Statement – PC Govt Should Respect NB First Nations

It is deeply concerning that the NB Premier, Blaine Higgs, and his government have demonstrated a consistent lack of regard for the rights and obligations of consultation of the Indigenous peoples of New Brunswick. Higgs’s recent statement regarding the intention to ‘move on’ with hydrofracking without the consent of Indigenous peoples on unceded and un-surrendered Indigenous lands is not only reckless but also aggressive and unacceptable. Read our full statement below:

SCIB – Finance and Treasury Board Silencing Workers’ Voices

Moncton – During a press conference held this morning, CUPE representatives denounced the GNB Finance and Treasury Board’s decision to oust all CUPE representatives from the Standing Committee on Insured Benefits (SCIB). SCIB is an employee and employer-composed board made to oversee provincially negotiated benefit plans covering over 90,000 provincial public sector workers, retirees, and family members. Vestcor administers the benefit plans, many of which are carried by Medavie Blue Cross. Benefits range from health, dental, travel, life and death insurance, many of which members pay premiums on. 

“A Director with GNB’s Finance and Treasury Board who also chairs SCIB has no right to unilaterally remove all CUPE representatives from SCIB”, said Iris Lloyd, President of CUPE Local 1253 and worker representative on SCIB. 

Recently, Treasury Board demanded that all SCIB board members sign a highly restrictive non-disclosure agreement (NDA), even specifying that only Vestcor could release information to plan members.

“Treasury Board has demanded that all elected worker representatives cease to share information with their general membership. We cannot accept this, as this would go against our obligations towards our members and retirees,” said Bryan Harris, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 1252 and himself one of the ousted worker representatives on SCIB.

 “Treasury Board is mistaken to think we, as worker representatives, have no obligations to share information and decisions with the very people who put us on that committee,” said Sandy Harding, CUPE Maritimes Regional Director. CUPE remarks that every single benefit has been the result of bargaining table negotiations. “Their decision to exclude workers’ voices makes no sense, other than wanting to hide information from the 90,000 plan participants and the public,” added Harding.  

The Auditor General has recently criticized SCIB for lacking transparency. “Workers agreed with many of the Auditor’s findings, and the recent issue of increased health premiums raised many flags. In retaliation, Treasury Board reacted by doubling down on secrecy,” said CUPE Researcher Gabrielle Ross-Marquette, who also is an alternate for workers’ voice for CUPE on SCIB. 

“We demand the Treasury Board comply with the Auditor General’s findings for more transparency. They need to get rid of the NDA, and reintegrate CUPE workers’ voice on SCIB,” said Ross-Marquette. 

SCIB was formed in the early 1990s with a signed agreement between unions and the government to talk about benefit issues at one table. Every month, CUPE members and retirees pay premiums on many benefits. “Members have skin in this game. Without their voices, SCIB loses its purpose,” said Iris Lloyd. 

“Treasury Board should recognize their mistake or get ready to set up a series of individual tables between unions and employers to oversee each of those bargained benefits,” concluded Harding. 

60th Convention Recap – Drost re-elected for 2 more years

Close to 300 delegates, observers and guests attended the 60th Annual CUPE New Brunswick Convention held in Moncton, April 18 – 22.

Delegates strongly endorsed a number of resolutions, updated the CUPE NB by-laws, and discussed cost-of-living issues, inclusion, diversity, and much more.

On Wednesday, delegates rallied in front of the Moncton City Hall to show their support for the NB teachers who are fighting for a fair negotiated deal. CUPE NB members were also present on the picket line of our PSAC Brothers and Sisters – Federal employees who began Canada’s largest strike on April 19.

Delegates heard from guest speakers, including CUPE National President Mark Hancock, Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick, Daniel Légère, President of the NB Federation of Labour and Jane McAlevey, a well-known US union organizer and labour campaigning specialist.

Convention-goers celebrated Local 51 member Keith Hatto, who was presented with this year’s Health and Safety Award. Local 1418 President Shawna Morton received this year’s Women’s Leadership Award.

Election Results
Stephen Drost was re-elected as CUPE NB President for another 2-year term. “This is a privilege I do not take likely, and I fully commit to protecting workers and public sector jobs,” said Stephen Drost. “I wish to thank all members for their commitment to the labour movement and for their continued support,” added Drost.
Serge Plourde, from Local 4193, was elected 2nd VP for CUPE NB. He is also the representative for small locals on the executive board, along with Jason Towers, of Local 3433. Justin Spooner, a member of Local 824 (part of Local 1253) was elected Trustee for a three-year term.

Moving Forward
During the next year, the Division aims to build on the solidarity among our locals. The Division will also work with other unions and community allies to strengthen public services for all.  Beyond pushing for improved labour legislations and wages that go above inflation for all workers, CUPE NB will keep a close watch on the coming provincial election in 2024 and a potential snap federal election. The Division remains committed to bargaining forward to build strong communities.

CUPE NB 60th Convention Begins Today

CUPE NB began its 60th annual convention this Tuesday evening, April 18. Convention will last until Saturday morning, April 22, more than 300 convention-goers will come from the four corners of the province to assemble at the Delta Beausejour convention hall in Moncton.

Delegates will debate resolutions, rally in support of teachers on Wednesday and hear speeches from multiple speakers such as CUPE National Officers Mark Hancock and Candace Rennick, Danielle Samson of the CLC and Daniel Legere, President of the NBFL.

Jane McAlevey, a well-known US union organizer and campaign strategist is the Keynote speaker for Friday. She will address the delegates via Zoom to talk about how we can build a fighting labour movement. Her presentation is centered around how to organize our locals and build mass support, bringing new workers into unions that wage mass strikes to fight anti-union employers and right-wing governments.

NB’s Finance Minister’s Budget Lacks Credibility

Fredericton – This Tuesday, New Brunswick’s Minister of Finance Ernie Steeves presented his 2023-2024 provincial budget with weak below-inflation investments and revenue figures that seriously lack credibility and transparency.

“The government is massively underestimating its forecasted revenues to avoid putting money into workers’ wages,” said Stephen Drost, President of CUPE NB. Ernie Steeves projects a budget surplus of $40.3 million, which is more than 20 times less than last year’s surplus (recorded at $820 million).

“Ernie Steeves is repeating exactly what he did last year when he predicted a 30 million surplus through lowballed revenue projections from personal income tax, corporate income tax, and HST to avoid criticism of under-investing in public services.

“If it was not for the federal funding coming to childcare, housing, and healthcare, this would be a hard austerity budget,” said Drost. CUPE NB notes that spending in almost all Departments is way below last year’s inflation rate of 7.3%. One very telling example is how NB is spending less than $29 million for recruitment and retention for healthcare staff, while Nova Scotia just announced it would invest ten times more, at approximately $350 million.

CUPE NB notes that little is done to support newcomers and new workers ($1.6 million), but corporate welfare programs were increased (lowered lumber royalty rates, and a $4.5 million allotted for sylviculture planting and tending, which is a subsidy for lumber companies).

The budget includes $44.9 million to increase wages for personal support workers and special care workers, as well as $9.7 million for wage increases for workers in group homes, community residences, family support, and attendant care. “This is the closest thing to “good news” in this budget for our members. However, these wage increases in real terms will be well behind inflation,” said Stephen Drost. The NB Coalition for Pay Equity believes this wage increase will still keep these workers far behind pay equity.

“This budget does nothing to address serious recruitment and retention issues across all sectors. It’s leaving the innocent and most vulnerable members of our society behind,” concluded Drost.

Medavie Still Fails to Recognize Truth and Reconciliation Day

Today, CUPE Local 1252, the union representing over 9 000 healthcare workers in New Brunswick, is calling on the NB Government to demand Medavie respect its legal obligation to honour Truth & Reconciliation Day (September 30th).

To this day, the private company Medavie has not yet properly compensated the provincial workers they manage for the work done on the official holiday. Meanwhile, all public employees in healthcare that are under public management (Vitalité and Horizon), have been properly paid either on or before March 7, 2023.

“Ambulance NB, Telecare, and Extra-Mural Staff, who are all under Medavie’s management, are entitled to this adjustment. There is no excuse that they have not yet been paid,” said Norma Robinson, President of CUPE Local 1252.  “The payment obligation comes from an arbitrators’ order, which was not challenged, so his decision is final and binding,” said Trent Snikkers, CUPE National Servicing Rep.

Earlier in 2022, CUPE 1252 had filed a grievance to have National Truth and Reconciliation Day (NTRD) recognized, which then went to arbitration. In the decision issued on August 10, 2022, arbitrator Robert Breen upheld CUPE 1252’s grievance, ordering the provincial government to recognize the holiday for workers.

“If Treasury Board cannot get Medavie to respect the order, they should not be in a contract with them in the first place,” said Robinson. “That’s the issue with privatization, the public loses control and transparency, and the public has a hard time getting them to respect their obligations,” she added.

The intrusion of private companies in healthcare is a growing concern. “Private personal care attendants cost a fortune to taxpayers. The health networks don’t interview private staff. They are working without the appropriate qualifications, are barely oriented, and are asking our members how to do their own jobs,” said Robinson. “I hope that in this week’s provincial budget, the province sends a clear signal to end this backward practice in Horizon and Vitalité,” concluded Robinson.