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Noon rally in support of four NSGEU workers at Elizabeth Fry Society

Ten times the number of workers employed by the Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia picketed in support of the four women working there who have been trying to reach a collective agreement since unionizing in 2010.

NSGEU information picket at elizabeth fry society of mainland nova scotiaDartmouth (28 June 2012) - A second rally will be staged at the office of Nova Scotia Legal Aid in support of the four women who work for the Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia. They have been trying to negotiate a collective agreement for over two years, since unionizing with the Nova Scotia Government & General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE).

The rally is being held at the Legal Aid offices because many of the Elizabeth Fry Society board members work there.

Yesterday, June 27, forty people showed up to demonstrate their support for the workers who  provide vital support to Nova Scotia women who are trying to break free from lives of addiction, abuse, or crime. Through a variety of programs, including housing and the opportunity to gain valuable work experience at the Our Thyme Cafe, the workers provide support to women who want to make positive changes in their lives.

The workers initially unionized to address concerns over working conditions and their growining inability to carry out their duties effectively.

The Elizabeth Fry Society employees are incredibly committed to what they do, and as is often the case with small non-profit groups, they have had to bear the burden of increasing needs and decreasing funding. These workers haven’t had a raise in more than five years but their workload is constantly increasing.

After months at the bargaining table, they still have not been able to reach a tentative agreement. Last month, the members voted unanimously in favour of strike to back their demands at the table.

A provincial conciliator has declared bargaining at an impasse and the NSGEU/NUPGE members  have been in legal strike position since June 25, but are reluctant to exercise their right to strike because they know how disruptive it could be to the women they’re supporting.

In an effort to push the employer to offer them a respectful contract, their union brothers and sisters in across the labour movement are picketing on their behalf.

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