The Honourable Pat Mella, Provincial Treasurer, announced today the government's decision to permanently staff 495 positions within the civil service. This decision stems from amendments made to the Civil Service Act during the last session of the Legislature that will enable many of government's long-standing casual employees the opportunity to apply for internal competitions.
Minister Mella noted the proclamation of the amendments, and government's subsequent decision is a milestone in the on-going process to bring order to the government's casual hiring practices. The proclamation is effective March 1, 1999.
"This decision affirms the government's commitment to bring equity to our hiring practices for existing casual positions," said Minister Mella. "The provincial government currently has employees on its casual payroll that have been without a pension or job security for as long as 20 years. Completion of phase one of this important initiative is the first step to provide casual employees security of tenure and access to important benefits they never had before."
Minister Mella noted all departments throughout government worked hard to assess their casual hiring requirements. "The result of this collaborative effort is that we can begin the staffing process, assist departments to develop long-term human resource plans and bring stability to government's hiring practices."
The amendments to the legislation will not increase the size of the civil service. "This is not an exercise in expanding government's payrolls. This is simply affording fairness to many of our existing employees."
She noted letters explaining the casual hiring process will be sent this week to more than 400 casual employees confirming their eligibility to compete for permanent positions. "Over the next year the Public Service Commission will conduct merit-based competitions, in full accordance with the Civil Service Act and the collective agreement, for each and every one of the positions identified for permanent staffing."
The minister also stated the renewal process will continue with a separate, but parallel initiative for seasonal jobs. "An important first step was the passage of legislation in the last session of the Legislature to enable satisfactory seasonal employees to be automatically re-offered their jobs in succeeding years. This accountable process will break a hundred-year cycle that succeeding governments have participated in – a cycle that has not served Islanders well."
Minister Mella said today's announcement is an outcome of the November 12, 1998 Throne Speech. "The government is following through on its commitment to its employees, and, in particular its front-line staff. As Provincial Treasurer I recognize the public expects government to make its hiring practices more accountable. We are moving in that direction with today's announcement."