Bill 102: Grits & Tories Make Final Pitch

Opposition Leaders in Nova Scotia are pushing South Shore MLA's to break party ranks and vote against a controversial labour law. The NDP government is set to introduce a first contract arbitration bill that would allow for a third party arbitrator to decide the terms of employment in a newly unionized workplace. Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil is hoping to see amendments to Bill 102 so unions and management have more time to negotiate before the arbitration process. "What we're asking them to do is move away from the Manitoba model which is the most offensive - it's the one that Michelin, Sobeys and Clearwater have all express major concerns about - we're asking government to move closer to the Ontario model or quite frankly the model that the federal government uses which means you have to prove someone is bargaining in bad faith before going to arbitration," Meanwhile, Conservative Leader Jamie Bailie is calling on South Shore MLA's Gary Ramey and Pam Birdsall to oppose the bill. Ballie admits its a long-shot but is hoping to get support of five members from the NDP to vote against the legislation. The bill could come up for a vote as early as Thursday.