Municipal Sector Update

In October 2009 a joint stakeholder discussion forum was held in Gander which brought together senior labour and employer leaders from the municipal sector interested in exploring sector council development as a means to establishing a shared approach to improving health and safety and return to work practices across all municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador.

This discussion forum resulted in the formation of the Municipal Governance Committee (MGC), a joint labour / employer stakeholder committee committed to leading a study process on behalf of the sector. The process will determine whether a municipal sector safety council is an appropriate approach to assist municipalities with improving health and safety and return to work practices.

The committee is supported by the NLFL, NLEC, the Department of Government Services, the Department of Municipal Affairs and the WHSCC – all of whom participate as ex-officio MGC members.  The target for completion is September 2010.

To help determine whether a municipal sector safety council is an appropriate approach, the MGC is currently conducting an extensive consultation process.  Over the next several weeks this process will conclude and the MGC is expected to make a final recommendation as to whether to establish a sector safety council for the municipal industry.