May 2016

“The new government has made a public commitment to keep public services public and to protect them and that’s what our members will be watching for in the budget.” — Michelle Gawronsky, MGEU President

Hard Rock Casino employees represent the second largest group of casino workers to unionize with the BCGEU/NUPGE in the past six months. 

Help! My landlord is a tax dodger: awkward times at the CRA.

Member survey identified issues to take to the bargaining table. 

“At a time when Premier Stephen McNeil insists we cannot afford cost of living increases for public sector workers we all rely on every day — nurses; education and health care workers; civil servants — it is shocking he is willing to pay one man almost half a million dollars for one round of contract negotiations." — Jason MacLean, NSGEU President

MGEU President, Michelle Gawronsky says the rejection was partly in response to a lack of respect shown at the bargaining table toward DSM members.

“I don’t want us to be apologetic for who we are and what we do, the wages we make and the pensions we have. I want us to say, 'you should have it too,’ and I want us to be able to inspire the rest of Nova Scotians to be union members.” — Jason McLean, NSGEU President

“This should be a wake-up call to the government. How many more of these incidents do we need to see before the Liberals take notice?" — Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President

As the Canadian government introduces an amendment to the Human Rights Act to make it illegal to discriminate against anyone based on gender identity and expression, the National Union wants to remind everyone on International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia that this is a struggle that we all need to be engaged in. NUPGE calls on Ottawa to ensure there is funding to build public clinics across the country. 

This new collective agreement achieves 8 of the 11 priorities HSABC's RPNs set for bargaining.

“For the RNAO to come out and say that RPNs have no place in acute care is not only disappointing but offensive as well.” — Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) has signed the Declaration as a demonstration of our commitment to defend collective and individual rights to speak out without fear of reprisal. 

“People can experience a crisis at any time, so crisis workers should be available to help at any time." — Bob Bymoen, SGEU President

Regina (12 May 2016) — Members of the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees Union (SGEU/NUPGE) who work at the Prince Albert Mobile Crisis Unit regret that, due to funding cuts, as of June 1, they will no longer be able to provide services during daytime hours Monday to Friday.

“I think we owe it to Manitobans, and to paramedics, to get this process moving again to continue to improve patient care and provide consistency, transparency, and accountability in the delivery of this vital health care service.” — Michelle Gawronsky, MGEU President

The CLC Rise Up! Human Rights Conference will explore ways to renew the labour movement, celebrate our diversity, and better understand the changing nature of work.

Latest contest winners show us that by encouraging their members to feel valuable and secure, unions help their members provide better service and care to their customers and clients.

“The government knows there is a problem, but seems unwilling to address the real issues." — Jason MacLean, NSGEU acting President

"We support the call for postal banking in communities so people can receive the assistance they need in ways that will help them get out of financial difficulty, not put them further under." — James Clancy, NUPGE National President

“I am deeply concerned for the public employees who have put themselves at risk to assist in the fight. The National Union is immensely proud of the work that wildlands firefighters, first responders and emergency personnel — many of whom are our members — are doing to protect the citizens of Fort McMurray. We also cannot forget the many health professionals who will be on hand to assist those injured or harmed during the crisis.” — James Clancy, NUPGE National President

When people face financial instability, inadequate housing, poor working conditions, low wages, food insecurity, lack of education (the social determinants of health), it is difficult to maintain positive mental health. By organizing and advocating for good jobs, quality public services, fair labour rights and tax fairness, the National Union has created pressure on governments to improve the health of all Canadians.

Early statistics for 2016 suggest levels of violence are increasing and the number of assaults will be even higher this year.

Ontario Superior Court rules that Conservative government's legislating postal workers back to work in 2011 violated their rights to freedom of association and expression.