Latest news

February 3, 2025, Fredericton, NB – CUPE’s Skilled Trades Summit concluded this Sunday afternoon after a weekend of discussions and planning among tradespeople in the public sector. Over 140 mechanics, carpenters, electricians, welders, millwrights, heavy equipment operators, and other skilled workers gathered to address pressing issues in their fields and strategize on improving working conditions.

CUPE National President Mark Hancock spoke to attendees on Friday evening, emphasizing the vital—but often overlooked—role that public sector tradespeople play in keeping our communities running. On Saturday, CUPE was honoured to welcome New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt as a guest speaker. In her address to workers, she spoke about getting rid of Bill 17, which unjustly stifled free collective bargaining and the importance of positive collaboration between labour and government. She also highlighted how she wants to see her government take more steps to improve labour relations in New Brunswick.

“In a time of uncertainty, with U.S. tariffs now imposed across Canada, it is more important than ever for government representatives to engage directly with frontline workers,” said Mark Hancock. “We’re pleased to see Premier Holt take the time to meet with workers and reaffirm her commitment to being part of the solution—working together to build a better New Brunswick for all.”

Following Premier Holt’s address, she met with CUPE leaders, including Mark Hancock, CUPE New Brunswick President Stephen Drost, and CUPE Maritimes Regional Director Sandy Harding, for a productive discussion about the challenges facing skilled trades workers. That very same morning, the Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs and Acting Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, Jean-Claude D’Amours, also addressed attendees.

The CUPE Skilled Trades Summit highlighted the need for fair wages and improved working conditions for public sector tradespeople. “Skilled trades workers play a major role in New Brunswick and the backbone of our public services.  For many years, their voices went unheard by previous governments. That’s why I am calling on all tradespeople to step up and get involved in their respective local. By working together, we can make a real difference.  We can lead the charge for fairness and respect, bring new apprentices in, and retain our amazing, experienced workers.” concluded Drost.

Will this new government keep the old habits of the former one? We hope not. Solidarity with 1190 members. We hope for a fair deal soon.
We invite you to call your local MLA. Let them know this province runs because of working people, and that includes those delivering the public services we all rely on!

Join us in person on January 31, 2025, to connect, learn, and discuss key issues impacting the trades sector in New Brunswick. This summit is for CUPE tradespeople working in New Brunswick. 
Register today: https://lu.ma/fiawk1ql

Download the event agenda: Agenda – Trades Workers Summit / Agenda du sommet des métiers

Joignez-vous à nous en personne le 31 janvier 2025 pour établir des liens, apprendre et discuter des questions clés qui ont une incidence sur le secteur des métiers au Nouveau-Brunswick. Ce sommet s’adresse aux gens de métier du SCFP qui travaillent au Nouveau-Brunswick.
Inscrivez-vous dès aujourd’hui : https://lu.ma/fiawk1ql

Loading...

Taking too long?

Reload document

| Open in new tab

Download [185.84 KB]

Join us for this important webinar as we provide you with information for this upcoming election

October 12

• 10:00 a.m.
• https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82389647555?pwd=AqzoBKqJdJt7fjPOddFHwJPl0MZLw9.1
• Meeting ID: 823 8964 7555
• Passcode: CUPENB
• Phone passcode: 835626

October 15

• 10:00 a.m.
• https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83058910217?pwd=LBpDaLTGByrnWtuahkG0FEFQMfDngI.1
• Meeting ID: 830 5891 021
• Passcode: CUPENB
• Phone passcode: 134610

• 3:00 p.m.
• https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89815184263?pwd=1eBkC7bQeXvoklJwUIqBlczJ0V3HMT.1
• Meeting ID: 898 1518 4263
• Passcode: CUPENB
• Phone passcode: 060012

• 7:00 p.m.
• https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89051174845?pwd=kz7i8y4VZRbUU24BEdqmNt8ouDGnZh.1
• Meeting ID: 890 5117 484
• Passcode: CUPENB
• Phone passcode: 600315

October 18

• 10:00 a.m.
• https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88049340529?pwd=mquYA8gqQpL2OEQghfozIwHOEy6eL6.1
• Meeting ID: 880 4934 0529
• Passcode: CUPENB
• Phone passcode: 966676

• 12:00 p.m.
• https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86988430176?pwd=Op3x7KxafM5IKPSzd7fmIXtU772lpT.1
• Meeting ID: 869 8843 017
• Passcode: CUPENB
• Phone passcode: 378666

October 19

• 10:00 a.m.
• https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83901780957?pwd=W83pNPUdqC0VGWZe6CKj2Vk4cXX7yH.1
• Meeting ID: 839 0178 095
• Passcode: CUPENB
• Phone passcode: 856545

• 12:00 p.m.
• https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81883280182?pwd=rzPRJluL2Ybv9Zfs1kUqJojt36fVcX.1
• Meeting ID: 818 8328 0182
• Passcode: CUPENB
• Phone passcode: 830753

Dial by your location

• 647 374 4685 Canada
• 647 558 0588 Canada
• 778 907 2071 Canada
• 780 666 0144 Canada
• 204 272 7920 Canada
• 438 809 7799 Canada
• 587 328 1099 Canada

CUPE provincial leaders met with the leaders of the NB NDP, the NB Green Party and the NB Liberal Party at the CUPE Maritimes office in Fredericton. The meetings focused on crucial issues facing workers in New Brunswick, including the need for flat wage increases and repairing the broken labour relations and collective bargaining process.

The meetings were attended by key CUPE leaders, including Sharon Teare, President of the NB Council of Nursing Home Unions; Iris Lloyd of CUPE 1253 (school bus drivers, custodial and maintenance workers); Jonathan Guimond of CUPE 1190 (General Labour and Trades); Norma Robinson, of CUPE 1252, the NB Council of Hospital Unions; Chris Curran of CUPE 1251, Institutional Services and Care; and Theresa McAllister, of CUPE 2745 (Educational Support Staff) CUPE NB President Stephen Drost and CUPE Maritimes Regional Director Sandy Harding. These leaders had productive in-person discussions with Alex White of the NDP, David Coon of the Green Party, and Susan Holt of the Liberal Party. Notably absent was Premier Blaine Higgs, who did not respond to the invitation.

Jonathan Guimond, President of CUPE 1190, emphasized the importance of these discussions in addressing workers’ needs. “Flat wage increases are the fairest way to ensure that all workers, especially those on lower incomes, receive equitable pay raises. When we break it down into real dollars, it’s clear that percentage-based raises disproportionately hurt lower-paid workers, like thousands of CUPE members, ” said Guimond.

As New Brunswick’s biggest union, this also means CUPE represents the biggest proportion of the lowest paid classifications in the NB public service. A month ago, CUPE 1190 members have voted to strike on this very issue. “The need for a fair flat rate is something that, thankfully, all parties in attendance acknowledged,” noted Guimond.

The meetings also highlighted the importance of wage increases that go beyond inflation. “Commitments to real wage increases are essential,” said Norma Robinson, President of the NB Council of Hospital Unions. “Workers need wages that not only keep pace with inflation but also allow them to live with dignity. This is a fundamental issue that CUPE will continue to advocate for as we approach the provincial election on October 21st,” added Robinson.

The discussions were a positive step towards improving labour relations in New Brunswick, a key concern for CUPE members across the province. The participating political leaders expressed understanding and support for the need to fix the broken labour relations and collective bargaining process.

As the provincial election approaches, CUPE will continue to engage with political leaders to ensure that the voices of workers are heard and that their concerns are addressed.

All Local 1190 members are called to vote on the 17 and 18th of July 2024. Members are encouraged to vote in their respective sub-unit locations:

Click on the image to go to a Google map of all voting locations for CUPE 1190

Contact your Local Area Vice-President or Local 1190 at  1-800-561-1190 to confirm date and time of strike vote.

Veuillez contacter votre vice-président régional ou la section locale 1190 au 1-800-561-1190 pour confirmer les dates et heures du vote de grève.

Fredericton, NB – Wednesday, CUPE Local 1190 held a press conference to announce that the NB Labour and Employment Board just declared a formal deadlock in contract talks between the union and the provincial government.

CUPE 1190, which represents over 2100 members such as labourers, park employees, mechanics, equipment operators, maintenance repair workers, maintenance, and tradespeople, has expressed frustration over the government’s unwillingness to offer fair and equitable wages. As a result, a strike could commence as early as late July, potentially impacting vital services such as provincial parks, ferries, and provincial road and bridge repairs/operations.

Jonathan Guimond, President of CUPE 1190, voiced his disappointment with the government’s stance. “Our collective agreement has been expired since December 2022. Despite years of record surpluses, this government has shown no appetite to address the wages of some of the lowest-paid tradespeople in the country,” said Guimond. “We have been in bargaining talks with GNB since November 2022, and we moved quite a bit from our original demands, but the province has not reciprocated.”

The negotiations have been ongoing for 19 months without reaching a satisfactory conclusion. This prolonged period of fruitless discussions has pushed the membership’s patience to its limit. “We do not want to repeat 2021 when GNB sat on an expired contract for over four years until workers forced them to move with a strike,” Guimond added.

The median wage for a Local 1190 member is $25.44 an hour, with over 50% of the membership in lower-paid classifications, such as park employees and labourers, earning as little as $20.67 an hour, and higher-paid classifications, such as communications supervisors, earning $33.33 an hour. GNB’s last bargaining package had wage adjustments totalling $3.25 an hour of increase at the end of a four-year contract (2022-2025) for someone earning the median wage of $25.44. “That means even lower increases for 50% of the membership earning less than that hourly wage, which does not address the cost-of-living pressures felt by workers,” said Guimond.

“The government’s proposed wages are insufficient to deal with recruitment and retention. They fail to recognize how investing in our frontlines will save our province money,” said Guimond. “They recognize this at the municipal level, where trades peoples along with other classifications in municipalities such as Edmundston, Moncton, Saint John, and Fredericton, earn nearly $5 to $10 more per hour,” he added.

The union’s official last pass in bargaining was at $7.25/hour and other benefits by the end of a three-year contract. In a final attempt to avoid job action, the bargaining team presented a one-time opportunity of a $6 wage increase and other benefits over four years, which the employer turned down on June 28. Consequently, the union filed for a deadlock.

If the employer does not show a willingness to have constructive talks, CUPE 1190 will move ahead with strike votes over the next few weeks. “Enough is enough, this government cannot ignore blue-collar workers any longer,” Guimond emphasized.

Despite the deadlock, the union remains hopeful that constructive talks can resume so a strike is avoided. “We don’t want to see picket lines going up this summer, which would create disruptions for residents in parks, ferries, and highway operations. Rather, workers want a fair contract,” said Guimond. “We call on the government to engage in negotiations that respect the value of workers and acknowledge the retention issues and cost-of-living realities they face.”

CUPE 1190 represents over 2100 general labour and trades workers throughout New Brunswick, working in more than eight departments, with the bulk of the membership employed by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure and the Department of Tourism, Heritage, and Culture (provincial parks). This includes classifications such as machinists, labourers, school bus/truck and equipment mechanics, welders, heavy equipment operators, artisans, healthcare linen/laundry drivers, bridge workers, maintenance workers, provincial ferry operators, NB housing workers, and many more.

CUPE Local 1252 reveals damning findings from the NB Auditor General’s report. Instead of investing in our hardworking in-house healthcare workers, the NB government has funneled over $175 million into for-profit staffing agencies.

Here’s the shocking truth:

💸 Public sector PSWs: $23/hr 💸 Private contracted PSWs: Up to $162/hr 💸 Public sector nurses: $30-$46/hr 💸 Private contracted nurses: Up to $306/hr

And it gets worse… 🔍 No receipts required for expenses like flights, meals, and hotels. 📝 Contracts written entirely by staffing companies with no oversight. ⚖️ No legal review of any contracts. 🕒 Companies billing for 12-hour shifts when working as few as 3.5 hours.

While our government nickel-and-dimes public sector workers, it’s rolling out the red carpet for corporate predators. Enough is enough! It’s time to put an end to this corporate welfare and invest in our public healthcare workforce.