Let’s send a message to Stephen McNeil that we are worth it!

We go to work every day in service to Nova Scotians. We are at a loss as to why Stephen McNeil does not see the value in our work. Many of our members work multiple jobs to make ends meet. Why is he okay with a two year wage freeze? Stephen McNeil’s Liberals have decided to proclaim Bill 148. While we are not surprised, we are disappointed that our government thinks they have the right to reach into our Collective Agreements and remove fairly bargained benefits. And to add insult to injury they are only referring the wage restraint portion of Bill 148 to the Court of Appeal regarding its constitutionality, not the entire Bill. CUPE is working with other unions in NS to determine a response to the review of portions of Bill 148 at the court of appeal. CUPE NS also wants our members to know that CUPE … Read more…

Trampling on Freedom of Association: The arrogance of Stephen McNeil

The McNeil Government is failing Nova Scotians by not asking the courts to test all of Bill 148 against the constitution, says CUPE Nova Scotia President Nan McFadgen. On August 22, the McNeil Government referred parts of Bill 148, the Public Services Sustainability Act, to the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal to determine the constitutionality of the legislation. However, the government only asked the court to review sections seven through 19. They excluded asking for a review of section 20 and 21 that include freezing the long-service award and strips it from future employees. “How can the Premier expect anyone to have confidence is this piece of legislation if he is unwilling ask the courts for a constitutional review of all of it?” asks McFadgen. “He is clearly afraid of testing legislation that causes harm to tens of thousands of workers and their families.” “The Premier should not cherry-pick which … Read more…