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Workers face wide-range of health and safety concerns as well as attacks on job security, wages and benefits.
Ottawa (11 May 2009) - The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) will host a mid-May meeting in Ottawa of highways maintenance workers from Component unions across the country.
"These workers provide a vital service for both public safety and Canada's commercial activity," says NUPGE national president James Clancy.
"They face a wide range of health and safety concerns as well as ongoing attacks on their job security, wages and benefits. This meeting is intended to bring representatives of the sector together to share ideas and strategies that could address some of our members concerns."
Among the matters considered will be measures to require motorists to reduce speed when driving in work zones. While some provinces have increased fines for speeding in construction zones, and instituted related public information campaigns, a number of provinces have still not taken action.
Also high on the list of topics is the ongoing threat of highways privatization. As provincial and federal governments consider extensive investment in public infrastructure, workers in this sector want to see these jobs remain in the public realm.
"I am looking forward to this meeting," says Clancy. "These members will be bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. I think it will definitely help the sector move forward."
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