July 2014

HSAA backs campaign for new Misericordia Hospital

"The public needs to connect the dots between the broken provincial revenue system and the broken Misericordia Hospital." — Michael Parker, HSAA Vice-President Human Resources.

MGEU hosting Fairness Day on August 6

Join the Fairness Express at the Legislature to call for quality public services, tax fairness, good jobs and strong labour rights!

NAPE members at Country Ribbon ratify new collective agreement

Members negotiate wage increases, improvements to leave provisions and contract language.

NSGEU urges Nova Scotians to support public rural liquor stores

NSGEU/NUPGE says that keeping good unionized jobs in rural Nova Scotia, and keeping the sale and distribution of alcohol out of private hands, are important to all of us.

B.C. Labour Board rules IKEA commits unfair labour practices

The British Columbia Labour Board rules IKEA commits unfair labour practices and orders damages to be paid.

Germany may reject proposed CETA agreement

In what may be another black eye for the Conservative government, there are reports that the German government may reject the proposed Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) over the inclusion of Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provisions.

Alberta remains one of the most dangerous places in Canada to work, especially for young workers

A recent survey showed that 49.7% of 797 adolescents surveyed had at least one workplace injury in the previous year.

BCGEU urges people to Shop Public! at B.C. government liquor stores

The British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union is encouraging people to buy their wine, beer, and spirits at publicly owned liquor stores where they enjoy better selection and lower prices.

Global Union urges WTO to deal with development issues

Public Services International writes to World Trade Organization (WTo) members urging that they not bow to pressure from G20 countries to accept the proposed Trade Facilitation Agreement without addressing development issues.

Is PEN recent target in politically motivated tax audits?

Conservative government seen as using tax audits as way to silence critics.

All Together Now! campaign's national tour maps out road to fairness

Check out our map to see how much ground we've covered on the road to fairness!

Nova Scotians: Have your say on health care!

The Government of Nova Scotia wants input on how to restructure the health care system in the province. Fill out the online survery to make sure your voice is heard.

PEI should apply same changes made to workers' pensions to deputy ministers’ pensions

PEI deputy ministers will no longer receive benefits for two pension years for every one year of work, but government wants to increase base pay by $50,000.

SCC rules that case on EI contributions "bound to fail"

Arguments fail to convince the Supreme Court of Canada to rule in favour of contributors to employment insurance.

SGEU members at Crop Insurance working hard to assist families after flooding

Compensation for claimants should be received by the end of July 2014.

Clement wrong on issue of federal public service workers' sick leave, again

For the second time this year, Tony Clement, president of the Treasury Board, has his figures proven wrong on the federal public service sick leave program.

New studies show strong correlation between declining union density and rising income inequality

For every ten per cent increase in union membership, there would be a projected decline in income inequality between 2.5 and 3 percent.

BCGEU welcomes new union members at Vancity

Visa Centre staff join growing number of Vancity BCGEU/NUPGE members.

MGEU members on the frontline of emergency response

"I’m so thankful to see all of our members on the front lines and behind the scenes doing everything they can to keep people and their homes out of harm’s way." — Michelle Gawronsky, MGEU President.

A message from OPSEU's paramedics: Be safe around the pool

There are approximately 500 drownings/year in Canada.

Fairness Express talks to students in Walkerton about the value of quality public services

Quality public services are vital to the health of our communities.

Overcrowding and gang-driven violence move corrections system closer to crisis, says SGEU

“Government decision-makers need to act now to reduce the potential for violence. Until significant changes are made, the safety of the public, inmates and corrections staff is at risk." — Bob Bymoen SGEU Presdient.

BCGEU president Stephanie Smith meets with B.C. premier

Productive first meeting for BCGEU President and B.C. Premier.

NUPGE sends solidarity to UK public sector workers on strike for better wages and against government policy

"We urge the government to come to the table in good faith, clearly understanding the role public service workers play in strengthening our society and our economy, to negotiate fair wages and working conditions." — James Clancy, NUPGE National President.

President's Commentary: U.S. and Canadian Supreme Courts take different views on labour rights

“The U.S. Supreme Court decision is disturbing to both U.S. and Canadian workers. It gives further fodder to those anti-union corporate extremists and right-wing politicians on both sides of the border to continue their ongoing assault on labour rights and the ability of unions to effectively represent working people.”

First agreement ratified for OPSEU members at CML/Lifelabs

Collective agreement brings wages up, establishes fair working conditions and procedures in the workplace.

Cuts to refugee health care puts lives at risk, says Federal Justice

Federal Court rules that the Conservative government's cuts to health care are "cruel and unusual treatment" and amount to violations of equality rights in Canada.

Supreme Court makes landmark ruling on land title rights

"The Canada I want to be a part of is respectful to us as a people. It’s a new Canada today, and it’s a better Canada because it now includes us." — Chief Joe Alphonse, Tl’etinqox Government, Tsilhqot’in National Government Tribal Chairman.

Editorial supports BCGEU call for more support for social workers

Vancouver (04 July 2014) — A recent editorial published in the Victoria Times Colonist reinforces something the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) has been fighting for over the years: more resources to support social workers.

Read the full editorial below

Privatization proponents get even more shameless

“Having the person who increased the deficit by cutting corporate taxes suggest we solve the problem he created by privatizing more public services makes the strategy privatization proponents are following unbelievably obvious.” — James Clancy, NUPGE National President.