Monday, December 14, 2009

An update on high level meetings with officials and frequently asked questions about the proposed sale of NB Power to Hydro Quebec

Over the past month and a half, Local 37 members have had many, many questions about the potential impacts of a sale of NB Power to Hydro Quebec. Since then, I've been working hard to get as much clarification as possible, in order to provide information to members in these uncertain times. I've met with senior officials at NB Power, high level members of the New Brunswick Government including several Ministers and I've met with the CEO of Hydro Quebec on two occasions to raise our concerns and to seek assurances. Those meetings all went well, and I do believe that we will get the items we need to ensure that IBEW members are properly treated.

Although I will need to see the final wording of legislation and have it reviewed by our lawyers, I am increasingly confident that if this sale occurs, we will be able to ensure that most, and perhaps all, of the potential issues created by a sale process will be dealt with in a way that will minimize many of the potential impacts on IBEW members.

I know there are many strong feelings about this sale, but no matter what happens it is critically important that we deal with these issues, and the assurances I've received are significant and should provide some comfort to members.

Based on the information and commitments I have received so far, I've put together a set of "Frequently Asked Questions" and answers that can be read by clicking here.

Please feel free to submit more questions to nbpsale@ibew37.com and I will do my best to post more Questions and Answers in the coming days and weeks.