Black and white close-up photo of a woman with three other women in the background. Text: Together, we can make the world a safer place for women.

December 6: Remember and Work for Change

CUPE Nova Scotia and the CUPE Nova Scotia Women’s Committee is marking December 6, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women, by calling on CUPE members, and all Nova Scotians, to stand up and fight for change. This year, December 6 marks the 31st anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechique Massacre when 14 women were murdered because of their gender. One of the women, Maryse Laganière, was a CUPE member working at the engineering school. Gender based violence has long been at catastrophic proportions in Canada and around the world. The statistics are appalling. Over 50 per cent of women have experienced sexual harassment at work; more than one third of women have experienced intimate partner violence; and every six days in Canada a woman is killed by her intimate partner. Gender based violence continues to be a serious issue. In fact, the current pandemic has … Read more…

Pension written a on chalkboard with picture of a clock

CUPE submission on potential changes to the Public Service Superannuation Plan

Dear CUPE members: On open call for submissions was made by the Trustee Board of the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP), asking whether or not adjustments should be made to the PSSP in response to the CPP increases that are being rolled out until 2025. On behalf of our members, CUPE Nova Scotia sent a letter to the board on November 27, in which we state our support for a submission made by CUPE Local 1867. Read CUPE Nova Scotia’s letter. Read CUPE 1867’s full submission. The changes to the PSSP that the Trustee Board are considering would effectively cancel the much-needed CPP enhancement for thousands workers, including CUPE members who are plan members of the pension plan. CUPE Nova Scotia is strongly opposed to any changes to the PSSP. The fact that the PSSP is an integrated plan does not mean further integration is automatic – or necessary. … Read more…

Web banner. OCHU study - Sacrificed: major study of health care workers during the time of COVID. Image of a male and a female health care worker wearing scrubs and a face mask.

Academic study finds Ontario health care staff worked under psychological distress in pandemic, feeling “sacrificed” and violated

On November 24, 2020, a study entitled “Sacrificed: major study of health care workers during the time of COVID” was released by the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions-Canadian Union of Public Employees (OCHU-CUPE). The study was published in New Solutions: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy. The research was done in collaboration with OCHU-CUPE, based on extensive interviews with 10 health care workers. The study interviews were supplemented by a poll conducted by OCHU-CUPE involving 3,000 members about their concerns regarding personal protection. About 91 per cent of those polled said they felt the government had abandoned them. Download a copy of the study at: https://ochu.on.ca/2020/11/24/sacrificed-major-study-of-health-care-workers-during-the-time-of-covid  Healthcare workers (HCWs) in Ontario, Canada have faced unprecedented risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have been infected at an elevated rate compared to the general public. HCWs have argued for better protections with minimal success. A worldwide shortage of N95s and … Read more…