November 2014

“We’re calling on the B.C. government to guarantee the Ishtar Transition Housing Society keeps these transition houses open.” —  Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President.

OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas says these layoffs are both reckless and short-sighted, and the government needs to reassess their funding priorities, especially in the north.

In Canada, there is no policy in place on intimate partner violence or sexual assault, and we do not have a national action plan to address violence against women. This must change.

“While we are disappointed he did not accept our potential remedy, his ruling leaves open the opportunity that constitutional rights will be respected in his final arbitration decision.” — Joan Jessome, NSGEU President.

“Our province already spends less per person on public services than any other province does. Not enough people have good jobs in Ontario. And not enough people have the quality public services they need. In this round of bargaining, we’re fighting for both.” — Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President.

Tell us Why Unions Matter to you, in whatever form you like, and earn a chance to win one of our $1,000 prizes!

Members of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now Canada (ACORN) in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia held actions to highlight the need for affordable access to the Internet.

“The McNeil government is legislating away the rights of 24,000 health care workers,” says NSGEU President Joan Jessome. 

Congratulations to MGEU/NUPGE member Barry Chetyrbok on being recognized for his valuable contributions to the Apprenticeship system.

The B.C. Government and General Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) report, Choose Children, highlights deficiencies in youth and family services across the province. 

Below you will find information relating to the International Conference on New Forms of Privatization sponsored by the Public Services Foundation of Canada and the National Union of Public and General Employees. The conference was held in Ottawa from October 28 to October 31. You will find links to stories about the conference, as well as the presentations made by the invited speakers. 

With bold new initiatives coming from the world's two largest economies to address climate change, it is time for the Canadian government to finally act!

"The real reason we are having this discussion is because we are, around the globe, being told there are scarce government resources. But that hasn't happened by accident. This is a government-created consequence of self-imposed tax cuts." — Larry Brown, NUPGE Secretary-Treasurer

Toronto (12 Nov. 2014) — The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) has learned that the current “call back” system in London and Middlesex County resulted in a resident waiting 23 minutes for an ambulance after calling 911 during the week of November 3 to November 9.

A new courthouse is an opportunity to address all the problems with the old building.

Toronto (07 Nov. 2014) — Members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) who work in information technology across the province gathered at Queen’s Park on October 27 to tell MPPs to end the privatization of government IT services.

“Whoever designed the system was certainly not putting clients’ and workers’ needs first. Sadly, those who will be the most disadvantaged by this will be the ones who have the least ability to protect themselves." — Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President.

Violence in the workplace, workload, health and safety issues are just a few major challenges community social service workers face.

"Wages are always important. But it’s now more important to make sure that every one of our contracts has clauses that protect public services, our members, and the public interest.  If privatization is being contemplated, we want to ensure that any proposals provide for complete transparency, public accountability, and meaningful public consultation before any service can be privatized," says NUPGE National President James Clancy.