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'We are pleased to be part of the process.' - Joan Jessome, NSGEU president.
Halifax (25 Feb. 2010) - Nova Scotia's NDP government is doing something unfamiliar but welcome for public employees across the province.
The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE) says a government-led 'program review' has been taking place behind the scenes with NSGEU members at the same time that Finance Minister Graham Steele has been crisscrossing the province on a high-profile 'back to balance' public tour to deal with provincial finances.
The internal 'expenditure management initiative' (EMI) is an ongoing effort by treasury board officials to gather input from government employees.
The exercise goes back to November when NSGEU president Joan Jessome asked the province to listen to the views of employees when conducting its review. The government agreed.
“We are pleased to be part of the process,” says Jessome. “It will not be easy. NSGEU members are working with government to identify areas where we need more service and others areas where services could be delivered differently — with more efficiency and with no loss of jobs.”
The presidents of all 11 NSGEU public service locals attended a meeting on Feb. 17 along with four civil service board members — ensuring representation from across the province. Eight members from the government attended, representing public service managers and the treasury board.
Following the meeting, local presidents returned to their locals to hold meetings and to consult with members.
Jessome said government officials seemed genuinely open to input from members and have agreed verbally to meet again regularly — perhaps every three months.
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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