“Even by the standards of this government, which has gone after the deficit with outrageous abandon, the loss of highly-skilled experts in crime fighting is beyond comprehension,” said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas

Union asks Labour Relations Board to rule lockout illegal.

More government worksites struck to bring pressure on government to negotiate a new collective agreement.

“This report amounts to an admission that the B.C. government’s forest policies have failed,” says BCGEU President Darryl Walker.

“OPSEU is calling on this employer to wake up and see that their games and delays are unacceptable,” says OPSEU President, Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

B.C. Human Rights Tribunal orders company to pay woman fired for being pregnant.

Vancouver (22 Aug. 2012) - A woman who was fired after disclosing to her boss that she was pregnant has received an $11,000 settlement from the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal.

With Europe in a financial crisis the question remains how far is Canada willing to go to achieve a deal?

Ottawa (16 Aug. 2012) – While negotiators for the proposed Canada-European Union trade deal say that negotiations are in the final stages, serious concerns continue to be raised about some of the provisions expected to be in the agreement. It is reported that negotiators have reached agreement on 3/4s of the text but that there are some serious issues remaining to be addressed.

OPSEU/NUPGE members are trying to resolve outstanding issues in bargaining before strike deadline.

Governments have a role to play in ensuring citizens live healthy lives.

Ottawa (15 Aug. 2012) - The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) released results of a poll indicating that the health of Canadians is suffering due to the widening gap between the rich and poor in Canada. Results show that one in four Canadians earning less than $30,000 a year say they have put off, or stopped buying, prescription drugs because they can’t afford them; one in four has skipped meals.

"The three-way worker-agency-client employment relationship poses challenges to the effectiveness of agency injury prevention initiatives." - Institute for Work and Health

“There is a lot of work ahead and the employer should understand that the membership is determined to see them live up to this agreement and the process it outlines.” - Joan Jessome, NSGEU President.

Health workers looking for more movement from employers when bargaining resumes.

MGEU/NUPGE is touring the province to solicit ideas and feedback from EMS members on what the union will eventually present to the EMS Review committee, a meeting tentatively scheduled for the end of August.

Talks break down for OPSEU/NUPGE members; arbitrator sought.

The dispute, dating back to 2009, revolves around whether or not “bumping”, or layoff by reverse seniority, is permitted under the Civil Service Act. 
 

Fredericton (10 Aug. 2012) - The New Brunswick Union of Public and Private Employees (NBU/NUPGE) is welcoming a decision by the New Brunswick Court of Appeal.