Three agreements have been signed by the Government of Canada and the Government of New Bruns- wick to help connect citizens with available jobs. "New Brunswick has the po- tential for a strong economy and employment growth over the coming years. To ensure the province's prosperity, job open- ings have to be filled," said Rob Moore, regional minister for N.B. "The agreements… will not only help create jobs and oppor- tunities for New Brunswickers, they will also help develop the skilled workforce New Bruns- wick's economy needs." Part of the Canada Job Grant, the agreements will be delivered through the new Canada-New Brunswick Job Fund Agreement (formerly known as a labour market agreement). The Canada-New Brunswick Labour Market Agreement for Persons with Disabilities was signed as part of the deal. With a focus on increased employer in- volvement, the new agreement is intended to better connect Ca- nadians with disabilities to avail- able jobs. Reportedly, as many as 800,000 working-age Canadians with disabilities who are able to work are not currently doing so. Almost half of those individuals have post-secondary education. The federal government will provide more than $5.9 mil- lion annually to N.B. under the agreement, a contribution that will be matched by the province. Additionally, the federal and provincial governments signed the renewal of the Targeted Ini- tiative for Older Workers, a cost- shared initiative that provides training to unemployed older workers in an effort to help them re-enter the workforce. The agreement represents a three- year federal investment of more than $2.5 million. "We are growing our prov- ince's economy by focusing on people, skills and jobs. These agreements will allow us to serve New Brunswickers with flex- ible, responsive employment programs and services that will meet our province's economic needs and challenges," said Jody Carr, N.B.'s minister of post-sec- ondary education, training and labour. "By working with communi- ties, stakeholders and the fed- eral government we will provide more job and career opportuni- ties for vulnerable workers, the unemployed, persons with a dis- ability and older workers while ensuring employers a greater role in training." alberta ratifi es 4-year contract with government staff ers edMOnTOn — After 16 months of bitter negotiations, Alberta has ratified a new con- tract with nearly 22,000 frontline employees. Following a mail-in ballot count at the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) headquarters in Edmonton, the new four-year collective agree- ment came at a tumultuous time for labour and government rela- tions, the union said. "We're pleased a negotiated agreement was reached that both sides find acceptable," said Guy Smith, AUPE's president. "Given the recent history of these negotiations and the cre- ation of Bill 46, being able to vote on this agreement is a victory for our members." The hotly-contested Bill 46 was recently shot down in court after the union denounced it as a breach of basic rights. Other- wise known as the Public Sal- ary Restraint Act, the legisla- tion would have introduced a two-year pay freeze, followed by a one per cent increase in each of the final two years for public sector workers, whilst removing their right to binding arbitration. Had the government and AUPE not reached an agreement, the legislation was slated for ef- fect in March. A judge said the legislation had serious damage potential for the state of labour relations in the province. But after signing this most re- cent contract at the end of June, public sector staffers will see im- provements to wages, vacations and indemnity protection. They will also get an increase in shift and weekend premiums as well as improved overtime provi- sions. The agreement also pro- vides full recourse to members facing harassment and discrimi- nation in the workplace. "The road to get here was rough, but through it all, AUPE members stood strong in the face of some unprecedented challenges," Smith added. "They should be proud." Members of the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (NUMSA) protest on the streets of Durban. More than 200,000 engineering and metal workers launched a strike over wages. FORMeRlY ClV RePORTS Serving labour relations professionals since 1956 www.labour-reporter.com Published weekly by omson Reuters Canada ltd. 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If legal or other expert assistanceis required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. e analysis contained herein represents the opinion of the authors and should in no way be construed as being either offi cial or unoffi cial policy of any governmental body. ISSN 0045-5113 Publications Registration 2089 Canadian Labour Reporter is part of the Canadian HR Reporter group of publications. Visit www.hrreporter.com for more information. Labour Reporter Canadian www.labourreporter.com Photo: Rogan Ward (Reuters) lAboUr lens

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