Budgets are about political choices – Nova Scotians will pay for poor choices

“The McNeil government is not growing our economy by choosing to support public services and invest in infrastructure, and that’s a mistake we’ll all pay for,” says CUPE Nova Scotia President Nan McFadgen, in response to the provincial budget announced today. Provincial highway workers are voicing their concerns about budget allocations for highway maintenance and improvements. At stake is the high-cost of using private companies to provide these services, when the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal already owns the equipment and has qualified staff to do this work. “How will the province save money by paying private companies to do this work? asks Mike MacIsaac, treasurer for CUPE 1867, NS Highway Workers Union. “The province’s highway workers can do the job more efficiently and cost-effectively.” “Why would go out and rent a car when you already own one?” asks MacIsaac. “For example, the province earmarked $10 million for private … Read more…

Nursing home workers to hold information picket in North Sydney

NEW DATE – MARCH 29: Nursing home workers to hold information picket in North Sydney

Please note the new date is March 29, 2018. Members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1876 will hold an information picket on Thursday, March 29 in North Sydney at the office of Eddie Orrell, MLA for Northside-Westmount. The workers, from the Northside Community Guest Home, would like to share their concerns about the effects that staffing shortages may have on residents’ quality of life, in addition to budget cuts made by the provincial government. “There are many problems at the nursing home such as reducing the resident-to-staff ratio, little or no vacation time granted, and failure to replace temporary full-time positions,” says Louise Riley, chairperson of the CUPE Long Term Care Coordinating Committee. “Units are consistently working short. These shortages impact care and the health and safety of residents and workers.” WHEN: Thursday, March 29 at 12 p.m. WHERE: MLA Eddie Orrell’s office, 309 Commercial Street North Sydney, … Read more…

Statement by Nan McFadgen on Bill 72, the Nova Scotia Education Reform Act

The following remarks were made by CUPE Nova Scotia President Nan McFadgen before the Law Amendments Committee on Bill 72, the Education Reform Act, in the Nova Scotia Legislature this morning. Good morning. My name is Nan McFadgen and I am the President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Nova Scotia Division. CUPE is Canada’s largest union, with more than 650,000 members across the country. In Nova Scotia, CUPE proudly represents more than 19,000 men and women working in communities throughout the province to deliver important public services in education, both school boards and post-secondary; healthcare, hospitals, long-term care and home care; municipalities; provincial highways; and community services, among other sectors of the economy. I want to thank the members of the Law Amendments Committee for this opportunity to speak to Bill 72 today. In my remarks, I will address three points: The need for meaningful consultation The … Read more…