Registries should remain public — privatization will cost Nova Scotians

NSGEU/NUPGE responds to provincial government's announcement that they are progressing to the next step in their bid to privatize Nova Scotia’s Registry of Motor Vehicles, Land Registry, and Registry of Joint Stocks.

Halifax (22 July 2015) — The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE) is responding to comments by Service Nova Scotia Minister Mark Furey that the provincial government is assessing private sector interest in running any or all of the registries of land, motor vehicles and joint stock companies.

Union fighting back

NSGEU President Joan Jessome has been responding to the announcement in the media.

Jessome and the NSGEU/NUPGE are skeptical about Service Nova Scotia Minister Mark Furey’s assurances that this decision will not impact salaries, benefits, or union affiliation. The union warns that if privatized, the working conditions, job security, and benefits will all be at risk in future rounds of negotiations.

Reminiscent of Nova Scotia Power debacle

NSGEU President Jessome is likening this decision to the one made by a previous government to privatize Nova Scotia Power: where Nova Scotians now have higher rates, bad service, and no accountability.

Jessome warns that if the province privatizes these valuable services, it will be bad news for the cost and quality of the service and will be very difficult, if not impossible, to reverse.

NSGEU/NUPGE reminds the government that Nova Scotians did not elect them to privatize and dismantle the public services families count on.

The union vows to continue to advocate against the privatization of these valuable public services.

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