The CUPE NB education committee met in December and decided on the scholarship winners. The winners are as follows:
The 3 committee members used a point system as always to determine the winners. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Kimberly Copp.
CUPE NB is appalled to see that Finance Minister Ernie Steeves has no plan to use budget surpluses to fix the staffing crises in public services.
“Minister Steeves has let the provincial fiscal surplus balloon up to an obscene 862.6 million dollars by starving front-line services from desperately needed resources and staffing,” said Stephen Drost, President of CUPE NB. “This is not only irresponsible but also jeopardizing what made that surplus possible: population growth,” added Drost. 
Despite public backlash following his declaration that New Brunswick’s budget surplus would be 24 times what he had “predicted”, the Finance minister has still not switched gears.
Too many public-sector workers are working short, may they be DTI plow operators, school bus drivers, nursing home care staff, or social workers. “This Minister is not taking a balanced approach. He is focusing on debt reduction only, and leaving budget dust for services to residents,” denounced Drost.
CUPE NB wants the Minister to actually do something about the rising cost of living for workers. When you have strong population growth, governments should have an adequate response to consolidate it, without forgetting the existing population who now feels extra pressure, like fewer childcare spaces per resident, rent increases, or fewer long-term care spaces per capita. “Public service growth should follow population expansion, not run against it. Steeves is really disconnected from what most New Brunswickers are dealing with,” concluded Drost.
Bargaining Forward: The story of the 2021 CUPE Strike in New Brunswick details how front-line public sector workers stood together and won against a hostile government.
Click on the image to order from cupe.ca
Illustrated with full-colour photos, the book is written by Professor Susan O’Donnell and journalist David G. Koch. The authors work with the NB Media Co-op and are experienced labour reporters. The book features an introduction by labour historian David Frank and a conclusion by CUPE New Brunswick president Steve Drost and Maritimes regional director Sandy Harding.
Co-published by CUPE and the NB Media Co-op, the print edition of Bargaining Forward is available for purchase in CUPE’s online store. Learn how these workers organized to win – get your copy today!
Contact webmaster@cupe.ca to pay by means other than cheque or direct remittance.
This Wednesday, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, along with the NB Media Co-op, are launching a new book titled Bargaining Forward: The story of the 2021 CUPE Strike in New Brunswick. The book written by Professor Susan O’Donnell and journalist David G. Koch, tells the story of how front-line workers stood together and won against a hostile government.
Click on the image for the LIVESTREAM
Speakers will include Mark Hancock, CUPE’s National President, along with Candace Rennick, CUPE’s National Secretary-Treasurer. This will be followed by a presentation from both authors, then a few words from labour historian David Frank; Stephen Drost, president of CUPE NB, and Sandy Harding, regional director for CUPE.
The launch is open to all. It will take place on Wednesday, January 25, at 5:30 pm, at the Delta Beauséjour on 750 Main St, Moncton, NB. As the books are currently coming off the presses, you will be able to place orders for the book onsite.
If you cannot attend in person, you can watch the event via the ZOOM LIVESTREAM here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89440544215?pwd=S2ZMcHUvSFBibXFWVk9iMmRSNFRWZz09&fbclid=IwAR2_UazpUjelYK4fwBaJJBPuhiP8WoSLzwErx2luhcMpulmnIiwGiQRmq9A
PLEASE JOIN US FOR THESE EVENTS!
at the Delta Beauséjour Hotel, Moncton
CUPE NB invites all Presidents of NB Locals to a meeting to discuss concerns and issues affecting all locals in the province. There is no cost for this meeting, but we are asking that you register if you are attending.
January 26th – 11am to 1pm @ the Delta Beauséjour Hotel in Moncton
We encourage all executives to attend and to consider bringing young workers to this event for long-term succession planning for the labor movement and locals.
*There is limited registration for this event and a registration fee of $100
* Registration Deadline is January 20th, 2023
January 26th 2PM to 5:30 PM @ Delta Beausejour in Moncton
January 27TH 9AM to 4PM @ Delta Beausejour in Moncton
Twice daily breaks will be provided.
*Note – the Financial Officer Workshop will be the only course that will last 5 days.
This weeklong is meant to be flexible to accommodate all members, so you can join us for the 5 days, or sign up for individual sessions that are listed below.
*There is limited registration for this event and a registration fee of 100$ per session or 300$ for the week.
* Registration Deadline is January 20th, 2023.
Special Info:
We have a special rate negotiated with the Delta Beausejour for $169 a night, this rate expires on: Saturday, December 24, 2022!
Click here to reserve online: Book your group rate for CUPE Conference
COVID POLICY:
We want to ensure that our event is as safe as possible, and we will be following CUPE’s COVID protocols.
Here are the key protocols for all of the above events:
WEEKLONG SCHOOL WORKSHOPS
| Session #1
January 28th 9AM to January 29th 12PM |
Session #2
January 29th 1PM to January 30th 4PM |
Session #3
January 31st 9AM to February 1st 12PM |
| Financial Officer (weeklong)
|
Financial Officer (weeklong) | Financial Officer (weeklong) |
| Intro to Stewarding | Steward learning series: Grievance Handling, discipline and discharge, members in front of management
|
Transforming Conflict |
| Let- Leadership Essentials | Let – strategic planning – 6 & conflict skills | LET (bylaws, DFR, mobilizing)
|
| Sexual and Domestic Violence at work | Public Speaking | Mental health and accommodation-friendly workplaces
|
| Women’s Rights and Leadership | Harassment and bullying at work | LET – Parliamentary Procedure |
| Bargaining – analyzing your CA and surveying membership | Anti–oppression / racism training | Steward Learning Series: Conflict Skills, Ally Skills, and DFR. |
| Intro to stewarding (French) | Representing Members (French) | LET (French) |
LF/lwl*cope491
The anti-worker bill known as “Bill 23” was rammed through Friday, December 16, 2022. Let’s mobilize to urge MLAs to repeal this bad law, or assume the consequences that will follow in not doing so.
Without consultation from any unions, PC MLA and Labour Minister Trevor Holder significantly amended the NB Public Labour Relations Act (PSLRA) through Bill 23. The PSLRA concerns the rules on all unionized worker-employer relations in the provincial public sector. It covers rules around lockouts, strikes, designations, picketing, arbitration, negotiations and much more. Instead of improving labour relations, Bill 23 tilts the balance in the government’s favour.
These changes create instability and legalize scabbing. This will generate unnecessary friction during conflicts.
Instead of focusing on fully staffing our public services in times of labour peace, Holder and PC MLAs are only caring about staffing if and when it gives more strength to their lockouts. This bill must be overturned.
Read the poll results here: https://angusreid.org/premiers-performance-dec-2022/
Ignoring the basic needs of residents while sitting on huge budget surpluses is shameful. It is not a surprise that Angus Reid, a Canadian polling firm, revealed that less than 28% of New Brunswickers are satisfied with Blaine Higgs and his team.
Enough with the inaction on staff shortages. Enough with the delays and closures of emergency rooms. Enough of the disrespect for workers. Enough with the pro-scab laws. Enough with pushing people into poverty. New Brunswickers are ready to show this Premier the door.
Read our message to members to celebrate this historical labour event in New Brunswick
Loading...
This Saturday, the collective agreement covering close to 4,400 unionized nursing home workers in New Brunswick will expire. The agreement between the NB Council of Nursing Home Unions (NBCNHU) and their employer, the NB Nursing Home Association, is effective from October 16, 2016 to October 15, 2022.
A resident and a CUPE nursing home worker – Woodstock NB, 2022
“We look forward to see the employers, represented by the NB Nursing Home Association and the Government of New Brunswick which funds non-profit nursing homes, to both be ready to be constructive partners in the coming negotiations,” said Sharon Teare, president of the NBCNHU.
Negotiations have not yet begun. Sharon Teare is hoping that the past few years and the healthcare crisis have opened the eyes of the government to the urgent need to improve staffing, working conditions, and senior care.
During the last quarterly fiscal update, GNB reported a year-end surplus of $777.3 million for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022. “There is no rational reason to see government deny or delay fair bargaining with workers,” said Teare.
Over the previous two years, nursing home staff did their duties in the most at-risk workplaces, yet none received any bonuses, “COVID-pay” or recruitment aid of any sort from the Provincial government.
“Even before we factor in inflation, there is much catch-up to do in terms of wages, working conditions, and pensions. I believe we can hammer out a new contract over the next month or weeks even. I hope the government shares our commitment to improve senior care,” concluded Teare.
Fredericton, NB – CUPE Local 1252, representing over 9000 healthcare workers in New Brunswick, was successful in its grievance to have National Truth and Reconciliation Day (NTRD) recognized. 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.
“Thanks to the diligent activism of indigenous communities, public pressure, and organized labour, Premier Higgs had no choice but to recognize September 30th – The Truth and Reconciliation Day, as an official provincial holiday,” said Trent Snikkers, the CUPE Servicing representative who argued the grievance for CUPE 1252.
Back in 2021, Premier Higgs had flatly refused to recognize September 30th as an official Holiday. A month later, CUPE members had to go on strike for fair wages. “The strike taught us all that the only time Higgs listens to workers, indigenous peoples, or rural communities is when they push back. That’s why multiple CUPE locals filed grievances in 2022 so the NTRD be recognized. I commend the workers who pushed the government to go beyond lip service to Truth and Reconciliation,” said Steve Drost, President of CUPE NB.
CUPE stands in solidarity with the Miꞌkmaq, Wolastoqey, and Peskotomuhkati nations, whose traditional lands are in the Maritime Provinces of Canada. Recognizing September 30th is important to heal the wounds of the past. We cannot forget the children who attended “Indian Day Schools”, the Sussex Vale School, and the Shubenacadie Residential School. The colonial goal of these institutions was plainly stated as “to kill the Indian in the heart of the child”. This was one of the multiple methods put in place by governments to destroy Indigenous culture, identity, and collective power.
In his written decision, Arbitrator Breen ordered the province to properly compensate all affected employees for September 30, 2021.
“As trade unionists, we strive to make reconciliation a tangible reality in our lives, in our workplaces, and through our collective agreements,” said Trent Snikkers.
BrunswickNews Article – Published on September 4, 2022
Reload document 
Open in new tab