Municipalities have sought changes to the way binding arbitration works for unionised police and firefighters but those changes are running into opposition and not just from organised labour.
Provincial Green Party leader David Coon is voicing his opposition, saying the proposed changes violate an agreement under which unionised police and firefighters gave up their right to strike.
The municipalities have argued the state of their finances should be part of the equation when the arbitrator makes his decision.
A candidate for the leadership of the Provincial Conservative party, Brian MacDonald, the M-L-A for Fredericton-West Hanwell, is also voicing his opposition. He charges there has been a lack of consultation.
Premier Brian Gallant, in the wake of the criticism, now says more discussions will take place before anything is done.
