Opposition slams union payouts

Progressive Conservative leader Patrick Brown is accusing the government of incompetence for $2.5-million in special payouts made to teachers’ unions because of a new, two-tiered bargaining process.

Education Minister Liz Sandals acknowledged the payments yesterday, saying they’re because negotiations took longer than expected — but she wouldn’t confirm leaked figures because talks are continuing with elementary teachers.

Labour experts have called the payments “highly unusual.”

Sandals says the payouts won’t be repeated now that the new bargaining system is fully developed.

The public elementary teachers union says it hasn’t received any money and will pay its own expenses.