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NSGEU/NUPGE is optimistic that the strong collective message members have sent will help in the next step of bargaining.
Halifax (14 Jan. 2016) — Members of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE) who work at Cape Breton University (CBU) delivered a very strong show of support to their bargaining committees last night as the bargaining committees head into conciliation in early February.
Strong strike vote backs members' proposals in bargaining
“One hundred per cent of the ballots cast by these members were in favour of strike action, if it is necessary, to achieve a decent contract,” said NSGEU President Joan Jessome, “This vote was a clear show of confidence and support to the bargaining committees that the members are willing to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure their next agreement is fair.”
The members are acutely aware that students are dealing with paying higher tuition, and simply want to ensure that faculty and staff at CBU are staying on par with other post-secondary institutions throughout the province.
Pay equity, workload and hours of work are key issues at the bargaining table
The key issues at the bargaining table are hours of work, concerns over workload and wage equality with their counterparts doing similar work at CBU and at other universities in Nova Scotia.
There are two separate bargaining committees representing the teachers and maintenance workers of at CBU and they head into conciliation on February 2 and 3, respectively.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 360,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE