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"As the trade union movement has well pointed out, it is growth and decent jobs, not austerity, which are essential to beating the crisis and putting an end to the growing inequality and poverty around the globe." - James Clancy, NUPGE National President.
Ottawa (6 Oct. 2011) - The 340,000 members of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) join with the global trade union movement to celebrate World Day for Decent Work (WDDW) on October 7, 2011. This initiative, launched four years by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) of which NUPGE is a member, encourages a holistic approach to the world of work, which includes the right to quality jobs, social protection, worker's rights and social dialogue.
October 7 is a day for mobilization all over the world by all those who believe that decent work must be at the centre of government actions to bring back economic growth and build a new global economy that puts people first.
"We have taken this idea of Decent Work to heart," says James Clancy, NUPGE National President. "Our All Together Now! campaign, which is now in its second year, is focused on protecting quality public services but also on preserving decent jobs as well as answering the question of how we pay for it, especially in difficult economic times."
"As the trade union movement has well pointed out, it is growth and decent jobs, not austerity, which are essential to beating the crisis and putting an end to the growing inequality and poverty around the globe."
As the All Together Now! campaign illustrates, it is not the public sector which caused the economic crisis in the first place, nor should it bear the brunt of the repercussions. "If anything a strong, reliable public sector will continue to help countries weather the storm," Clancy said. "Governments must look to the financial sector for the true culprits of the collapse and make real changes to ensure it serves the human needs of its citizens."
More information:
International Trade Union Confederation - World Day for Decent Work
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