Ottawa, Ontario, August 13, 2008 - The Honourable Gordon O'Connor, Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Carleton-Mississippi Mills, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Mi inister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, today announced funding to NAV CANADA and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), local 2228, for a training project aimed at improving their labour relati ons.
"Our government is taking action by supporting labour and management in their co operative efforts to develop good relations and constructive collective bargaining practices," said Minister O'Connor. "I believe that a dynamic and robust econo my is built on good labour-management relations."
This training project is intended to better educate managers and union representatives on the importance of adopting collaborative methods for working together, in order to strengthen their relatio nships and their respective organizations. Through education, both parties will endeavour to work together more effectively to improve the quality of their future labour relations. The training will focus on developing leadership skills for shop stewards and front line managers using the principles of collaborative labour relations. In total, NAV CANADA and IBEW will receive $50,000.
This project falls under the federal government's Labour-Management Partnerships Program (LMPP), a contribution program designed to encourage effective labour management relations in the workplace or at the sectoral level. The LMPP, administered by the Labour Program, provides fundin g assistance that supports efforts by unions and employers to jointly explore new ways of working together.
For more information on the LMPP, please visit the Labour Program Web site at labour .gc.ca.
- 30 -
This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For further information (media only):
Michael Winterburn
Office of Minister Blackburn
819-95 3-5646
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
