Government finally implements public sector pension reform after long lobby by NLEC
After a long lobby by the NLEC, Premier Tom Marshall announced Tuesday, September 2nd, that a deal has been reached between government and unions to reform the majority of public sector pensions in this province. This deal finally establishes a plan to eliminate the massively unfunded public sector pension and post retirement liabilities, projected to  [...]
Myths and realities of public sector pensions
In this weekend’s Telegram, the NLEC debunked myths and state realities concerning public sector pensions in our province in a letter to the editor. Union leaders have taken exception to provincial business associations like the Newfoundland and Labrador Employers’ Council sharing in the discussion about the financial predicament of our public sector pension plans (PSPPs).  [...]
NLEC asks province to tackle debt, decrease spending and reallocate resources to immigration
The NLEC is encouraging the province to tackle debt, reduce spending, create a competitive tax regime and shift resources towards immigration in Budget 2014. View the NLEC’s Position Paper on 2014 Provincial Budget Priorities. Fiscal prudence Last May the NLEC held a CEO Roundtable with member CEOs from some of the largest and most successful employers  [...]
NLEC asks federal government to continue focus on sustainability and fiscal restraint
NLEC Executive Director Richard Alexander met with the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister responsible for ACOA today in St. John’s to discuss federal budget priorities. Click here to view submission  [...]
Provincial government initiates review of public sector pensions after multi-year lobby by NLEC
For the last 3-4 years, the NLEC has been lobbying government to reduce our province’s net debt, specifically the $5 Billion in unfunded pension and other post retirement liabilities that make up the largest part of it. Yesterday Premier Kathy Dunderdale announced that government has initiated a review of public sector pensions in consultation with the public sector  [...]
NLEC asks government to reduce spending and restructure pensions at pre-budget consultations
The NLEC has been an advocate for employers during the 2013 pre budget consultations. Executive Director, Richard Alexander stressed the urgency to reduce government spending and restructure the public sector pension plans. Sustainable spending now is extremely important to the future economic success of our province. The NLEC is concerned that without prudent financial management,  [...]
2012 Provincial Budget delivers two out of four NLEC requests
Fails to make tough decisions in two key areas The 2012 Provincial Budget, released Tuesday, delivered on two of the NLEC’s pre-budget requests by reducing government spending to sustainable levels and reviewing government departments for cost savings. The budget failed, however, to make two tough but necessary decisions for our province — how to address our massive  [...]
Federal Budget addresses NLEC requests regarding Employment Insurance and pensions
The 2012 Federal Budget, released yesterday, announced changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) program that address concerns of NLEC members. The Government committed to make EI a more efficient program, to remove disincentives to work and quickly connect people to jobs. Among other changes, Government will “introduce legislation to strengthen and clarify what is required  [...]
NLEC meets with Member of Parliament Kellie Leitch on Employment Insurance and Pension Reform
NLEC Executive Director, Richard Alexander met with Dr. Kellie Leitch, MP for Simcoe-Grey and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and the Minister of Labour as part of federal pre-budget consultations in St. John’s on February 1st. Alexander urged the federal government to develop a long-term plan for debt reduction  [...]
NLEC asks for review of public sector pensions at pre-budget consultations
NLEC Executive Director Richard Alexander addressed Minister of Finance Tom Marshall Friday as part of government’s pre-budget consultations. Alexander urged government to develop an aggressive and proactive plan for debt reduction that should include evaluation and reform of the current public sector pension plan. In his opening presentation, Marshall told attendees that unfunded pension liabilities  [...]
The NLEC has been in the media recently taking exception to the NL Public Sector Pensioners Coalition’s (NLSPC) calls for increased pension benefits. The NLPSPC has said they intend to make this an election issue. The NLEC believes this request amounts to calls for special treatment of one group at the expense of all tax  [...]