April 27, 2004 National nurse leader says, "Williams must stop breaking the law." Ottawa: Today the leader of the largest organization of nurses in Canada reminded Premier Danny Williams that "he is not only breaking his word, he is breaking the law." "Everyone knows that Williams broke his word to 20,000 government service employees. But now he is set to breech provincial and international law," said Linda Silas, President of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions representing 125,000 nurses across Canada. Since 1919, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has instituted labour laws through meetings of business, government and labour leaders. One of the ILO's most fundamental tenets is the right to associate freely - and the right to not associate as well (Convention # 87). "In forcing 20,000 employees back to work, Williams is forcing them collectively to provide their labour, which is a violation of this law to which Canada is a signatory." According to the province's Public Services Collective Bargaining Act, if Williams forces workers back to the job to protect public health and safety, he is required to submit outstanding bargaining issues to arbitration. "As nurses and union members, we understand the importance of essential workers - those who protect the public from immediate danger. The people of Newfoundland and Labrador continue to be served by those workers the government and unions have agreed are essential. Essential workers remain at their posts. But now Premier Williams wants to use the coercive power of the state to force all workers back to work. "Williams is behaving as if there is no other choice, but the unions in recognition of the law have offered to submit the outstanding issues to binding arbitration. "That's the way out of this and we ask that he reconsider this option. Often the best way to settle a dispute is to put the facts before an impartial third party. By choosing binding arbitration, Williams can reassure the public and the unions that he is not acting out of personal animosity. And he can avoid the negative consequences for the public of forcing employees back to work without resolution of the conflict. "A forced return to work will bring bodies back inside government buildings, but the morale of the workforce will be greatly diminished unnecessarily. "This will leave a lasting impression on the 20,000 striking workers, their families and the people of this province. Williams faces the prospect of being defined as a leader who is willing to throw principle out the window and contravene international and provincial law, as a premier who breaks his promises, as a politician who will trash the truth to get elected. "Back-to-work legislation is the last refuge of a failed negotiator, to paraphrase Mark Twain. Williams will be branded as not fair enough to subject his positions to impartial review. "Premier Williams needs to think about what brand of premier voters will 'buy' the next time they go to the polls," Silas concluded. For more information: Teresa Neuman CFNU Communications 613-526-4661 ext 222