NAPE president says money spent on communications consultant 'not necessary'

NAPE president Jerry Earle says he is pleased the Newfoundland and Labrador government recognizes it can handle communications on collective bargaining in house, and that he was proved right by the severing of ties with a high-profile external consultant.

The governmenthas parted ways with CathyDornan, acrisis communications expert whowas brought in to help with upcoming public sector negotiations.

St. John's law firmMcInnes Cooper, which has been retained by the government for the negotiations, no longer requiresDornan's services, Finance Minister Cathy Bennett said in a statement.

"I think it reflects on government," Earle said.

"It's probably an admission that they have had some difficulty in being able to deal with collective bargaining."

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Bennett said thegovernment decided at the end of June that communications for the collective bargaining process could be completed internally.

"Government advised [law firm] McInnes Cooper that external communications resources would no longer be required," Bennett said.

Dornan was brought on by McInnes Cooper earlier this year when the law firm was hired to help the government with the negotiations.

In an interview Wednesday, Earle said NAPE has never had a lack of confidence in its own resources to handle the complicated issues of negotiating with government.

"I have confidence in our staff in collective bargaining. Unfortunately it appears this government didn't have the same confidence in their staff," he said.

The government's decision to recruit McInnes Coopercame with criticism from NAPE, whichcalled the hires and the substantial fees galling.

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In four months, McInnes Cooper was paid about $60,000 for theirwork, at a rate of $350 an hour for collective bargaining support and$175 an hour for any additional services.

Dornan was paid $40,000 in total for the work she did.

A government spokesperson said the law firm was retained because the government needed more resources for the contract negotiations.

Earlesaid hequestions the spending at a time when the government is trying to tighten the purse strings on provincial spending.

"The people of the province pay to have these resources available to their government and we have a government saying to the people across this province you have to lose services yet we have additional money to pay for a communication specialist."

Liberal connections

According to her own website, Dornanhas years of experience dealing with crises such as oil spills, aviation disasters and workplace accidents.

She consulted with Cougar Helicopters in the aftermath of Flight 491.

She also has notableLiberal Party connections:She was former premierBrian Tobin's director of communications between 1996 and 1998.