ST. JOHN’S, Nfld. – Plans are underway that will see Newfoundland’s Liberal government introduce an extensive series of changes to the Labour Relations Act.

Among others, one of the updates will slap stronger penalties on unions or employers who encourage workers to be part of a wildcat strike or lockout.

Most of the revisions, mind you, deal with the way the law looks at so-called special projects, such as the construction of the Hibernia oil platform. Labour Minister Anna Thistle told local media there has to be a flexible work environment if industry is to grow.

Last October, the province apparently asked an outside firm to look at the labor relations climate in the province. The consultant came back with 17 recommendations, seven of which require the law to be rewritten.