Web banner. Text: Bargaining update, CUPE 759, Proud to deliver quality public services in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Images: photo strip with four photos of members on the job (heavy equipment operator, driving a truck with CBRM written on the side, snow shovelling, and driving a snow plow on a sidewalk).

Union applies for conciliation in negotiations with Cape Breton Regional Municipality

Upon the request of the union, a conciliation officer has been appointed by the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education to assist with negotiations between the members of CUPE 759 and their employer, Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM). CUPE National Representative Kathy MacLeod says, “Negotiations reached an impasse last week and we filed for conciliation on September 18th. At this time, no dates have been set for conciliation.” “We hope that the assistance of a conciliator will help to reach an agreement,” said Kevin Ivey, president of CUPE 759, representing outside municipal workers. “It’s not just a monetary issue. There are a number of outstanding issues that need to be addressed such as ensuring both parents have access to parental leave and improvements to grievance procedure language.” The union’s collective agreement expired on October 31, 2020. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 759 represents approximately 330 … Read more…

Photo of Nan McFadgen walking through crowd in a corridor at CUPE National Convention in 2019.

Take a Look at Ourselves: A Call to Make Space for Diverse Voices

“The presence of diverse voices at the table often creates a conversation that would never have happened otherwise.” On August 31, Nova Scotia’s newly elected government chose a 71-year-old white man to be in charge of African Nova Scotian Affairs, and the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives. Their rationale was that he has Black people in his riding, and they like him. As I witnessed this controversial appointment take place, I thought of my union, and the labour movement in general: when it comes to intentionally opening leadership doors to diverse voices and experiences, while we are doing better than we did before, any increase in diverse voices at the labour movement’s decision-making tables has been marginal at best… Read the full article by Nan McFadgen, president of CUPE Nova Scotia, published in Our Times labour magazine on September 3, 2021. Go to ourtimes.ca/article/take-a-look-at-ourselves. Hey CUPE NS locals! Watch for the latest print issue … Read more…

Web banner. Text: Proud to deliver public services across Nova Scotia. Image: CUPE NS logo and photo of two female and one male worker dressed in work clothes and representing health care, education and municipal sectors.

Delivering quality public services, accessible to all Nova Scotians

This Labour Day message will be distributed as a flyer in Saltwire newspapers across Nova Scotia on Saturday, September 4, including the Chronicle Herald and the Cape Breton Post. Public services in Nova Scotia, and the workers who provide them, are not just essential – they are indispensable. The work that public sector workers do is critical to keep our economy going, and to our health and safety. As Labour Day approaches, we are taking the time to reflect and to say thank you to CUPE members, our union friends, our allies in civil society, and to all frontline workers. Thank you for your hard work and dedication! Since the pandemic began, we’ve developed an even deeper understanding of the value and importance of the services that CUPE members provide. From our health care workers who keep our hospitals clean and care for our seniors; to the municipal workers who … Read more…