Black and white image of a man in the driver's seat of a dump truck with CBRM written on the side. Text overlay: CUPE 759 municipal workers.

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…

CUPE brings pro-public message to provincial municipal meeting

CUPE Nova Scotia representatives talked up the value of public services and warned about the dangers of privatization at a recent provincial gathering of municipal leaders. CUPE NS hosted an exhibit at the virtual conference of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities (NSFM) and helped sponsor the event, which took place November 3 and 4. “Being at these events let us connect with municipal leaders on shared concerns and make sure workers’ voices and expertise are part of the conversation on issues affecting our cities and towns,” said CUPE Nova Scotia President Nan McFadgen. Our delegation shared CUPE’s latest research about public-private partnerships (P3s), Asking the right questions: A guide for municipal officials considering P3s. This fully-updated second edition of our popular guide weighs all the evidence and concludes that P3 privatization still costs more and delivers less. The guide outlines 10 essential questions every municipal official should ask before … Read more…

A female continuing care assistant helps an elderly female patient sitting in a wheelchair with her sore leg.

Stronger investment needed from Nova Scotia government for continuing care sectors

The union representing the majority of workers in “continuing care” sectors in Nova Scotia – long term care and community services – says the $1.7 million investment announced by the province is not enough to retain or recruit staff. CUPE Nova Scotia President Nan McFadgen, “The investment announced yesterday is a small step in the right direction, but if the premier hopes to make good on his election promise to ‘ensure that every long-term care facility maintain staff care levels, of combined RNs, LPNs and CCAs, sufficient to satisfy at least 4.1 hours of care per resident’ per day, he has a long way to go.” “We’re still waiting to hear when and how the premier plans to meet his commitment to hire 1,400 additional CCAs, reinstate the CCA training grant, and increase the size of the program to 1,000 students,” says McFadgen. “None of this money will go directly … Read more…