The City of Moncton was a bit concerned earlier this year when firefighters reached a high wage contract through binding arbitration.
City manager Jacques Dube said the bargaining process is being undermined by binding arbitration and noted new legislated guidelines should be adopted so that firefighters and taxpayers are being treated fairly.
But Patrick Colford, the President of the New Brunswick Federation of Labour, says it might be useful to remember how binding arbitration came about in the first place.
“Firefighters and police officers would give up their right to strike so because of that we could go to binding arbitration. But I know that municipalities are looking to have that changed.”
Colford also points out that binding arbitration doesn’t always go in favour of unions.
