“Front-line support workers are experiencing anxiety, increased workload, and loss of pay related to faulty reporting mechanisms and contact tracing. It’s important to set standardized, contact tracing protocols across every public school board.” — Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President
Occupational Health and Safety
“This tragic death highlights why we have been advocating so strongly for the immediate vaccination of all front-line, health-care workers who put themselves at the greatest risk every day." — Mike Parker, HSAA President
NUPGE Annual Report: 2020 in Review is a look back on what NUPGE accomplished in 2020.
"Canadian governments, employers, and unions all have a role to play in eliminating violence and harassment in the world of work, and to ensure the proper supports are in place for those who are affected. In fact, I believe we have a shared responsibility to do so." — Larry Brown, NUPGE President.
"We need to start taking workplace mental health as seriously as we take traditional, physical health and safety issues." — Michelle Gawronsky, MGEU President
The National Union is encouraging its members and Canadians to complete the survey and to encourage others to participate.
“The Kenora Jail is the most overcrowded institution in the province, with the lowest officer-to-inmate ratio. The ministry’s announcement gives no timeline for deployment of new staff to Kenora. With so few officers watching over so many inmates, the jail has become a human powder keg. Immediate measures must be taken.” — Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President
The increased prevalence of WFH, and the length of time workers are doing it, raises questions about workers’ legal protections for occupational health and safety (OHS). The intersection of WFH and OHS protection is an underexplored topic that will likely present new legal challenges for workers and unions.
Statement from the Nova Scotia Government & General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE) and the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) on the need for a public inquiry into the killing of 22 people in Nova Scotia in April 2020.
The NUPGE paper released today identifies some of the key considerations that workers and their unions should be thinking about when it comes to WFH — as both a temporary and possibly-permanent arrangement.
If work-from-home (WFH) arrangements become more prevalent in the post-COVID world, they must be a tool to improve equity, not a hindrance.
"Please take a moment to reflect on the loss, to hold your family and loved ones a bit closer tonight, and to remember to stay safe — everyone deserves to come from work safe and sound." — Graeme Johnston.
“The government needs to be encouraging social distancing, not making it a financial penalty for reporting to work as an essential worker.” — Bob Bymoen, SGEU President.
“The bottom line is supply issues are governing the day, not worker health and safety. The government knows that if it were up to inspectors, the precautionary principle would be a foundation in any workplace inspection. But plain and simple, inspectors are not being allowed to do their important jobs.” — Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida, OPSEU First Vice-President/Treasurer
“We must recognize that in this extraordinary, unique, and surreal moment of crisis, workers are experiencing unprecedented mental health injuries arising from work-related stress.” ― Larry Brown, NUPGE President
Our frontline health care workers deserve the same level of respect, peace of mind, and protection that is being provided to health care workers in other parts of this country.
OPSEU urges greater attention be paid to community social service workers and vulnerable populations
“You can’t provide emergency housing over a video conference. We need to be there to ensure that they get the safe and supportive housing they need.” — Kareen Marshall, OPSEU Community Agencies Sector Chair
In this time of high stress and growing uncertainty, and as people are spending more time in their homes, the risk of domestic violence is high. Employers and governments must ensure the proper protections and additional resources are in place to support victims and survivors of domestic violence.