Value of Public Services

Canadian public sector unions along with the European Federation of Public Service Unions release study arguing that the deal is fundamentally flawed.

Rally and concert held to back striking workers of the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the Canadian War Museum. NUPGE has made a significant contribution to worker's hardship fund.

Underfunding and no-deficit policy at BC Institute of Technology means students and staff have fewer options.

"The Work Ability Centre is renowned for the quality of their programming. If anything, it should be expanded, not closed down." Darryl Walker, president BCGEU/NUPGE

Paper from Alberta’s Parkland Institute and the CCPA see a business model based on maximizing profit and share value creates significant environmental, social, economic, and political problems for Canada.

Ignores restrictions imposed by Canada's top court when sections of Bill 29 were struck down as unconstitutional.

On November 6th the Government of Manitoba and MGEU will recognize the importance of highlighting the work of Manitoba's Community Social Service Workers and to acknowledge their vital contribution to our communities.

The private consultants behind the eHealth spending scandal weren’t able to contain themselves from pinching the public purse for every last dime." - Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

804 people surveyed across the province in mid-September by NRG Research Group.

'Replacing the provincial liquor board system with a privatized system of retail alcohol sales will increase alcohol-related problems and carry substantial human, social and economic costs.'

The decision proved to be unpopular among parents and teachers and sparked a flurry of complaints to the ministry.

'This government thinks profits instead of people and this is toxic to our vibrant Crowns.'' - Wendy Sol, Save Our Saskatchewan Crowns (SOS).

What will re-elected Campbell government do with proposal to radically dismantle public services?

Abuse of casual workers is the key issue. The LCBO makes more than $200,000 a year per worker ($1.6 billion) yet casual workers earn less than $20,800 a year.

Private British Columbia highway contractors rewarded by Liberal government of Premier Gordon Campbell despite repeatedly failing safety inspections.

'Opening these new specialty wine stores is just a way of turning liquor sales over to private interests.' - SGEU president Bob Bymoen.

BCGEU survey finds 93% of all private store prices higher than government-run stores. None were lower.

BCGEU responds to bogus suggestion by Vancouver Province writer on NDP and beer prices.

'Why not leave the front line service positions alone and explain the million dollars spent on consultants?' - NBUPPE.

'Ministry of Transportation needs to take back control of costs and operational outcomes to determine value for money.'

'Sandwich generation' needs help coping simultaneously with children and aging parents.'

'Our public services are an unbeatable deal.... we get back much more than the amount we pay in taxes.'

'Administrative services workers are critical to strong workplaces and to delivering effective and efficient services to families and communities.' - James Clancy

Canadian Health Coalition challenges CMA president Dr. Robert Ouellet to stop misleading Canadians about private, for-profit health care.

'We will be discussing the value of public services, especially during a recession when our services are required more than ever.' - SGEU president Bob Bymoen.

'The Campbell government is to blame for this troubling situation because it's failed to properly enforce standards.' - BCGEU president Darryl Walker

'80% of hospitals are sinking into debt while the equivalent of 5,000 full-time jobs are expected to be eliminated this year alone.'

Province-wide SGEU campaign features firefighters, highways workers, social workers and corrections workers.

'A loss of that magnitude is akin to losing three steel mill plants in Hamilton.' - OPSEU president Warren (Smokey) Thomas. [Updated with detailed critique.]

'Wouldn’t the profits made by McKesson Canada be better used in the public system?' - Joan Jessome.

'The absence of a staffing standard has already compromised quality care in the drive to maximize profits.'

Why are several Canadian provinces cutting back at a time when the economy needs stimulus across the board, asks NUPGE's Larry Brown.

NBUPPE says New Brunswickers will feel the impact in lost services.

Message to Premier Dalton McGuinty: Please fund our hospitals adequately to resolve their deficits and stop the cuts.

'We made a commitment before the last election that we would not be privatizing the liquor stores.' - Dan D'Autremont.

Investigation indicates widespread abuses by private operators who are benefiting from millions in public funding.

Beware of child care property development/leaseback schemes, proposals to expand for-profit child care and pressure to reduce quality standards.

Musings by premier are a big setback for efforts to rebuild public sector and deal with recruitment and retention following damage caused by Liberal cuts in 2001 and 2004.

'The government has indicated that they are going to cut up to 25% cent of the public service.' - Tom Mann.

'Be reassured though that your collective agreements contain some very strong employment security provisions that the government is legally bound to respect.' - Darryl Walker.

'Line staff are all too aware of wasteful spending, especially the use of outside contractors.' - Darryl Walker.

The role that public sector workers played in fighting the fire - and saving lives - has not received the recognition that it deserves.  Public sector workers have been at the forefront of responding to the disaster.

National Union components, the Health Sciences Association of BC and the British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union, are among the more than 200 organizations to sign onto an open letter calling for a commitment to a comprehensive poverty reduction plan.

CRTC decision on Internet throttling pits 'innovation and free speech versus monopoly'.  Canadians encouraged to get involved in the debate over Canada's open Internet and 'Net Neutrality' -- before a vital February 16 deadline.

Colleges have asked Ontario Labour Relations Board to deny application for certification outright - want the ballot boxes to remain sealed and they don’t want the votes to be counted.  Union calls on Minister to act.

As the number of unemployed grows the National Union is demanding the federal government move quickly to fix the Employment Insurance program.

Conservatives' plans in child care leading to shrinking number of child care spaces and they have chosen to ignore the crisis in the recent federal budget.

BCGEU president Darryl Walker concerned by potential impact on frontline services.

'In tough times it is important that our governments show leadership and make smart policy choices that are in our long term interests,' say James Clancy and Peter Olfert. 

'Frontline public sector workers were in Ottawa recently to urge the federal government to make public services and social programs a priority in the Jan. 27 federal budget.'

British study examines the 'economic shock' following the collapse of the former Soviet Union and the horrific human toll that accompanied mass privatization.

Frontline public sector workers are urging Canada's first ministers to make funding for public services and social programs a priority in the federal economic stimulus package.

Frontline public sector workers are urging Canada's first ministers to propose a stimulus package that supports families by investing in public services.

Canadians want greater investment in public services for families. A new poll indicates citizens will back stimulus measures that support — not cut — government services.

'Now is definitely not the time to cut back on public services or public sector wages.' - Warren (Smokey) Thomas

OPSEU says fight to restore public sector out-patient physio services will continue.

MGEU debunks claim that alcohol is just another commodity like blue jeans.

Sides with mayor who refused to bargain seriously with striking drivers.

'The problem is that the costs are still there. Taxpayers pay regardless of how the financing is arranged.'

With P3s - The only winner is the private sector contractor.

The Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union (SGEU/NUPGE) has launched a new campaign to promote the value of public services.

'We urgently need an immediate moratorium on any further privatization deals.' - George Heyman, BCGEU

Despite ceaseless bashing by political conservatives, government programs and policies improve our daily lives in countless ways.

By Ish Theilheimer

NUPGE among supporters of new website

OPSEU asks hard questions about firm charging $7,500 for treatment not covered by OHIP

BCGEU says Campbell Liberals failing to consult in spirit of historic Supreme Court of Canada decision

Good news for MHA employees merging with MHRC

OPSEU says report echoes concerns it has expressed on many occasions

Outrageous private profits and secrecy condemned by Ontario Health Coalition

'Decision won't stand without a challenge.' - OPSEU president Warren (Smokey) Thomas

Information kit helps British Columbia drivers evaluate road maintenance

'When something looks too good to be true - it usually is.' - Shelley Ward, PEIUPSE

35,000 long-term beds but no mention of additional staff

Billion-dollar British IT privatization gamble runs into trouble

Business community lobbying aggressively for privatization in Nov. 7 election campaign

'The province has a huge surplus and it makes no sense.'

West Coast Environmental Law, assisted by the British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union, has released a damning report on the provincial environment. It documents a dramatic reduction in enforcement and compliance under the Campbell Liberal government.

'Leaving for higher wages elsewhere.' - Carol Furlong

Exploring solutions to excessive caseloads and workplace stress

'Successive governments have undervalued the services they provide.' - Carol Furlong

The 20 million-strong international public service trade union federation holds its centennial congress in Vienna. PSI delegates meet in congress every five years.

Dalton McGuinty would keep LCBO system as it is; John Tory is open to privatization
 

OPSEU makes food safety an issue in the Oct. 10 Ontario election campaign

Why is John Tory so eager to push Ontario into more U.S.-style health care delivery? 

'It strikes fear in the heart of the workforce and the public that consume government services.' - Warren (Smokey) Thomas

25-year deal puts taxpayers on the hook for untold billions in undefined future rent and maintenance costs

Members divided on privatization ideology of incoming CMA president Brian Day of Vancouver.

Group of organizations says doctors should evaluate health care in the same way they assess patients.

(Aug 15, 2007) -- 'The CMA is undermining the most fundamental premises of our national Medicare system – health care is not a commodity that should be bought or sold. It is a common good and needs to be treated and respected in this manner.'

Report by the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) says long wait times for physiotherapy treatment or occupational therapy are affecting vulnerable patients.

Recruitment and retention are 'huge issues' in all health care fields in which the NSGEU represents workers – and privatization is not the answer

'There is no place for the profit motive when it comes to guaranteeing the security of citizens.' - Leah Casselman

User fees could be next, OPSEU warns

Canada's next prime minister is the only federal leader who refused to sign The Workers' Bill of Rights