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"Nova Scotians do not support this government selling off its’ public services. They work hard, pay their taxes, and deserve to get good public services in return." — Joan Jessome, NSGEU President
Halifax (08 Sept. 2015) — The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees' Union (NSGEU/NUPGE) has launched a new campaign designed to raise awareness of the consequences of privatization and service cuts from the provincial Liberal government.
New NSGEU/NUPGE campaign highlights government record of cuts and privatization of public services
“Stephen McNeil didn’t campaign on making massive cuts or privatizing, but so far, his Liberal government has closed rural courthouses, visitor information centres and land registry offices, and cut funding to non-profit groups, new graduates and the film industry,” said NSGEU President Joan Jessome.
“There’s now a real possibility they will move on to privatize our land and motor vehicle registry, the registry of joint stocks, and hospital food services, and there’s still a possibility that they will further contract out our home care services."
"Nova Scotians do not support this government selling off its’ public services. They work hard, pay their taxes, and deserve to get good public services in return," said Jessome.
Privatization hands over responsibility to companies in business to please shareholders, not the public
“People understand that when a government privatizes a service, it hands over responsibility for ensuring we all receive quality services to a company that answers first and foremost to its own shareholders. We’ve seen that very clearly with Nova Scotia Power,” Jessome added.
Instead of reinvesting revenues back into community services and local economies, profits are taken out of Nova Scotia, and we lose good jobs in the process.
McNeil's Movers to build support for public services
The “McNeil’s Movers” campaign includes a 30-second television advertisement, website and social media component (#McNeilsMovers). NSGEU/NUPGE members and members of the public are encouraged to visit the site, find out more about what’s at stake, sign a petition and even upload a photo and share it to their own social media accounts.
“It’s fitting that we are kicking off this campaign on Labour Day, a day where we celebrate the sacrifices and accomplishments made by Canadian workers,” said Jessome,
“Nova Scotians need to work together to protect the public services we all rely upon, as well as the rights and benefits that have been won by workers over the years.”
More information:
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