"There remains much secrecy surrounding the government’s settling of the strike by VON workers in Corner Brook," said Jones. "I asked for details about any proposals that were sent to government and the terms of reference for the palliative care program that was announced. The Minister of Health and Community Services today confirmed that no proposal exists.

"Government continues to cover up the truth about the settlement of the strike. This was the Premier’s plan without any consultation with any government officials. The Premier contravened the Financial Administration Act by promising funding for a palliative care project that siphoned wage increases for workers. Is it a coincidence that this settlement was achieved on the same day that a protest was planned at his golf tournament in Corner Brook? No proposal was forwarded to government by the VON and it is obvious that the Premier acted unilaterally to end the strike to save his own personal image, a decision that sacrificed both the Minister and Deputy Minister of Health.

"The Minister has also failed to release the full terms of reference for the palliative care program that was announced. I requested this information on several occasions and the Minister refuses to release the facts to the public."

Jones says the cost of the Premier’s decision to end the strike remains unknown. "Other home care agencies are waiting to hear from government about what the commitment to the VON will mean for them. Government must treat all agencies equally in the province.

"The greatest cost for government as a result of this decision is the unnecessary termination package that must be paid to a former civil servant. If the Premier had taken the advice of the Minister and Deputy Minister, he would not have lost a cabinet minister and a civil servant would not have been sent home at great cost to taxpayers."