News release

Province Seeks Feedback on First Contract Settlement

Labour and Advanced Education (Jan. 2011 - Aug. 2021)

Nova Scotians are invited to comment on a proposal to introduce measures that would settle first contract disputes.

A first contract is the first collective agreement that a union negotiates with an employer once the union is certified.

The consultations are being led by the Labour Management Review Committee, established earlier this year to improve labour relations in Nova Scotia and to provide a forum to discuss issues of mutual concern.

"We continually see the benefits of the good labour relations in this province and we are undertaking this discussion so we can do everything possible to ensure even greater stability," said Marilyn More, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education. "Having a mechanism in place to deal with first contract disputes will help protect productivity by avoiding damaging, prolonged strikes."

Six provinces and the federal government have established legislation to settle first contracts without a strike or lockout. The legislation includes mechanisms for assistance when the employer and the union have not be able to conclude a first collective agreement, including the ability to help to resolve a first agreement.

A discussion paper on this issue can be found at www.gov.ns.ca/lae . The deadline for feedback is Friday, Nov. 4. All feedback will be considered.