NSGEU fighting any cuts to deputy sheriff services

'Our deputy sheriff members have made it very clear that public safety is at risk if these cuts go ahead.' - Joan Jessome.

Halifax (15 July 2010) - The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE) is fighting to prevent cuts to deputy sheriff services at various justice centres across the province.

“We have advised the employer that the proposed reductions are too extensive," says NSGEU president Joan Jessome.

"From all that we have heard, there does not appear to be any need for 13 term employees and 10 permanent employees to have their hours reduced. In fact, our deputy sheriff members have made it very clear that public safety is at risk if these cuts go ahead.”

Jessome says NSGEU had "no role" in the plan to reduce hours for deputy sheriffs.

"The employer has been recently indicating that the conversion of casual deputy sheriffs has resulted in a higher complement of staff than is needed but neither the union nor its members have seen any evidence of this overcapacity,” she adds.

Jessome says the employer has been meeting with the union as required under the NSGEU's collective agreement.

“We have been meeting recently with Public Service Commission (PSC) and department of justice officials to see if they might reconsider their projected work reductions. We hope to hear from them shortly about their response to our suggestions.”

NSGEU will not rest until all safety concerns expressed by the union and the public are fully addressed, she adds.

"We are also planning information sessions with deputy sheriffs around the province to hear the full extent of their concerns about these cuts.”

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