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"People are frustrated and worried but also hopeful that by working together, we can make a difference." - James Clancy, NUPGE National President.
Ottawa (20 Sept. 2013) - Three provinces, over 2000 kms and hundreds of conversations. That is what has been accomplished on the first week of the National Union of Public and General Employees' All Together Now! campaign's bus tour.
The ATN tour, nicknamed the Fairness Express, kicked off in Halifax, Nova Scotia on September 15 and has been rolling through communities across eastern Canada talking to Canadians about the growing problem of income inequality.
"We've been to New Brunswick, PEI and Nova Scotia," says James Clancy, NUPGE National President, "and that's just in the first week. We've been having some important conversations with people about the direction this country is headed and what they'd like to do about it."
"We're hearing from people who care about the quality of and access to the public services in their community. People are worried about getting a job that will sustain their family, and the prospects for their children. People are wondering why they pay their taxes every year and billion dollar corporations hide their profits offshore. People are frustrated and worried," Clancy continued, "but also hopeful that by working together, we can make a difference."
Friday night, September 20 the Fairness Express heads to Moncton for a faceoff between the Moncton Wildcats and the Halifax Mooseheads. On Saturday, September 21, you can find the bus in the morning at the Dieppe Farmer's Market, then at the Université de Moncton in the afternoon.
On Sunday, September 22, from 12 p.m -3 p.m. the tour will visit the Cows Creamery North River Causeway and then at the Aids Walk in Tea Tree Provincial Park. On Monday, September 23, the bus ships off for central Newfoundland for a few days. Keep your eye on the All Together Now! campaign website for bus tour stop updates.
"People are happy to see someone fighting for them," says Clancy. "They are realizing that our work, as a union, contributes to the wellbeing of everyone. They know we won't leave them behind."
More information:
ATN animation: Monster in the Closet
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE