UPSE President

Comments

(Comments from Spring/Summer Advocate, Posted July 8, 2010)

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

I send thanks on behalf of the Board of Directors for your assistance and patience which allowed us to delay the 2009 annual convention into the 2010 fiscal year. Your Board of Directors made a difficult decision to delay the convention as a result of the H1N1 pandemic we were facing. Safety is our utmost concern and the Board agreed we should not put anyone in jeopardy.

To say 2009 was a historical moment for all would be an understatement. What a year we had with the markets crashing, reduced employment, bail outs, pension attacks, and most recently, attacks on our public service. Stimulus packages were created to kick start the economy and to boost consumer confidence in Canada (and around the globe). The corporate world and the ruling class certainly used this historical moment to their advantage. We saw many companies go out of business, saw the elimination of pension plans, job losses and whole communities affected by the down turn. However, at the same time, we saw CEO's and Executives benefit from the stimulus we Canadians provided.

Suprisingly, much of the economic carnage was avoided in PEI! Our economy actually grew in 2008 and 2009 by 0.7% and 0.6% respectively. However, this did not stop the Ghiz government from using the "economic crisis" as a means to threaten the public service. In other words, if you don't want to lose jobs then don't expect any wage increases through negotiations! And at the same time the Liberals were busy threatening the public service they were also busy handing out loads of cash to their friends, writing off loans that cost tax payers millions, and relaxing regulations that controlled private sector borrowing.

The Ghiz government has also become very creative in the way they intrepret collective agreements. They have found the most obscure ways to save money by denying benefits to members. The lack of respect shown for our bargaining units and our Union has been very disappointing. Some examples of this include refusing to reply to emails and phone calls, refusing to meet with the Union to consult, delaying the bargaining process, delaying the response to grievances, and the list goes on.

We are seeing eight of our bargaining units head to the table this year, in both the private and public sectors. Many of these tables have shown uncertainty and difficulties. Our teams are geared up and equipped with what they need to make improvements for you the members. For the first time ever, the Department of Health will head to arbitration to settle the outstanding issues left at the table. The employer has simply chosen to ignore important issues our members want addressed.

The Civil Service, IRAC and WCB bargaining unit are now heading to arbitration after parties were unable to reach a settlement in June through conciliation. Once again the government has been resistant to address the issues on the table. You may recall that the Premier and his Minister of Finance began the bargaining process in the media by threatening the public service. We are very disappointed in our government who has shown little respect and understanding for the collective bargaining process. We have not taken these tactics lightly and have initiated a "Value of Public Service Campaign" in response. The campaign sheds light on the essential public services our members provide each and every day, and that governments responsibility is to ensure these services are available for all Islanders!

The Liberal Government continues to talk out of both sides of its mouth. Day after comments were made about the deficit, about belt tightening, and about reduced spending. Yet during this time we have seen two departments relocated; we have seen plans to move the Paint and Body shop; we have seen a move to create yet another corporate Health Board; we have seen many new jobs end up in the excluded division; we have seen more contracting out of jobs; and the list goes on. Not only is the government taking in more money each year from taxes, they are also spending more - but their priorities are largely misplaced.

That being said, we must still give credit where credit is due. Our provincial government is putting more money into the development of our children from early years to adulthood. Many initiatives have been announced which will provide a solid foundation for our children to progress into the future. Statistics have shown that when you invest in education, you invariably will reduce the poverty in society. A more educated society will ultimately engender a healthier, and wealthier community to live in.

Holland College has been the recipient of both provincial and federal monies which will expand educational opportunities for Island children. These initiatives will see the delivery of new courses being offered, additional seats in existing courses, and will see courses being offered in rural areas. The Liberal Government has also made recent announcements aimed at reducing the inequality of Early Childhood Development on Prince Edward Island. The PEI Union of Public Sector Employees has been a driving force behind raising awareness in the Early Childhood sector. In 2004, PEI UPSE entered into discussions with the provincial government about the need to adopt a National Child Care Program.

This program would have ensured that no child was left behind when it comes to early learning. The initiative was to address the need for affordable childcare for every child, and the need to increase wages for those looking after and educating the children. However, when the Harper government came into power the national child care initiative was eliminated. And so, we are pleased to see the Liberal Government bringing early childhood education back to the forefront. Our future is in the hands of our children.

On the bargaining front, Garden Home, Tremploy, Child Development Centre, and the YMCA Child Care Centre will all be heading to the table in the near future. We wish them well in their endeavour to achieve a collective agreement for our members.

I want to welcome our newest bargaining unit, Whisperwood Villa. Approximately seventy employees from Whisperwood Villa have voted to join our great Union. Bargaining shall commence in the near future for these new members. This new bargaining unit is comprised of employees from nursing, dietary and housekeeping. We would like thank these employees for choosing PEI UPSE as their Union of choice to represent them into the future. We look forward to working with you for many years to come.

Pension reform is finally getting the recognition it needs. The Federal government is touring our country in an attempt to get advice from Canadaians on the issue of pension security. The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Guaranteed Income Supplement are in need of changes to prevent our retirees from living in poverty. We are in the early stages of seeing changes and are hopeful the federal governments will make changes for the benefit of all Canadians, not just a chosen few. No Canadian should have to retire into poverty. Retirement security is for everyone!

In closing, I hope you take the time to read the Advocate to keep informed about your Union and about the issues your brothers and sisters are facing. You will see that your Union is in motion and is moving confidently into the future!

I would like to thank all PEI UPSE members for providing the vital services you provide to the public every day. Without you our quality of life of Prince Edward Island would be greatly diminished. You are an essential part of what makes Prince Edward Island a safe, productive and beautiful place to live. The summer months are here. Make sure you get that needed time off spent with family and friends.

In Solidarity,
Shelley Ward, President
PEI Union of Public Sector Employees