Proposed Hydro One privatization eerily similar to Nova Scotia Power sell-off
Today, electricity prices in Nova Scotia are higher than in any other province.
April 2015
Second annual survey of women's shelters confirms the need for more resources
There simply are not enough resources to meet the demand for services. - Lise Martin, Executive Director
Community-based workers holding government to its word
Workers and reps call for government accountability delivering promised funding.
18 months on strike: Help get these members back to work!
"This is a profitable company that is trying to increase their bottom line on the backs of workers. It's unacceptable, and we need to help them understand this." — James Clancy, NUPGE National President.
Toronto (29 April 2015) — Members of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) employed by WHL Management Limited have been on strike for over 18 months and they need your help to reach a fair contract.
"Put food in the Ontario budget" information picket
Ontario is a wealthy society — and Kathleen Wynne is imposing austerity on people who work for low wages and who receive social assistance, rather than raising revenue by making the wealthy pay their fair share.
NUPGE’s Social Justice Solidarity Fund contributes to earthquake relief in Nepal
“We are also encouraging our members to support relief efforts for the people of Nepal struck by this weekend’s massive earthquake." — James Clancy, NUPGE National President.
Too many workers are dying on the job!
April 28 is the Day of Mourning for Workers Injured and Killed on the Job. Union's have struggled for decades to make workplaces safer but much more needs to be done!
NAPE raises alarm about ambulance shortages
"There were 782 calls for help ... [when no ambulances were available], 225 of which were considered high priority," says NAPE President Elect Jerry Earle. "These numbers are truly frightening.”
St. John's (28 April 2015) — The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE/NUPGE) is voicing its concerns about increases in "red alerts" on the Northeast Avalon.
Family reunited with paramedic heroes
“This is a perfect example of the value that skilled EMS professionals bring to Albertans." — Elisabeth Ballermann, HSAA President
Conservatives spend $525 million to create jobs outside Canada
Even though Volkswagen is the second-largest automaker in the world, it does not have plants in Canada. Now the federal government is rewarding Volkswagen for failing to create jobs here.
After attacking rights of health care workers, Nova Scotia Liberals now attacking university workers
"How many court challenges and Supreme Court of Canada decisions will it take for this government to realize that the right to strike is a constitutional right?" asks NSGEU/NUPGE President Joan Jessome.
SGEU fires up members to support public assets at annual Convention
“This government has been stealthy and aggressive in its sell off of our public assets. That represents an immediate and permanent threat to our education, roads, health care, and all the services that make our province great." — Bob Bymoen, SGEU President
Wynne Liberals are letting Bay Street dictate the budget says Thomas
“The same people are trying to tell us that more privatization will solve the problems that privatization created. It’s a process that is good for Bay Street but bad for Ontario." — Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President.
Toronto (23 April 2015) — Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) accused the Wynne Liberals of letting Bay Street dictate the provincial budget.
Federal government gives away Canadian Wheat Board
“Three years ago the Canadian Wheat Board was valued at $1 billion. Today it’s being given away to a U.S. multinational and Saudi Arabian government,” said James Clancy, NUPGE National President.
Ontario CCACs making patients choose between care and support for their caregiver
Support for striking workers continues to grow. Last week, Tammy McCormick Ferguson, a patient of CarePartners, who communicates through an iPad because of a neurological disorder that has left her non-verbal, sent a note to the striking staff and to the media calling the nurses’ working conditions “appalling,” comparing their compensation to that of “dog walkers.”
Federal Budget - The high costs of low taxes
In this pre-election budget, the Conservative government is taking public money and giving it to people who need it the least.
NAPE celebrates Administrative Professionals Week
April 19 to 25 is Administrative Professionals Week in Newfoundland and Labrador.
BCGEU instructors at BCIT overwhelmingly approve strike vote
Vocational instructors back bargaining proposals with support for strike.
OPSEU says court decision disappointing
OPSEU/NUPGE waiting for full court transcript before deciding on possible appeal.
BCGEU Administrative Services members launch Breakaway campaign
Survey results reveal workload a major issue for administrative services workers.
SGEU joins campaign to support public services
Just launched Own it! project gives Saskatchewan people chance to say YES to public services.
NSGEU supports fundraiser for families of workplace tragedy
Get your walking shoes on! Take part in the Threads of Life 5-km walks in May!
Ontario court case over SAMS starts Wednesday
“There are people who have been evicted from their apartments because the government rent cheque didn’t come through. I don’t think the Minister understands the magnitude of this. If she does understand, her hard-heartedness is off the scale.” — Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President
A Just and Fair Alberta: Priorities for Change
Instead of accepting even more cutbacks, Public Interest Alberta is urging citizens to use the opportunity of this important election to advocate for these priorities for change, which will result in stronger community services supported by more equitable taxation policies.
Global Day of Action for a $15 minimum wage and decent work
"It is unconscionable that corporate employers who are making massive profits refuse to provide fundamental working conditions to their employees." — James Clancy, NUPGE President
Nova Scotia rally to oppose government cuts to public services and jobs
Loss of public services and good jobs spark protests in Nova Scotia.
MADD Canada says public safety could suffer under Ontario's plan to allow grocery stories to sell liquor
"The concern is not about the location of the sales, the concern is who is actually doing the selling," says MADD Canada CEO Andrew Murie said. "Provided these outlets are run by the LCBO and staffed by trained LCBO personnel, with their established commitment and attention to responsible alcohol sales and social responsibility practices, then we do not believe there would be significant risks."
CarePartners nursing and administrative staff strike
“This is an agency that has had trouble retaining skilled nursing staff yet has been unwilling to budge on the working conditions and compensation issues that are leading to that exodus.” — Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President
BCGEU and Vancouver Island University ratify five-year collective agreement
The new collective agreement includes a wage increase of at least 5.5 per cent over the life of the contract, local improvements and language that better supports the faculty’s work.
Poll shows Manitobans’ top budget priority is protecting services
"Manitobans have sent a very clear message that acting to protect the services families depend on is at the top of the list by a significant margin." — Michelle Gawronsky, MGEU President
CLC joins national beer can boycott against Crown Holdings: Union members urged to buy their beer in bottles, not cans
Crown's Toronto plant is one of its top producers but the company provoked a strike in 2013 by demanding that new hires would be paid 42 per cent less for doing the same work as current employees. When existing employees said no, Crown demanded all workers accept an across the board 33 per cent wage cut.
Bad news budget for people of Nova Scotia, public services
Budget signals start of sell-off of public assets into private hands.
HSABC President says summit on violence "a good start"
"I thank Minister Lake for taking up my call to action and inviting a wide range of health care workers, management and specialists to exchange frank ideas about the scope of the problem, and pathways to prevention." — Val Avery, HSABC President
Alberta election law muzzles advocacy campaign website that calls for corporate tax increases
Better Way Alberta campaign site will be shuttered to comply with law that ‘undermines free speech’
LCBO workers to put “boots to the ground” in fight against privatization
“If Kathleen Wynne thinks this is going to be a cakewalk down the aisle of privatized beer and wine she ought to think again.” — Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President
Court declares Alberta government prohibition on strikes unconstitutional
Government has one year to make changes to Alberta's labour laws that violate workers' Charter rights.
CFLR to host forum on Supreme Court of Canada decisions on labour rights
Sessions at CFLR Forum will examine particular aspects of the three Supreme Court of Canada decisions released in January 2015, discuss their implications for the Canadian labour movement and consider the impact the decisions will have on future Charter litigation by unions in Canada.
MGEU launches membership survey
Your chance to tell the union what you think!
Consultants’ SAMS report avoids the real issue: OPSEU
“The report says that capacity and training ‘are areas requiring attention.' Well, duh! The front-line staff have been saying that since November, and it would not have cost the government $300,000 to listen to them.” — Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President
NBU responds to New Brunswick budget
Concerns about privatization and cuts to public services follow budget.
Ontario’s response to people with developmental disabilities “a cruel hoax”
New direct-funding Passport program for people with developmental disabilities is a clear privatization of services.
Alberta’s repealed Bill 45 violates international human rights
The ILO declares Bill 45's "penal sanctions" to be "contrary to freedom of expression and principles of freedom of association."
Unnecessary delays making overcrowding in corrections worse in Saskatchewan
Crowded conditions lead to increased tensions and more violence. This is a safety issue for workers and inmates.” — Bob Bymoen, SGEU President
Program closure in Toronto leaves gaping hole in mental health services
“I do know that organizing the staff and negotiating a first contract with Saint Elizabeth Health Care was extraordinarily difficult, and the employer was very clear that they did not want to deal with a union in any way, shape or form." — Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President