Bill 148 passes third reading
Posted Dec 18, 2015 07:15:06 AM.
Last Updated Dec 18, 2015 07:56:31 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Bill 148 has passed in another marathon session at Province House which is set to impose a wage freeze on 75,000 public sector workers in Nova Scotia
It was another overnight session in the legislature, as the Liberals were trying to jam through the bill before the fall session wraps up.
The liberals used their majority to pass the bill this morning by a vote of 30 – 14.
This means a four year deal would be imposed on the province’s public sector, with a two year wage freeze.
While it still needs Royal Assent, finance minister Randy Delorey has previously said the legislation wouldn’t be enacted or enforced unless wage demands from the union increased.
Union leaders have said the bill effectively kills collective bargaining rights, and says to expect more protests in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, a deaf man prevented from speaking to the Law Amendments Committee on Wednesday by Liberal MLAs received an apology from the committee chair, Terry Farrell yesterday.
Robert Tupper declined his invitation to speak about the bill at a special hearing yesterday, a release put out by the Labour Federation says, “Mr. Tupper indicates that he continues to feel disrespected and discriminated against by the Liberal MLA’s and chooses not to subject himself to such continued treatment.”
