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Support workers with CDHA gear up for bargaining

Contracting out will once again be an issue of widespread concern for 1,300 support workers.

Halifax (25 June 2010) - Fighting contracting out will be an issue of ongoing importance when support workers for the Capital District Health Authority (CDHA) go to the bargaining table this fall.

The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE) says "bargaining input surveys" from members are now being reviewed to prepare for negotiations when talks begin on behalf of approximately 1,300 CDHA support staff.

"The anti-contracting out campaign that the members of restaurant services did (previously) had a tremendous impact," says Raymond Theriault, president of NSGEU Local 19.

"At this time, we have agreements that there will be no closures or contracting out, but this does not mean that there will not be some changes," he adds in an update to members.

"One of our biggest challenges is making sure the collective agreement is for the benefit of all ... and that it contains improvements for everyone."

Theriault and other members of the NSGEU bargaining committee recently visited "every major CDHA building" and talked to as many workers as possible to help prepare for bargaining.

The bargaining committee is comprised of Theriault and Joe Boudreau, co-chairs; Don White, Patsy Hollis and Gordon Bradley.

"Together, we sent the message that we want restaurants to remain part of CDHA," Theriault adds.

NSGEU President Joan Jessome and the Local 19 executive will host a meeting on July 13 to discuss the latest developments on contracting out.

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