NSGEU Civil Service bargaining committee recommends rejection of government offer

Members "want to have a chance to negotiate with their employer, have their issues heard, and vote on an agreement that hasn’t been dictated to them by Premier McNeil." — Joan Jessome, NSGEU President

Halifax (25 Jan. 2016) — As a result of the Nova Scotia government’s heavy-handed legislative interference, and after weeks of consultation with members, the Civil Service bargaining committee has decided to change their earlier recommendation to the membership. They are now recommending that the members reject the government’s final offer.

NSGEU civil service members want to negotiate a contract, not vote on forced offer

The Bargaining Unit Negotiating Committee (BUNC) voted this afternoon 96 per cent in favour of recommending rejection.

“We’ve spent the past weeks speaking with thousands of civil servants, and we’ve heard overwhelmingly that these members are not prepared to accept the final offer the Liberal government is trying to force upon them with Bill 148,” said NSGEU President Joan Jessome.

“The members are upset — and rightfully so — that this government has refused to allow the collective bargaining process to unfold. They want to have a chance to negotiate with their employer, have their issues heard, and vote on an agreement that hasn’t been dictated to them by Premier McNeil," she said.

Mail-in ballot ratification vote in coming weeks

The union will be holding a mail-in ratification vote with the membership in the coming weeks.

If the members vote to reject the government’s offer, the union will explore every option to reach an agreement with the employer at the table.

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 360,000 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