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President's Update, April 2016
Hi all, hope this update finds you well. Sorry that it's been a bit since our last update. It has been a busy time in April, and we will do these on a monthly basis. Here you will find a few snippets of what's happened during the month.
Please share this with your union membership with your co-workers and others, ask them to like us on Facebook and to follow us on Twitter.
Members can also sign up to get these updates on our website.
What if I am Retired?
The Nova Scotia Federation of Union Retirees (NSFUR) is active. So if you are a retired member or soon to be retired and want to help join us. NSFUR is in the process of creating provincial area councils to provide retirees more opportunities to participate in campaigns in their regions. NSFUR provides a voice and a vehicle for retirees and membership is only $12 per year. call our office for information 902.454.6735
In solidarity, DANNY CAVANAGH, President
Labour Federation questions private delivery of any health services.
In a media release the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour President Danny Cavanagh says he is not pleased with the news that the Nova Scotia Health Care Authority has approached privately-owned Scotia Surgery to see if they can possibly carry our more operations in the coming months during the seven year replacement of the aging components at the VG Hospital.
“I can’t believe that after the recent million dollar decision of the McNeil Government not to privatize the motor vehicles, land and joint stock registries, that it would even consider allowing the private sector anywhere near our health care system, Says Cavanagh. Click the below button to read the entire release.
The below graphic is something we did to use on social media. We know that many seniors were left baffled during a provincial pharmacare debate we had here in Nova Scotia. The NSFL will continue and work to get a national program. Feel free to use the image in your social media communications. We will be working on images that tell a quick story for social media. It's a great way to build a growing audience of supporters for our causes to build the kind of province we want.
Thanks Kyle's MacDonald to retire
Pictured above is the office staff as we took Kyle out to lunch in early April. Kyle took on a new position with the NDP and ended his role as the NSFL treasurer. It was appropriate to show our appreciation to him for his time with us as the treasurer and under his contract working with us.
We were saddened to learn that our friend Maureen Macdonald submitted her resignation to the Speaker of the House in April. Maureen MacDonald is well-respected throughout our province and in her community as a hard working down-to-earth person. We know she worked hard every day to make life better for those around her. We wish her well and offer her our best as she moves into a new chapter of her life. Pictured below is Maureen speaking to the NSFL convention.
CUPE NS Convention ----------- April 28th.
I had the opportunity to speak and attend the CUPE Nova Scotia convention in Yarmouth.
It was a great conference with a lot of real good debate on the many important resolutions. Pictured above is me speaking to the CUPE delegates. Attending conventions is great because I get to hear the issues of the union members and locals and to listen to the delegates thoughts and concerns.
Congratulations to Sister Nan McFadgen, she was elected as the president of CUPE Nova Scotia at the convention. Seen above is a picture of Nan and I we took at the conference. The Federation is looking forward to working together with CUPE on the many issues facing the members of CUPE. There were some excellent resolutions passed at the convention, and there is a lot of work to accomplish as we move forward together with CUPE.
Pictured above I am laying a wreath at the April 28th event at province house.
It was a good event and we are looking to build on this event in the coming years.
I spoke to those gathered and I was pleased to see a number of union members there and the laying of wreaths by so many union members and others from the community.
Threads Of Life Its Public not private
We did some work to help promote the threads of life and will continue to support the orginazation. On average in Canada three people will die on the job. These people leave behind families, friends and co-workers devastated by this tragic loss. Threads of Life was the first organization in the world to offer a peer support program to family members who are living in the aftermath of a workplace tragedy. Peer support is provided by |
While we are relieved that the McNeil Government has decided to pass on the idea of privatizing the motor vehicles, land and joint stock registries, the question is why this idea was even being considered. We issued a media release on this and we are pleased the NSGEU members working in these departments will continue to provide these public services. |
NSFL Bursaries NS Budget 2016
The NSFL offers six $1,000 bursaries to full-time students entering or returning to post-secondary studies. The Alex “Sugarcamp” MacDonald Memorial Bursary The Glenda Cooper Memorial Bursary The J.K. Bell Memorial Bursary The Joe Gannon Memorial Bursary Leo F. McKay Memorial Bursary The NSFL Bursary in partnership with Higgins General Insurance |
Supporting Nova Scotians Who Need It Most” is the headline on the Liberals’ 2016 – 2017 Budget, but a read of the documents show not much of an improvement for those in need. NSFL president Danny Cavanagh says there are areas where the Liberals fall short in their commitments to end child poverty, improve access to healthcare and improve education. |
A few more things to chew on......
A group of labour activist pictured above gathered after the NS budget to discuss the outcomes and views of people. It was a good meeting and productive. It was another first and not be the last time we do this with others who are striving for the province we want.
I joined in with members of ACCORN and the Postal workers at the information picket. Many of our communities have a post office that could provide financial services. Nearly two million Canadians desperately need an alternative to payday lenders. A postal bank could be that alternative. Check out CUPW for more info.
We had the opertunity to have a sit down with the new leader of the NDP, Gary Burrell.
It was a great discussion about whats happening in our labour world and how we can build ties with the NDP and focus on moving forward with issues important to union members.
NSFL 1st ever all committee day a success.
Pictured above are some shots from the 1st NSFL all committee gathering. We brought committee members through a review of committee roles and responsabilities. We also spoke about budgets, work plans and mission statements for our committees. It was a great day and everyone it seemed was pleased with the event. Almost 50 people gathered from all seven of our committees.
Couple of more events to share.
Pictured to your right I am speaking to the Nova Scotia Nurses union convention. It was a great convention and i am sorry I couldn't be there longer then I was. promise to be there much longer in 2017. Thanks for the invite.
Pictured at the bottom is the group of activist that gathered at the South Shore April 28th service in Lunnenburg. I was pleased to join you for your very nice event.
Why a P3 Hospital in Halifax will be bad for tax-payers and patients.
P3 Hospitals are designed, built, owned and operated by corporations, and focused on profit, not patients. They are popping up more and more frequently in countries such as Canada, USA, Australia, and England.Click the link below to learn more.
The Postal Workers Union wins Big in court.
Posties Win Big:
Tory Back-to-Work Legislation Ruled Unconstitutional.
“This is a win for workers everywhere,” said Mike Palecek, President of the CUPW
Postal workers were cheering the ruling that the former Conservative government violated its members’ freedom of association by legislating them back to work on June 26, 2011.
The fight for $15 continues.
Our work on the fight for $15 continues and pictured above is the Halifax event for the April 15th national day of action. This was held by a number of local organizations including the Halifax Labour Council, the Congrees, and ACORN.
The action was held by the MacDonalds on Spring garden road and it's important to note that McDonald's CEO Steve Easterbrook received a 368% pay raise while the fast food chain's workers demand livable wages across the USA and Canada.
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