Logo: CUPE 4963. Two stick figure people, over a multi-colour heart that looks like a jigsaw puzzle

Pension contributions are deferred wages: CUPE 4963 members faced with difficult decision to go on strike Monday

The union representing workers employed by Queens Association for Supported Living (QASL) in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, is sending a reminder to Minister of Community Services Kelly Regan that pensions are deferred wages. “It was wrong of the employer and the Department of Community Services to allow changes to be made to pensions, without proper consultation with the union or our members – especially in a sector that is predominately made up of women and where workers are already underpaid,” says Chris Sutton, national representative with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). Pension contributions are “deferred wages”, made by the employer and the employee, with the expectation that a worker will receive an income that will sustain them when they retire and into old age. These deferred wages are one part of the total compensation that an employer gives to a worker along with regular wages and, in some cases, … Read more…

Logo: CUPE 4963. Two stick figure people, over a multi-colour heart that looks like a jigsaw puzzle

Workers at Queens Association for Supported Living take strike vote

CUPE 4963 members employed by Queens Association for Supported Living in Liverpool Nova Scotia voted 92 per cent in favour of strike action yesterday. With no significant progress being made in bargaining to reach a fair collective agreement, the membership renewed their union’s mandate to go on strike if necessary. CUPE 4963 members are asking for the community’s help to reach an agreement with their employer. “These workers need the public’s assistance and hope people in the area will contact Minister Kelly Regan to help end the impasse,” says CUPE National Representative Chris Sutton. “They have tried many times to resolve the pension issue with their employer and want to avoid a disruption of services that will be caused by a lockout or strike, which could happen as soon as Monday, December 14.” Union representatives are hoping that a final meeting today with the employer and a conciliation officer appointed … Read more…

CUPE Nova Scotia opposes pension clawback tabled by government trustees

CUPE Nova Scotia is disappointed to learn that board members of the Public Service Superannuation Plan Trustee Inc. (PSSPTI) are considering cuts to public service pension plan benefits. “The changes that the trustee board are considering would effectively cancel the much-needed Canada Pension Plan (CPP) enhancement for thousands of workers, including CUPE members, who are members of the pension plan,” says CUPE Nova Scotia President Nan McFadgen. “CUPE Nova Scotia represents a number of local unions within the PSSP and we strongly object to these potential clawbacks from our members’ pensions,” says McFadgen. The trustee board recently made a call for submissions, asking whether or not adjustments should be made to the PSSP in response to CPP increases that are being phased in by the federal government until 2025. “All public service workers should be concerned about these cuts to their pension,” says McFadgen. “We only learned about the call … Read more…