NLMA broke promise, premier tells Tory convention

Premier Danny Williams says the executive director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association broke a promise to government.

During his leader’s annual report at the PC Party convention Saturday morning, he said Rob Ritter ensured government that raises given to attract and retain pathologists and some oncologists in May 2008 would not be used as a bargaining chip during general negotiations between the province’s doctors and the government.

That agreement reached in 2008 meant some specialists in this province went from the lowest paid in the country to among the highest, according to the health minister of the day, Ross Wiseman.

But Williams said Saturday that Ritter has not kept that promise and suggested that’s what has lead to prolonged negotiations with the association.

A spokeswoman for the NLMA told The Telegram Saturday it won’t be commenting further on contract negotiations.

Talks to reach a new deal with doctors have been ongoing since before the last contract expired in the fall of 2009.

More on the Tory convention will be posted throughout the weekend.

Helena: - October 26th, 2010 at 11:14:38

Terribly sorry for Premier's difficulty in springing back successfully to assume his demanding job duties after his operation earlier in the year. The man is ill and needs to step down, and I would hope that Newfoundland has capable public figures who can explain this to him before the people of this Province pay the price. Certainly there are others who can see the signs, not just me!

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Debt Slave: - October 24th, 2010 at 13:30:03

Thank you Mr. Premier. And I encourage you to take it one step further and take control over the limits this organization puts on the number of entrants into MUN's medical school. Unfortunately Mr. Premier, few know what you do - that the source of NLMA's union power (and thus the ability to demand pay raises far higher that the rest of us) lies in that they control the supply of MDs. Double the number of entrants into MUN's medical school, and we will soon see better, and cheaper health care. Simple solution, which unfortunately is beeing blocked by the likes of the NLMA.

nasty nate: - October 24th, 2010 at 13:27:14

Danny keep you hands outta the cookie jar. Yo are starting to look a little too foolish these days. How any promises have you broken? Ya, too many to count.

afraid to say my name: - October 24th, 2010 at 13:25:59

Careful Frank, you might be sued for speaking against the ego maniac...

Jim: - October 24th, 2010 at 13:09:09

He is becoming a joke in these dealings. Guess they need to bow to King Danny too.

disgusted.: - October 24th, 2010 at 13:00:58

Danny may be able to fool some people some of the time but not all the people all the time. Problems raised by the Pathology increase are solely due to Danny He is the one who broke agreements by settling pay increases unilaterally and not through the NLMA. The current Government stance will bring on Action..just like last time and the sooner the better for all patients.

Mark Murphy: - October 24th, 2010 at 12:49:27

Doctors need their money.. How else can they buy that second home and take their vacations down south?

W McLean: - October 24th, 2010 at 09:08:22

Good thing for Danny and bad thing for the NLMA that Danny Williams has never, ever, gone back on his word....

Brad: - October 24th, 2010 at 09:06:09

Classy.

Shannon Reardon: - October 24th, 2010 at 09:06:01

Danny Williams never breaks promises or goes back on anything he had ever said. No.

minion: - October 23rd, 2010 at 14:52:03

Looks like the premier is trying to divide and conquer yet another "union" just like he tried with Debbie and the nurses. We saw what happened when the nurses pushed back. Careful Danny boy, the doctors have been nice but they might push back like they did in 2002. Over a year with no contract, frustration sets in. The Oncology/Pathology side deal, which was outside of the collective bargaining process and against the advice of the NLMA is viewed by many as a direct attempt to divide the association. That is how this administration operates. Mr. Premier, be a grown up and put your personal vendettas aside and negotiate with the NLMA.

Frank Blackwood: - October 23rd, 2010 at 14:51:37

I understand the importance of the PC Convention to Premier Williams, but this should not be his number one priority when his people are so devasted and not getting the immediate financial help they need. He should understand that winter is upon them and they don't even have a doorstep to enter into their homes. There are many who don't have a home and what they do have is not liveable. It is also well known that insurance companies do assessments and take a long time to come up with any kind of assistance! Meanwhile, there is a deaf ear to immediate assistance. Mr. Premier, can we see more attention and action in helping people who need the help today, not next month. Frank Blackwood

The Telegram - News - Local

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