March 2, 2001 The Honourable Chester Gillan, in his capacity as Acting Minister Responsible for the PEI Public Service Commission, has today indicated that Government Members would respect the collective bargaining process and will not be attending a series of meetings organized by the Union of Public Sector Employees' Health and Community Services bargaining unit which have been scheduled for union members during the week of March 5, 2001. Minister Gillan indicated that the Union and the Health Negotiation Committee bargaining teams have been unable to reach agreement on a number of issues, and the parties have agreed to use the services of a third party mediator/arbitrator to resolve the matters in dispute. Minister Gillan went on to say that the concept of involving Government Members in the middle of the collective bargaining process would be inappropriate. The Union and Government have agreed to mediation/arbitration, and the Minister believes this is the proper avenue that should be followed. Minister Gillan stated that "Government is fully committed to allowing the mediator/arbitrator process to work and will abide by the decision and results of that process."Media Contact: Island Information Service