This is an archive of news stories and research from the National Union of Public and General Employees. Please see our new site - https://nupge.ca - for the most current information.
'The scapegoating of public employees by The Economist is an insidious way of dividing public and private sector workers who actually share the same aspirations.' - James Clancy.
Ottawa (14 Jan. 2011) - The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) has responded to a vitriolic attack by The Economist on public employees and public sector unions around the world.
In a letter to the London-based publication, James Clancy, NUPGE's national president, says the publication misrepresented the economic context of the situation by failing to provide readers with an analytical report of the causes of the global recession and its impact on public finances and workers.
"First of all, I’d like to make the obvious point which is conveniently missing from your article," Clancy writes.
"It wasn’t the public sector, public employees or their unions that caused the debt and deficit crisis that governments are scrambling to deal with. The crisis was caused by greedy bankers and a lack of controls on a financial system run amok," he emphasizes.
"It’s more than a little bizarre and offensive that The Economist would publish an attack on public sector workers but not mention the real culprits of the global economic meltdown who continue to pay themselves millions of dollars in salaries and bonuses," Clancy adds.
"Secondly, in Canada (indeed, throughout the world), the public sector has been downsized and privatized; public employees have struggled with layoffs and had their wages and benefits reduced or frozen for over a decade," he notes.
"Most public employees we represent earn a fair but decent wage for the services they provide. The home care workers, correctional officers, social workers, emergency response providers and clerical workers we represent have actually seen their workloads increase and their wages fall in real and relative terms during this period," the letter adds.
"The scapegoating of public employees by The Economist is an insidious way of dividing public and private sector workers who actually share the same aspirations – to have a decent job, provide a good life for their families and contribute to their communities."
No apologies
Finally, Clancy says NUPGE makes no apologies for being a social and political union.
"In Canada we would not have universal health care, quality public education, unemployment insurance benefits or a strong public pension system without unions," he argues.
"The services and programs our members deliver are an integral part of tackling inequality and providing a good quality of life for all families in Canada. We believe that protecting our members' interest is actually protecting the interests of the public and we’ll continue to fight for quality public services for all citizens of our country."
Clancy says The Economist may speak for corporations but the publication and its supporters are out of touch with ordinary people.
"While conservative spectators like The Economist are critiquing public sector unions and their members, millions upon millions of other workers, retirees, and students around the world are joining with us to fight government austerity programs and protect public services," he notes.
"Your article asks public sector workers and their unions to sing a different song. Maybe it's The Economist who should change its tune. We're not expecting Solidarity Forever, but maybe Let’s Work Together.”
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