Provincewide day of action November 30 in support of long-term care and community services

CUPE members who work in long-term care and community services will hold rallies across the province as part of a “Day of Action” on Tuesday, November 30, calling on the Nova Scotia government to take immediate action to support long-term care workers and residents. “The province must act now to increase staffing levels and wages,” says Louise Riley, chair of CUPE’s Long Term Care and Community Services Coordinating Committee. “For decades, the government has imposed a wage freeze or an increase far below the rate of inflation. Many workers in these sectors must work two jobs, work at more than one facility, or work overtime, just to get by.” “Where’s the incentive to continue working in a job with low wages, cancelled vacations, mandated overtime, and often working short?” adds Riley. The rallies are scheduled to take place at 11 am at the following locations: CITY / TOWN ADDRESS NEARBY … Read more…

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CBRM municipal workers reach tentative agreement

Municipal workers with Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM), represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) local 759, reached a tentative agreement with their employer yesterday. “I’d like to thank our bargaining committee who worked hard on behalf of our members to reach this deal,” said Kevin Ivey, president of CUPE 759. “We are pleased to recommend this tentative agreement to members for acceptance.” Details of the contract will not be made available until it has been presented to CUPE 759 members, and both sides have ratified the agreement. The union’s bargaining committee will present the tentative collective agreement to the membership and a ratification vote will take place on Sunday, November 27, 2021. CUPE Local 759 represents approximately 300 members employed by CBRM who work in transit, public works, water and waste water management, parks and grounds maintenance, building and arena maintenance, as well as cleaning and janitorial … Read more…

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Municipal workers want Cape Breton Regional Municipality to stop playing games and negotiate a fair deal

CUPE 759, the union representing municipal workers employed by Cape Breton Regional Municipality, is calling on the city to stop playing games and get back to the table to negotiate a new collective agreement. “We’re waiting to hear if the employer will return to bargaining, but it seems like that might not happen,” said Kevin Ivey, president of CUPE 759, “and their tone at the bargaining table makes us question if they’re really committed to reaching a negotiated settlement with us.” “The employer needs to put all their energy into negotiations,” said Kathy MacLeod, CUPE national representative. “There’s only one way to get a deal done and that’s at the table.” “Our members are understandably frustrated by the way this round of bargaining is going. They just want a fair deal and a healthy, respectful workplace,” said Ivy. “We’ve heard from our members that management is trying to spread false … Read more…