Conciliator revives Burin strike talks

A conciliation officer has agreed to meet with the Newfoundland and Labrador government and a union representing support workers who have been on strike since November.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees said Tuesday that the conciliation officer will attempt to bring an end to the strike, which involves support staff who work with developmentally delayed adults.

The employees work for the Burin-Marystown Community Training and Employment Board. They assist clients who clean the College of the North Atlantic campus at Burin.

Because of the strike, those clients have been unable to work.

NAPE president Carol Furlong said four days have been set aside with the conciliation officer.

For months, the provincial government has maintained that it could not resolve the issue,because it was not the employer. NAPE has said the province has a role to play, as it funds the program.

NAPE has said the support staff earn little more than minimum wage.