Supreme Court ruling a major victory for gig-economy workers
It paves a way for granting these workers the employment benefits and the respect they deserve.
June 2020
From jail cells to the legislature
The election of 3 labour leaders who were still in prison was a clear statement by voters that it was anti-labour laws that were wrong, not the strikers.
Letter: Preserve Alberta’s voluntary blood collection system
Brown urges Kenney to oppose the bill that would repeal the Voluntary Blood Donations Act.
Statistics Canada seeks survey responses from people with disabilities and long-term conditions
Results will be used by government organizations such as the Public Health Agency of Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada, and other types of organizations, to evaluate the delivery of health and social services and economic support, and to ensure best practices are adopted when reopening workplaces and public spaces.
Improved public services needed, not more privatization
The report is particularly timely, given how the COVID-19 pandemic has shown both the benefits of quality public services, and the huge price we pay when services are privatized.
NSGEU calls for mandatory masking policy at hospitals
"We are calling on the government and NSHA to ensure a mandatory masking policy for visitors is in place at all hospitals in our province. It is the safe and responsible thing to do." — Jason MacLean, NSGEU President
Jason Kenney betrays Albertans with plan to privatize lab services
“Their decision to move forward with privatizing lab services in Alberta is asinine and will lead to worst outcomes for future outbreaks.” ― Mike Parker, HSAA President
National Indigenous Peoples Day
“This National Indigenous Peoples Day, in the midst of protests by social movements around the world, we must work even harder with our allies to ensure our Indigenous sisters and brothers enjoy the equity and social justice we continue to strive for.” — Larry Brown, NUPGE President
HSABC: Bold thinking, investment in health care workers needed as BC looks ahead
HSABC/NUPGE encouraged the government to be bold in its action, and make the investment needed to maintain and grow a robust and sustainable public health care system.
OPSEU: New hires in Corrections a big step in the right direction
500 new full-time Correctional staff and new capital projects for Kenora and Thunder Bay will turn the tide on the crisis.
NUPGE sends letter to PM of Canada criticizing threat of ISDS cases
Brown urges Trudeau to safeguard the power to regulate in the public interest, and stop foreign investors from suing Canadian taxpayers.
Poll finds fixing long-term care a priority for Ontarians, OPSEU says the time for action is now
“The pandemic is showing us that the cost-cutting and understaffing that go hand-in-hand with privatization can also be deadly.” — Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President
Inequality in work-from-home arrangements
If work-from-home (WFH) arrangements become more prevalent in the post-COVID world, they must be a tool to improve equity, not a hindrance.
Extended deadline — The National Union's scholarship program for 2020
The new deadline for applications is Monday August 24, 2020.
Child care survey reveals pandemic impacts, what's needed for reopening
Providers underlined the need for appropriate financial and staffing resources in order to reopen facilities safely.
Heartbroken over marine worker's death
"Please take a moment to reflect on the loss, to hold your family and loved ones a bit closer tonight, and to remember to stay safe — everyone deserves to come from work safe and sound." — Graeme Johnston.
Raising awareness of elder abuse
"We have a system that looks at care in silos rather than a coherent system that is concerned about health from birth to death. This needs to change." — Larry Brown, NUPGE President
‘Close to unanimous’ — vast majority want health care and long-term care improved
“I’ve been watching politics and polling for a long time, and I’ve never seen numbers like these.” — Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President
Legal victory for workers: judge rules public sector wage freeze legislation unconstitutional
"The act ... is a draconian measure which limits and reduces a union's bargaining power...and inhibits the union's ability to trade off monetary benefits for non-monetary enhancements, such as protection from contracting out, job security, and layoffs. It has left no room for a meaningful collective bargaining process on issues crucial to union memberships." — Justice McKelvey, Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench
People out of work due to COVID-19 can’t be abandoned
“The fact that your government felt it necessary to create the CERB is a damning statement on the damage done by the restrictions on EI coverage and benefits that have been introduced over the years” Larry Brown, NUPGE President
Work standards must change as economy re-opens in wake of COVID-19
“The economy is gradually re-opening now, but it will take years to rebuild the quantity of work back up to a level that fully occupies Canadian workers. And at the same time, we need to repair some obvious and damaging flaws in the quality of work, if we want that reopening to last and succeed.” — Jim Stanford, labour economist
Public services are the foundation to Ontario’s economic recovery
“Many people have said that we can’t go back to the old normal after we’ve got COVID-19 under control. This poll shows how true that really is." — Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida, OPSEU First Vice-President/Treasurer
NUPGE calls on federal government to provide stability for pension plans
“While the vast majority of pension plans have the resources needed to withstand the impact of COVID-19 on their investments, if a plan is forced to sell assets at fire-sale prices to meet its obligations, it will have a devastating effect. Pension plans that are forced to take this step will likely be left with substantial pension deficits that will be very difficult to eliminate." Bert Blundon, NUPGE Secretary-Treasurer
President's Commentary: Cry, the Beloved Country; the USA in crisis.
Let us offer solidarity to our neighbours in the U.S. Let us mourn the deaths, and let us vow to redouble our efforts to keep this poison of racism from growing in Canada.
NUPGE celebrates Pride Month 2020
“We must all stand up against hate, discrimination and injustice — during Pride Month and every day. To our LGBTQI2S members, friends, allies, and community members: we celebrate you and we stand with you.” — Larry Brown, NUPGE President
Canadian Environment Week: Taking action on climate change and biodiversity loss
The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the urgency of these crises and their unequal impacts across regions and communities. The pandemic has also shown us that we can tackle crises when there is political will and social solidarity.