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New B.C. cabinet must move quickly on key issues

'The BCGEU will work with the provincial government to protect public services.' - BCGEU president Darryl Walker.

Darryl Walker, president of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE)Vancouver (12 June 2009) - The new B.C. cabinet of Premier Gordon Campbell must move quickly to address budget, environment and child protection issues, says the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE).

"The appointment of a new cabinet means it is essential that ministers responsible for a number of key areas move quickly to address the problems in their portfolio," says BCGEU president Darryl Walker.

"Now that the premier is starting to shift on his budget deficit prediction of $495 million, I am concerned that the new minister of finance will be able to ensure that the services British Columbians need during these difficult times are maintained," he says.

"The BCGEU has pledged to work with the government to see that services are maintained in communities hit hard by unemployment and that the government does not worsen the situation by cutting jobs in the public sector."

Walker says the rising number of workers exhausting employment insurance (EI) benefits will increase the income assistance requirements and the province must be sympathetic to the needs of the unemployed.

"This is especially the case for forest workers and those from rural B.C. where there seems to be daily announcements of job losses," he argues.

Walker says the staffing crisis in B.C.'s child protection system must be dealt with by the government and the minister of the environment also must move the province forward to address the climate change file and not claw back budget revenues in carbon taxes.

"The BCGEU will work with the provincial government to protect public services. I hope the new cabinet recognizes the need to take creative approaches," Walker adds.

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