Bus Drivers and Mechanics Respond to the Auditor General’s Report on School Bus Safety

As representatives of the school bus drivers of New Brunswick (CUPE 1253) and the Vehicle Management Agency mechanics and workers who repair school buses (CUPE 1190), we wish to highlight the work done by NB Auditor General Paul Martin. The Department’s need to improve working conditions and do better has been revealed by Mr. Martin to the public.

Auditor Martin’s report reinforces how our school bus system needs proper resources and attention from this government. When a government does not take responsibility for delivering public services properly, it puts our children and workers at risk. That is unacceptable.

Local 1190 mechanic, at one of the Vehicle Management Agency garages (VMA) in Fredericton

The core of these issues lies not just in the physical state of our buses, but in the persistent inaction from the highest levels of our government. For years, Locals 1253 and 1190 have called on their employers about the urgent need for fair wages, improved recruitment, and retention of qualified bus drivers, mechanics and inspectors, and an efficient management that supports its staff. These demands have repeatedly fallen on deaf ears.

We have continually advocated for implementing a comprehensive recruitment and retention strategy. However, our calls for action have been ignored.

The report’s findings of missing paperwork and a lack of training evidence make bus drivers including mechanics, mechanic supervisors, and automotive inspectors look bad, when it is the employer’s responsibility to keep adequate records, ensure training is properly carried out, and that all certifications are up to date.

Minister Bill Hogan’s recent comments, expressing shock at the magnitude of the issues, only confirm what we have known for years: that there is a serious disconnect between the realities on the ground and the actions of those in power. Minister Hogan’s acknowledgment of the “serious and significant issues” is a step forward, but words are not enough. We need concrete actions and accountability.

CUPE Local 1190, responsible for bus inspections and repairs, also shares these concerns. Our members, including mechanics, mechanic supervisors, and automotive inspectors, are hired by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DTI) but managed by the Vehicle Management Agency (VMA). We have seen numerous job postings re-advertised multiple times due to them not being filled. Reports from our members indicate they are working short-staffed, with workloads disproportionate to the number of employees available to ensure our buses are safe. The absence of a response from the director of VMA on the auditor general’s report is adding to the concerns.

We have also received information from former members who have left VMA for a $5 to $10 wage increase in other sectors. Over the years, we have seen significant cuts; previously, we conducted our own bodywork and painting. Now, more and more of this work is being outsourced at a much higher cost—three to four times the cost of doing it in-house.

Our members are dedicated employees who ensure the safety and well-being of our children every day. Yet, they are often forced to work under precarious conditions, with low wages that do not reflect the critical nature of their work. Meanwhile, excessive management personnel fail to provide the necessary oversight and support, further exacerbating these issues.

CUPE Locals 1253 and 1190 demand immediate and sustained action from the Higgs government and Minister Hogan. We call for:

  1. A comprehensive and transparent plan for recruiting and retaining bus drivers and maintenance staff, which includes offering competitive wages and benefits.
  2. Bringing solutions at the bargaining tables: to improve staffing, the NB government must offer competitive and respectful wages for its staff.
  3. More front-line workers, fewer managers: redirecting resources to frontline services that truly impact student safety, like hiring more drivers, mechanics, etc. to ensure that no bus operates without up-to-date safety checks.
  4. Reinstatement of in-house services, such as bus bodywork and painting to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Invest in in-house repair rather than contracting out.

The safety of our children is non-negotiable. It is time for the government to stop ignoring the voices of those on the front lines and take meaningful action to rectify these long-standing issues. CUPE Locals 1253 and 1190 stand ready to work with all stakeholders to ensure that our school transportation system is safe, reliable, and respected.

Jonathan Guimond – President of CUPE 1190

Iris Lloyd – President of CUPE 1253                           

Fredericton approves new contract with Local 508 – Municipal outside workers

Written by Nathan DeLong, first published in the Daily Gleaner, May 29, 2024

The City of Fredericton and CUPE Local 508, the union representing the city’s outside maintenance workers have reached a tentative collective agreement after two days of negotiations earlier this month. Council unanimously approved a four-year deal Monday with Local 508 that includes annual increases based on the consumer price index, with no limits. The deal is retroactive to Jan. 1. Union president Chester Hickey said negotiations went smoothly, and 75 per cent of the union’s members supported the new agreement. He said city and union representatives will likely meet in early June to sign the agreement.
“The vote and negotiations went well,” he said. “Most of the members were happy with what was offered. The city was good to negotiate with. Kudos to everyone involved with that.”CUPE Local 508 represents the city’s roadway operations, H2O Fredericton, fleet services, parks and trees, and transit service workers.  A staff report presented to council said the union’s previous contract expired at the end of last year. Negotiations on a new deal were held at the end of April and early May, the report states. Hickey said he was pleased to see both sides reach an agreement quickly after talks broke down in 2020 and workers were locked out after giving the city a strike notice.

“It was a totally different mentality this time around compared to last time,” he said. “We had no issues. We came to a deal within two and a half days at the most.”This year’s pay bump was 6.83 per cent based on last year’s consumer price index, which Hickey said is updated annually in April for the union.In addition to the pay increases, Local 508 members will receive a benefits spending allowance of $256.39 this year, with the amounts for 2025, 2026, and 2027 being tied to the consumer price index. Members will also be given a $235 yearly clothing allowance, with supervisors getting an $800 annual tool allowance. The city will provide the union with “a letter of agreement looking at family and wellness days,” according to the staff report, along with changes to the agreement letter on the apprenticeship program and tweaks to the contract’s wording around workplace harassment protocols.

City spokesperson Elizabeth Fraser said the city won’t be commenting on the agreement until it’s ratified by the union. She said the cost to implement it “is in line with the consumer price index.” “We have budgeted accordingly for 2024 and will budget the appropriate amounts in 2025, 2026, and 2027,” Fraser said in an emailed statement.

Update to members on Bill 17 – Injunction

Important update on the recent court ruling regarding our injunction demand to stop the changes to the pension plans of CUPE members in education (Locals 1253 and 2745) and nursing homes (NBCNHU).

The Court of Kings’ Bench has just communicated that it would not agree to an injunction. Yet, remember this injunction ruling doesn’t decide if Bill 17 (the Pension Transfer Act) respects the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom or not.

We’re still going ahead with our Charter challenge. Injunctions against legislation remain notoriously challenging to achieve in New Brunswick. Yet, after multiple days in court on the injunction, we are confident our case has been made stronger by what we’ve been able to present in court to Juge Ivan Robichaud in regards to the injunction.

We will not let PC MLAs and Premier Higgs get away with breaking signed collective agreements. CUPE members, like all workers, deserve a dignified and secure retirement.

We remain unwavering in our commitment to defending the rights of our members and advocating for improved pensions.

The Locals are discussing the next steps and legal options. We will keep you updated.

 

NB Budget 2024: Missed Opportunities Leave New Brunswickers Behind

March 19, 2024 – The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) New Brunswick expressed disappointment with the provincial budget unveiled today.

“This budget is a missed opportunity to address the pressing needs of New Brunswickers,” said Stephen Drost, President of CUPE NB. “This is a budget where the current government is packing up and is looking at the exit door. We are surprised just how little was invested in healthcare, education, social development while the urgent needs are growing so much and our communities challenges are compounding” he added.

NB Budget 2024-2025

CUPE NB highlights several areas of concern:

  • Underinvestment in Healthcare: Despite repeated calls from medical professionals and unions, the healthcare budget falls short of addressing staffing shortages and improving patient care.
  • Stagnant Wages: The government’s attempt to suppress wage expectations disrespects hardworking public sector employees who are facing rising costs of living.
  • Education Funding: While additional funding for student enrolment is positive, it does little to address crumbling infrastructure or support educators and support staff facing increased workloads.
  • Long-Term Care Crisis Ignored: The budget offers no solution to the ongoing crisis in long-term care facilities, particularly the non-profit nursing homes, which represent the majority of long-term care establishments. Wages remain very low in this sector and the province has not shown real willingness to address this.

A Glimmer of Hope on Housing:

CUPE NB acknowledges the creation of a dedicated budget line for housing and increased investment in the New Brunswick Housing Corporation. 60 million more in this budget line is good news. Yet, this is a far cry from what the province must do to improve housing access. No announcements were made regarding tenant protections and preventing the loss of currently affordable housing stock from being converted into high-profit rentals and condos. CUPE NB is saddened to see how this government has not made public affordable housing a major part of its plan to address the province’s affordable housing crisis.

CUPE NB calls on the government to:

  • Deal with the staffing crisis in public services like healthcare, education, social services, and long-term care.
  • Respect the collective bargaining rights of public sector workers and dedicate funding to help workers deal with cost of living pressures.
  • Develop a comprehensive plan to address the affordable housing crisis, which disproportionately hurts working families, seniors, and lower-income residents.

Auditor Investigation in Costly Private Health Staffing Contracts Should Go Beyond Nursing

Fredericton, NB – CUPE salutes Auditor General Paul Martin’s investigation into the management of private agency nursing contracts in New Brunswick. This is why CUPE Local 1252 (representing over 9,000 healthcare workers in NB), along with the NB Council of Nursing Home Unions (over 4,400 long-term care workers) are demanding a broader inquiry into other facets of healthcare privatization.

While the spotlight has been primarily on the substantial costs associated with travel nurse contracts, CUPE asserts that privatization extends far beyond this aspect. Notably, private resident attendants’ roles are also being outsourced instead of being handled in-house, leading to significant financial burdens for New Brunswick residents.

“This investigation into travel nurse contracts merely scratches the surface of a much larger issue of systemic privatization,” asserts Norma Robinson, President of CUPE 1252. “We must address the pervasive practice of contracting out, which has become alarmingly prevalent within both Horizon and Vitalité, due to years of mismanagement by provincial governments. The problems extend beyond the staggering financial costs; it’s about accountability, transparency, and ensuring the highest quality of care for all New Brunswickers,” said Robinson.

In a letter addressed to Auditor General Paul Martin on March 7, 2024, CUPE locals have formally requested to expand the scope of his investigation. “We commend his proactive stance and stress the necessity for a thorough examination of procurement processes, oversight mechanisms, and the overall impact of these costly contracts on healthcare delivery,” said Sharon Teare, President of the NB Council of Nursing Home Unions.

“Millions of dollars are being siphoned out of our province, while the existing workforce fails to receive adequate support from the government,” highlights Trent Snikkers, CUPE Servicing Representative. “This government must prioritize public healthcare instead of profit-driven short-term fixes,” he concluded.

Fighting the unconstitutional Bill 17 : Injunction hearing scheduled in March 2024

Three CUPE groups (Locals 1253, 2745, and the NB Council of Nursing Home Unions) formally launched a legal challenge against the PC’s pension bill. Bill 17 breaks signed contracts and violates the fundamental rights of workers to fair collective bargaining. Read our Notice of Action and our Statement of Claim filed with the Court of Kings’ Bench below

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Urgent Concerns Ignored in Premier Higgs’s State of the Province Address

Fredericton, NB – Today, CUPE NB and provincial local leadership held a press conference in response to Premier Blaine Higgs’s State of the Province address, which was delivered Thursday night in Fredericton.

CUPE NB Press Conference – Friday, January 26, 2024

“Despite record surpluses, the PC government’s negligent policies have created a perfect storm, leaving workers, seniors, rural residents, young families, and numerous others grappling with substantial challenges’” said Stephen Drost, President of CUPE NB, which represents over 27,000 unionized workers. “We expected the Premier to come clean and admit that he has much to do to help residents, communities, and workers. That did not happen,” said Drost. “Instead, he thinks he can buy working families’ votes by mailing them a one-time $300 cheque. This barely scratches the surface of the damage he has done to low-income families, from his insistence on low wages in bargaining to his removal of rent protections,” said Drost.

Healthcare was among the pressing issues the Premier mentioned, yet, he has not said he would end his reliance on private agencies like Medavie and travel nurses. “He thinks the number one priority is the digitization of medical files, while we have critical understaffing and underpayment in care, particularly the nursing home sector, which worsens the healthcare crisis,” said Drost. “The province must first stop the bleeding. This requires direct funds to help workers and improve the public services all residents need,” he added.

Education and child welfare, essential pillars of our society, are also in jeopardy. The slow progress in building new school spaces, coupled with staff shortages affecting cleanliness and transportation, reveals a lack of commitment to our children’s future. “Social services, including child protection units, are understaffed, compromising the care for our most vulnerable citizens,” said Drost.

Workers’ rights and wages are consistently disrespected, with below-inflation wage growth for the majority. Premier Higgs’s government’s approach of imposing contract changes through legislation erodes collective bargaining rights, as seen in the glaring example of Bill 17.

CUPE NB notes how the lack of rent protection intensifies the struggle for affordable housing, affecting workers across the income spectrum. Let’s not forget how NB has one of the lowest minimum wages and among the weakest consumer rights protections in Canada. “This all compounds the challenges faced by residents,” said Drost. “More than ever, we need a government ready to invest in the well-being of those contributing to the province’s prosperity: working people,” he concluded.