Nurses' union rejects province's offer

Contract talks have broken off between the Newfoundland and Labrador government and the province's nurses' union.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Nurses' Union said thegovernment made an offer Thursday that is nowhere near what it wants.

The province, however, said the latest offer is the best it plans to make.

The nurses want pay increases oftwo per cent for the first year of the contract, and five per cent for each of the next two years.

The province has offered zero, three and three per cent over three years.

Union president Debbie Forward said the government needs to bend on the issues if it wants nurses to stay in the province.

"They're not going to stay in this province for casual work, low wages, cutting your sick leave in half," said Forward.

"So government has some choices to make, and it's not ... that they can't afford it anymore."

Provincial budget a factor: minister

However, Finance Minister Loyola Sullivan said money is a factor.

He said government must keep a balanced budget, so he's offering the same package that has been accepted by other unions in the province, including the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association.

Sullivan said there is no point in having further talks.

"We've got to the point where we've reached the final offer of what government can do," said Sullivan Friday.

"I don't see the point in waiting for three, or four, or five, or eight, or 10 months and say, 'Here's our final offer.' We've reached that point."

The union wants talks to continue— but if they don't, the union said it might resort to strike action.

However, that move would be several months away.

The nurses have been working without a contract since last June 2005.