CUPE Nova Scotia hosts first ever anti-Black racism panel discussion

A heartfelt, uncomfortable and necessary conversation by CUPE members about their experiences with racism in the workplace and the union. In response to recent events, members of CUPE Nova Scotia’s Human Rights Committee and Division Executive came together to discuss what could be done, as a union, to better serve our racialized members. The group decided a good first step was to host a panel discussion about anti-Black racism in our union, which took place via Zoom on July 8, 2020. It is the hope of everyone who participated that, as trade unionists, we do better to represent Black members, by supporting their voices in our union and in our workplaces. Panelists included Calvin Scott, African NS student support worker and member of CUPE 5047; Yolanda McClean, CUPE National diversity vice-president, racialized workers and a member of CUPE 4400; and Donna McCarthy, CUPE NS Human Rights Committee co-chair and member … Read more…

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Call a Day Until They Pay – Wage Parity for all LPNs

On June 15, 2020, Arbitrator Lorraine Lafferty issued a Consent Award granting an increase of 12% to the pay rates for LPNs represented by the NSGEU at the former Capital District Health Authority. The Consent Award does not apply to LPNs represented by any other union in Nova Scotia, or LPNs represented by the NSGEU with employers other than the former CDHA. For more information, please read: “LPN reclassification – joint statement from health care union“. Take a moment to call your MLA! Join the campaign for fair wages for all LPNs. It’s hard for politicians to ignore a phone call from a constituent. We are asking you to try and call daily, until all LPNs in Nova Scotia are paid the same. Find out who your MLA is at enstools.electionsnovascotia.ca/edinfo2012 by entering your address. MLA contact information is available nslegislature.ca/members/profiles. Here are a few key points you may want to raise on your call … Read more…

CUPE calls on Nova Scotia and Ottawa to conduct comprehensive, public inquiry into mass murder

Members of the CUPE Nova Scotia Transition House Sector Committee (NSTHSC) are adding their voices to the call for the provincial and federal government to conduct a comprehensive, transparent public inquiry into the mass shooting murders that occurred in April. “Alongside many colleagues and allies in the domestic violence field, we see the need for a full inquiry into this tragedy. The intersection of issues appears to be complex and the provincial and federal governments must overturn each issue to gain full insight into how we may prevent such tragedies from ever happening again,” says Patricia Perry, NSTHSC chairperson and outreach counsellor. “It is not necessary to tell us what years of domestic violence research has already taught us. We need changes in laws that govern police responses to disclosures of domestic violence and intimate partner violence,” states Perry. “We need legislation that supports our judicial system in holding abusive … Read more…