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"I am calling on Justice Minister Lena Diab to immediately instruct Legislative Counsel staff to ensure everyone has an opportunity to be heard,” said NSGEU President Joan Jessome.
Halifax (01 Oct. 2014) — Nova Scotia health care workers who are trying to have their names added to the speakers’ list at the Law Amendments committee so they can voice their concerns about Bill 1 are being told that Law Amendments may be cut off at 7 p.m. on October 1, giving them no opportunity to speak.
Health care workers being blocked from speaking about their concerns at Law Amendments committee
After being told by dozens of people that health care workers weren’t being given times to speak at Law Amendments committee, the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE) investigated. When the union called to see if workers would have a chance to speak after October 1, the union was told, “I don’t know.”
“All we’re doing now is taking names down because all the time slots are full,” said the Law Amendments committee staff member.
When pressed about whether people would be given an opportunity to speak, the staff member said, “I don’t know,” and indicated they were awaiting instruction from the Liberal government.
Silencing affected workers is the second major blow to health care workers
“First, they introduce a bill that will take away the constitutional right of more than 23,000 people to vote on their union representation. Now, they are trying to take away their right to voice their opinion on the legislation. I am calling on Justice Minister Lena Diab to immediately instruct Legislative Counsel staff to ensure everyone has an opportunity to be heard,” said NSGEU President Joan Jessome.
“This is yet another unacceptable attack on the rights of health care workers.”
NSGEU/NUPGE has confirmed that more than 100 people have not been given times to speak at the Law Amendments committee.
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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