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“Our members are telling us they need more information and time before they vote on this tentative agreement.” — Joan Jessome, NSGEU President
Halifax (07 Dec. 2015) — The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE) will be holding information sessions with its Civil Service Locals over the next five to six weeks. This is being done to allow time to meet with the membership face to face prior to setting the date for the vote on the tentative agreement reached on November 13, 2015.
NSGEU/NUPGE members want more information before voting on tentative agreement
“Government interference in the normal collective bargaining process has caused a great deal of confusion among the membership, and mistrust,” says Jessome. “Our members are telling us they need more information and time before they vote on this tentative agreement.”
The information sessions will begin on December 8. In many instances they will take place during an already scheduled Local union meeting.
Normal ratification process takes time
“Our normal process for the ratification of a tentative agreement in the Civil Service has been to meet with members and then hold a mail-in ballot. It has always been time consuming but has also allowed us to hear from all the members and ensures they have a voice,” says Jessome. “After initially considering a faster process, we are now returning to our normal process. We have a right to carry out a vote in the way our membership sees fit.”
Jessome concluded, “Meeting with the membership is more difficult this time of year because there are approximately two weeks where no meetings can be held due to the holidays. But we will take the time needed to allow for full input by our members.”
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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