A Community Comes Together To Protect Seniority

The municipal workers of CUPE Local 1188, operating in the small university town of Sackville, New Brunswick, are still in awe by the level of community support they received in their recent victory to protect seniority rights.

At the bargaining table, Council and the Town’s new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) had remained steadfast: they demanded the union accept a contract which removed seniority as a consideration when a temporary, part-time or casual employee applied for a full-time position.

“The last labour conflict our local had was about thirty-five years ago, in the 1980s. The Council and CAO must have thought we were weak, ready to accept anything,” said Marcos Salib, CUPE’s servicing representative for the Local. “They wanted to use fear of a lockout/strike situation and our feeling of isolation to their advantage,” he added.

The disconcerting attack had initially shocked and reduced morale amongst members – a few were contemplating signing a two-tier contract. However, the “Seniority Matters” campaign and member education grew internal confidence: members’ fear developed into anger, then indignation turned into resolve.

CUPE NB along with the Regional Action Committees engaged other CUPE locals in the area and gradually reached beyond immediate supporters. Firefighters, bakery workers, nurses, retail workers and other Regional Labour Council partners mobilized in Sackville. Ordinary citizens started to ask more and more questions to the Towns’ councilors as awareness and support grew.

Within six months, from December 2016 to May 2017, the Local had escalated pressure through all the hoops of a campaign: lobbying, leaflets, petitions, strike education, radio ads, lawn signs, public rallies, town hall meetings & more.

“Council thought they could drive a wedge between members as they sweetened the deal to exclude the current workers from the seniority attack,” said Pam Hicks, Secretary of Local 1188.

In the end, the Council withdrew its ultimatum and has ratified a six-year contract with the Union. The deal provides for improved clothing and tool allowances, contains wage increases, wage adjustments for precarious workers – and most importantly – maintains all seniority rights.

“Sackville workers leave us with a great example of how we can successfully apply CUPE’s National Executive Board Bargaining Policy on fighting concessions and two-tier contract provisions to motivate and mobilize the workers,” said Daniel Légère, CUPE NB President. “Because of the new bargaining policy, there now is heightened awareness of the need to bring in the Division early in the process,” he added.

“Local 1188 members understand that they are part of a big movement. Being part of a union comes with many benefits, but also many responsibilities towards our fellow workers – including future workers. Together we build on past victories and make gains for those who will come after us,” concluded Légère.

Seniority matters! Fairness for Sackville municipal employees

Seniority allows for positions to be filled by the most senior worker qualified to obtain a position. It does not stop the Employer from choosing who they want as employees.

The town of Sackville wants to remove this longstanding clause to loyal part-time and temporary future employees hired by them.

Unions maintain fairness, equality and equal opportunity for all members after hiring!

Privatization in Healthcare: Expect Superbugs and Reheated Food

FREDERICTON: Both Vitalité and Horizon Health Networks are about to sign a 10-year deal to privatize management and operation of hospital food service, environmental services and patient transportation.

“We were informed that 280 full-time equivalent positions will be affected in the decision to sell off publicly run services to Sodexo, a French multinational corporation,” said Norma Robinson, President of New Brunswick Council of Hospitals Unions, CUPE Local 1252.

CUPE 1252 is very concerned by Sodexo’s grim track record: in other provinces and in the USA, they have been highly criticized, sued for overcharging governments and even kicked out of universities, jails, schools, and other institutions where they operated.

“It’s outrageous because we are already running a barebones operation. To save money and turn a profit, this company will inevitably cut corners. This will mean more hospital-borne infections and “superbugs”.  This government is putting sick people, seniors and our most vulnerable citizens’ health at risk,” said Robinson.

Less healthcare cleaning and infection control staff frequently results in more cases of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), C. difficile and other infections caused by bacteria and viruses encountered in healthcare facilities.

In past meetings with the previous Health Minister, CUPE 1252 had been reassured that no privatization of these services would happen – because there were no solid guarantees to find savings without loss in quality and services.

“The health of patients and workers should matter: by keeping these services in-house, we can avoid costly and dangerous problems,” said Robinson.

“Despite past cuts, the Union did its best to make sure hospitals were meeting their cleanliness targets. Front-line workers and their supervisors were meeting on a regular basis to raise cleanliness standards in facilities,” said Robinson.

CUPE 1252 is also concerned that more frozen food systems will be implemented: “Is this the food New Brunswickers deserve when they are sick and dying in a hospital bed?” asked Robinson.

Keep Rural Stores Open: NB Liquor Union

Fredericton – The union representing NB Liquor workers, CUPE Local 963, asks the government to stop the planned closures of NB Liquor stores in Lamèque, Petit-Rocher and Cap-Pelé.

 Replacing profitable stores and handing over the work to the private sector through agency stores is an attack on rural New Brunswick. The Petit-Rocher store alone has made over 1 million dollars in profit last year, yet NB Liquor’s CEO wants to go forward with closures. It’s deplorable,” said Jamie Agnew, President of CUPE Local 963.

“Agency stores are not going out of their way to promote and build-up our local brewers or distillers who are fighting for shelf space with alcohol conglomerates” said Agnew.

“Removing the stores will not only hurt regions during tourist season, it will mean a reduced product selection throughout the year,” said Agnew.

 Agnew states that the regional MLAs need to be involved in the decision: “Good paying jobs with benefits should not be replaced by precarious jobs,” he added.

 This week, CUPE has sent letters requesting a meeting to discuss the issue with Cathy Rogers, the Minister responsible for NB Liquor.

CUPE Local 963 represents over 500 liquor store and warehouse workers across New Brunswick.

CUPE 1190: Unnecessary Cuts Lead to Dangerous Roads

Fredericton – CUPE Local 1190, representing New Brunswick highway workers, held a news conference today to outline its concerns about reductions by the provincial Department of Transportation and Infrastructure to the Winter Maintenance Program.

Andrew Hardy, CUPE 1190 President, shows the hotline ad

At the conference, CUPE Local 1190 officially relaunched their “Bad Road Hot Line” for tracking road conditions following the reductions to the Winter Maintenance Program.

“We are asking the government to reverse past cuts: reducing the Winter Maintenance Program in a province like New Brunswick is really not an option,” said Andy Hardy, president of CUPE Local 1190.

Hardy listed several reductions that have resulted from pasts cuts in the Winter Maintenance program:

  • 26 plows and graders will not be available to plow the roads; this on top of the 29 pieces of heavy equipment that were parked in 2013, which means DTI is now working with 55 fewer pieces of equipment;
  • 70 less operators in the Winter Maintenance Program since 2013-2014;
  • No spare operators will be available in some divisions around the province;
  • Reduced sand and salt budgets.
  • $6.2 million have been given to the Quebec consulting firm PVA, money that’s leaving the province and could be used on New Brunswick roads.

“CUPE Local 1190 members take a great deal of pride in keeping our roads safe and clear, but with each round of budget cuts, this is becoming increasingly difficult,” says Hardy.

This year, a window of opportunity will open to undo privatized plowing and P3 highways: the Moncton-Fredericton highway P3 contract with MRDC expires on January 1st, 2017, and will be up for renegotiation.

From left to right: Bill Cameron, CUPE 4848; Brian Watson, CUPE 1253, Andrew Hardy, President CUPE 1190; & David Perkins, CUPE National Representative.

“Private sector plowing costs more and is less efficient than public sector highway work. This government has a chance to make a deal for our citizens’ safety. It’s time to bringing the work back in-house” concluded Hardy.

United we are strong! Binding arbitration changes scrapped

Fredericton – April 08 2016 – After having mounted pressure against changes to binding arbitration, CUPE NB is relieved that the provincial government has scrapped its planned changes to labour laws in Bill 24.

“The law would have seriously gamed the bargaining process in favor of employers,” said Daniel Légère, President of CUPE NB. “At the 11th hour, the government has realized it had nothing to gain by turning the arbitration mechanisms in a lose-lose system” said Légère.

“I am proud to say that on this issue, both the government and the opposition listened to the concerns of CUPE and other members of the NB Federation of Labour” said Légère.

“Now that this is behind us, I hope government will foster a constructive relationship with unions to make our work laws more progressive. The promise of re-instating the labour-management decision maker’s committee is a small step in the right direction” explained Légère.

Read the fine print: NB Liberals pushing for a “wage suppression bill” this Spring

http://www.citizen.org/congress/images/fineprint.jpgMarch 22, 2016 – Fredericton – Out of the blue and without any public or worker input, the New Brunswick government is currently going to fast-track wage suppression legislation. The Federation of Labour recently learned that this bill could be passed during the formal adoption of the provincial budget.

“This did not figure anywhere in the Choices to Move New Brunswick Forward document. Now, it turns out, they are out for the workers’ wages in the public and private sectors,” said Patrick Colford, New Brunswick Federation of Labour President.

Both public and private sectors labour laws are to be modified to favour employers during negotiations. This would ultimately result in downward pressure on the wages of all workers in the province. Tim Hudak, former Leader of the Ontario Conservatives, had proposed a similar law in 2011.

“We have tried over and over to meet with Labour Minister Francine Landry, but she has continually postponed,” said Colford. “As time goes by, it seems like Premier Gallant wants to have labour laws modified through fine print in budget legislation, just like Harper had done with his omnibus bills,” he added.

“Firefighters, pulp and paper workers, university employees, health and education sector workers – everyone is coming together to oppose these changes,” concluded Colford.

The leadership of several public and private sector unions, representing workers in every sector of the economy, met last week. Collectively, they are urging the New Brunswick Government to halt these labour law changes.

International Women’s Day: let’s make pay equity a reality

Currently, no pay equity law protects NB’s private sector employees. The only pay equity legislation in New Brunswick, which applies to public sector employees, remains to be truly put into action.

The law is supposed to ensure equal pay for work of equal value, when compared to predominantly male jobs. “This law was passed under the Graham government in 2009. We are still waiting for the government to apply the legislation,” said CUPE Local 2745 President, Theresa McAllister.

“Job evaluations were to be completed in April 2012, but to this day, we are still waiting for any wage adjustment,” she added.

“Every worker, union or non-union, deserve pay equity. It is a question of human rights” said Odette Robichaud, Acting President of CUPE NB. “Educational assistants, home care workers, court stenographers, group home workers, and many more will directly benefit when the government will act to follow its own laws,” said Robichaud.

“Female-dominated jobs should be respected and recognized for their true value. Pay equity is the first real step to achieve this,” concluded McAllister.

CUPE local 2745 represents about 4000 people in female-dominated jobs: Educational Assistants, Student Attendants, School Administrative Assistants, School Library Workers, District Administrative Support, School Intervention Workers and Rehabilitation Assistants.

Privatization and Construction Contracts: Auditor General should investigate

March 03, 2016 – Fredericton – CUPE Local 1190, supported by CUPE NB, held a press conference on the issue of privatization in the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. Local 1190 president, Andrew Hardy, said the Union would go ahead with a request to the Office of the Auditor General to investigate the awarding of public contracts in the field of transport and construction in New Brunswick.

Many construction companies, such as asphalt and paving companies, donated generously to political parties before and during the last provincial election. Now, many of these businesses are reaping contracts from the newly privatized operations.

“Transportation Minister Roger Melanson and his Deputy Minister told us that privatization would be more expensive than the work done by the public sector,” says Hardy. “Despite that, Department employees, middle management and the Minister all know that it will cost more, the Liberals are still going forward. Who is benefiting from this, and why? Certainly not the taxpayer. Are we in a situation similar to what led to the Atcon scandal?” questioned Hardy.

“Unlike the federal law, New Brunswick’s political financing law allows corporations to make donations to political parties, up to $ 6,000. By privatizing more and more government work, is awarding public contracts truly a neutral process ?” asks Hardy. “We need a commission of inquiry in N.B.” he added.

“Privatization is less transparent and less accountable than public sector work. With outsourcing, the money goes to companies based outside the province: they’re the ones profiting from these contracts,” said David Perkins, CUPE National Representative.

In addition to efforts with the Office of the Auditor General, Local 1190 CUPE will host a provincial day of action on March 12.

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