As described by the New Brunswick cabinet minister in charge of reducing the provincial budget by $600 million, a proposal to standardize public sector wages among all four Atlantic governments is worth a close look in our view, especially since the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies says if successful it could reduce the regional public sector wage bill by $1.9 billion.
Victor Boudreau says that during the collective bargaining process public service unions will argue for higher wages ettlements based in part on‘what the other guys are getting’ in neighbouring provinces. Standardized wages would presumably eliminate that bargaining chip and help slow down wage increases.
*This editorial appeared in the Times and Transcript