"I have one word for Premier Brian Tobin: Negotiate," said White. "The Premier is bringing in back-to-work and contract settlement legislation against striking nurses. This is a violation of these workers’ democratic rights to bargain collectively. These rights are no different than other rights for Newfoundlanders. If the government can take these away, will they violate other rights when they become inconvenient?"

White added that the Government of Canada signed the United Nation’s International Labour Organization’s Declaration of Principles which includes protection for the right to bargain collectively and to strike. If the Newfoundland Government brings in back-to-work and contract settlement legislation they will be in violation of this international treaty.

"Don’t violate nurses’ rights, negotiate a contract. It’s the democratic way to a just settlement," concluded White.