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'Cuts that are irresponsible in our current economic situation.' - BCGEU President Darryl Walker.
Vancouver (28 Aug. 2009) - The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) says the new throne speech of the Gordon Campbell government does little to ease concerns about the future of vital public services in the province.
"This throne speech signals widespread cuts that are irresponsible in our current economic situation," says BCGEU President Darryl Walker.
References to cuts in the throne speech were vague but they signal an uncertain future for health care, community social service, and other public services in British Columbia.
"The cuts that have been made so far have affected the most vulnerable," notes Walker, referring to the recent reductions in legal aid, libraries, literacy programs, student aid, housing, seniors' services and mental health and addictions services. "It seems like the opposite of what British Columbians need right now."
The BCGEU is also critical of a general lack of planning by the government that might have avoided the rash of cutbacks now threatening to deepen the impact of the recession.
"Just a few months ago the government was saying that everything was fine and now we are looking at deeper cuts and larger deficits," says Walker.
"Communities rely on public services and public sector employment to stay alive. If the government follows through on plans from earlier this year to cut up to 5% of the public service, we will see a huge impact on local economies that are already suffering. It could mean as many as 1,500 jobs cut, and over $200 million in lost economic activity in communities around B.C."
On the issue of a public sector wage freeze, Walker adds:
"The government offers contradictory messages when talking about the public service. They re-announce a wage freeze but then talk about rejuvenation of the public service. They are well aware of the issues we face in recruitment and retention in the public sector. Wages and other ways to solve these issues are something that we will be discussing at the bargaining table next year."
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