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BCGEU and HSABC members among organizations and citizens banding together to preserve health and social services. - Updated.
Vancouver (7 April 2010) - The Coalition to Build a Better BC will hold a rally on Saturday to fight government cuts to arts and culture funding, seniors’ services, early childhood education and infant development, mental health and addictions services, the disabled and an array of social services.
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Two Components of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) are key members of the coalition, including the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) and the Health Sciences Association of B.C. (HSABC/NUPGE).
"Last November, the B.C. Federation of Labour (BCFL) called a meeting of labour affiliates and community organizations concerned about the future of British Columbia," BCGEU notes.
"The response was strong. We need to work together, across sectors, to speak out against what's happening to our province," the union adds.
"Since that initial meeting, the coalition has grown to over 25 active groups who are working to coordinate responses to cuts, as well as develop our strategy for how we will build a better B.C."
HSABC is also an active member of the coalition, which includes groups from the arts community, first nations, health care, community services, organized labour, post-secondary students, youth, environmental and faith groups.
The rally will be held at noon on Saturday (April 10) at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Hosted by musician and actor Jim Byrnes, the rally will feature musical performances in a family friendly atmosphere. Look for HSABC’s information table.
“Our union has joined the coalition because our members want to send a strong message to health authorities and to the provincial government,” says HSABC president Reid Johnson.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
More information:
• Download poster for April 10 Rally in Vancouver - pdf
• The Coalition to Build a Better BC
• HSABC Website
• BCGEU website