November 2017

“These webinars are intended to give pension activists, advisory committee members, union officers, and trustees the tools they need to secure and protect decent pensions for our members” — Elisabeth Ballermann, NUPGE Secretary-Treasurer

The MGEU/NUPGE has spoken out about cuts that are driven by the bottom line instead of patient care. The union will continue to urge the Premier and Minister of Health to reverse health care cuts that are putting patient care in jeopardy. 

"Leaving things like the quality of care, safety, monitoring and enforcement to the whims of cabinet places politics ahead of our health care. It's no way to ensure the system will be available to all who need it." — Elisabeth Ballermann, NUPGE Secretary-Treasurer

"The government of Canada needs to take a stand in defense of the majority of internet users to maintain equal access to internet sites and services, and to support our new and developing industries by opposing the implementation of two-tiered access to internet services. In an interconnected world, allowing large companies to control internet access for the many is unacceptable." Larry Brown, NUPGE President

“When working people . . . say what they need, they have the power to get it. Bill 148 is a significant step forward for workers’ rights, and I think every union, community group, and individual who helped make it happen should take a bow.” — Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President

"There must be a shift from a culture of reacting to violence in the workplace, to a culture of violence prevention." — Karen Jackson, PEI UPSE President

Despite her bold declaration in Germany, what Minister Catherine McKenna did not disclose to the world is that Canada continues to mine and export millions of tonnes of coal for other countries to burn, mainly but not exclusively for steelmaking plants. And this will not change.

“These new statistics expose the grotesque and obscene failure of the global economic system. Despite all the fancy promises from our political elites, the rich are getting richer, and income inequality is growing exponentially. And what’s equally morally unconscionable is that our federal Liberal government is doing nothing to stop it.” — Larry Brown, NUPGE President

The contract will be presented to NBU/NUPGE members working as instructors in the community college sector.

Students gathered on November 15 to show solidarity with striking OPSEU/NUPGE college academic workers.

“The number of events that led to emergency calls has increased nearly 36 per cent since 2009, while the population of Alberta has increased by more than 15 per cent. Yet, we have virtually the same number of ambulances." — Mike Parker, HSAA President

"A year and a half may seem a long time, but there are important issues that require urgent attention. British Columbians can't wait a year and a half for real solutions." — Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President

“Canadians have repeatedly expressed their opposition to the TPP, so the Prime Minister has no public mandate to support it,” — Larry Brown, NUPGE President

“Like with liquor sales, the public sale of marijuana would ensure a greater level of social responsibility while also ensuring revenue generated from the sales would go back into other public services such as health and education.” — Michelle Gawronsky, MGEU President

"Climate finance is not a gift. And it’s not charity either. It’s a commitment taken based on the capacity and responsibility of the developed world, so that developing countries can start adapting and preparing their economies to the massive changes ahead." — Elisabeth Ballermann, NUPGE Secretary-Treasurer, at COP23, speaking on behalf of ITUC.

“Negotiation is the only way to go at this juncture. I agree completely with recent statements by the Premier and by Advanced Education Minister Deb Matthews that the solution to this strike is at the bargaining table.” — Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President

“The amount Canada loses to tax havens will drop when the federal government genuinely believes that helping a hungry child is more important than helping the wealthy avoid taxes.” — Larry Brown, NUPGE President

Supporters of public services will rally outside a major privatization conference on November 6 to highlight a new poll showing that more than two-thirds of Ontarians want to keep their public services public.

The 2017–2018 theme for the Purple Ribbon campaign looks at the power of bystanders. Don't stand by. Stand with.

“Our goal will be to make sure politicians cannot claim ignorance when confronted with the appalling damage cutting community service funding has done.” — Larry Brown, NUPGE President

We applaud government for coming forward with these changes. We believe this is a reasonable approach, one that will help both employers and workers alike." — Susie Proulx-Daigle, NBU President

"Currently 16,000 members of my own union who are instructors, librarians and other professional staff in community colleges in the province of Ontario have been on strike for the past 3 weeks on this very issue. Over 60 per cent of the faculty are on short-term contracts, usually 4 months long. They are seeking creation of more permanent positions and equality of wages for contract staff." — Cliff Andstein, NUPGE delegate to PSI World Congress