All Together Now!

Activists in over 30 countries pile pressure on Governments to back a Robin Hood Tax, as leaders discuss FTT at European Summit

While income inequality has begun to receive the attention it deserves, CMIS is determined to start a serious debate on the economic development strategy for this country.

Young trade unionists from all over the world are meeting prior to the G20 Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting to discuss the dramatic situation of young people looking for a job.

“Income inequality is the greatest social and economic challenge facing Canada today,” said James Clancy, NUPGE President.

Of course, the country can afford pensions for some people. Pretty good pensions, in fact. CEO’s and the Executive ranks are doing quite OK in their retirement.

“At some point during the crisis, three of Canada’s banks—CIBC, BMO, and Scotiabank—were completely under water, with government support exceeding the market value of the company,” says Macdonald. “Without government supports to fall back on, Canadian banks would have been in serious trouble.”

The world needs to create 50 million jobs to return to pre-crisis employment levels, according to the ILO, but fiscal austerity and tough labour market reforms threaten a true jobs recovery.

"Is this the new PEI? The government would do well to remember that they have a responsibility to invest in and maintain public services for all Islanders – especially the most vulnerable." - Shelly Ward, PEIUPSE President.

Watch new video interviews from the Women 4 Change training session.

Modern day Robin Hoods disrupt traffic in financial district chanting "Tax Wall Street and End AIDS". 

The myriad assaults on the nation being implemented by Harper are really just the latest chapter in what has been a revolution of lowered expectations: a deliberate and systematic culture war on

“We want C4Ps to focus on a positive message which talks about the impact workplace pensions have in providing seniors with decent retirement income as well as creating a strong and healthy economy.”

“Austerity,” she said, “is not the remedy. Austerity will only increase inequality and push up demand for public services. It will reduce government revenues and drive up the deficit over time.”

The federal budget will increase income inequality, decrease the quality of life for Canadians and slow economic recovery. 

"We’re calling on this government to deliver a transparent budget that protects the services Canadians rely on and scrap costly programs like new prisons and fighter jets that don’t reflect the priorities of mainstream Canada.”

Government’s move to prevent Air Canada employees from going on a legal strike, in part because it might interfere with March Break, most recent example of disregard for democracy, even our Constitution.

“Government talks about attracting workers to the province while at the same time it is forcing highly skilled young workers to look elsewhere for their economic future,” said Furlong.

“When, because of traditions, social taboos or simple prejudice, half of the world’s population is prevented from making its contribution to the life of a nation, the economy will suffer.”

"What this province needs is a new kind of accord to chart the best way forward. Respectful discussion and serious thought can build a prosperous – and compassionate – future." - Open letter to Premier McGuinty.

A simple remedy: Let’s just all pay our fair share.

“Mr. Drummond wants to take an axe to public services, ignore tax fairness, and actively kill jobs by taking money out of communities." Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President OPSEU/NUPGE

Rather than spending wildly on no-strings attached corporate tax cuts, Harper could have provided tax refunds to corporations after they actually created jobs; instead, job-killers like Caterpillar take our tax money and run.

Presentations to the Commission on Quality Public Services and Tax Fairness range from child care and health care, children and women's rights, workers and the justice system for two days of hearings in Toronto.

Toronto (26 Jan. 2012) - Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) Region 4 Executive Board Member Chris Cormier, takes on the corporate gravy train in the following letter printed in the Jan. 13 edition of the Toronto Sun. Cormier is one of the National Union of Public and General Employees’ All Together Now! campaign's Writers 4 Change. 

Members of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) gathered in Victoria this week to discuss the ongoing Health Accord negotiations and various labour relations and professional practice issues. They were joined by representatives from the B.C Hospital Employees' Union.

“What we have in Ontario is privatization of alcohol sales by stealth,” Christianson concluded. “We’re losing out on millions of dollars that could be spent on public services.”

With Italy, France and Germany already in support, the UK is now the only centre-right Government amongst Europe's five biggest economies not to back the tax.

Keep up-to-date with campaign activities and issues with your copy of the ATN Campaigner.

"It's dangerous to go down a path of looking at reducing government expenditures and dealing with the deficit, in terms of public sector's programs and services, without talking to people." - Judy Wasylycia-Leis, Public Services Foundation of Canada chairperson.

"The time has arrived to study other ways of sustaining good public services in this province through a tax system that can fund programs and services."

"Paul knows that public services are important to building a good quality of life for Canadian families and he understands the need to ensure greater tax fairness in this country. His support for our campaign strengthens our resolve to continue the fight." - James Clancy, NUPGE President.

Provides fact based response to reports to the anecdotal attacks on the public sector from the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (CFIB) and other conservative think tanks.

Statement from the National Executive Board of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE).

The CBC asks the question "What is it like being poor in Canada?" on a live phone-in show. Call in to have your voice heard.

What Kent did stand for, and speak out for, throughout his life, is the public interest. And the debate for the future is about creating a public space where the public interest can be debated, defined, and advanced.

All Together Now! women activists to focus on public services key to achieving life/work balance.

Dignity Denied 2011 illustrates the flaws in our current system of long-term care and offers common sense solutions for positive change.

Retirees 4 Change will champion issues of retirement security and long-term care as part of NUPGE's All Together Now! campaign.

“We want to hear what people have to say on a wide-range of issues …. including what needs are going unmet; are public services receiving the investment they need (and) what options other than taxes or user fees could enhance the government’s ability to raise money for public services."

"The McGuinty government can’t build a strong Ontario if they keep weakening the foundation. They need to stop the cuts before it’s too late.” - Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President.

"Workers are being told to work longer, pay more and receive less," said James Clancy, NUPGE National President. "We stand in solidarity with each and every UNISON member in the fight for decent pensions. Enough is enough."

"The first thing we should be looking at is tax fairness rather than cutting social programs like Medicare." - Elisabeth Ballerman, CHPS Co-Chair and HSAA President.

New research published by the Tax Justice Network shows that tax evasion costs governments around the world more than US$3.1 trillion annually.

"So bailing out the banks while punishing workers is not, in fact, a recipe for prosperity." - Paul Krugman, Nobel Prize winning economist.

"We need to work together to force them to put people before tax cuts and excessive corporate profits." - James Clancy, NUPGE President.

Read Art Macklin's letter to better understand why we need to stop the dismantling of the Canadian Wheat Board.

The Occupy movement is here to stay. It will morph into something else. But it’s not going away until there are serious reforms to our economy and democracy.

All Together Now! rolls out three new, fact-filled pieces in the continuing fight for income equality.

This October employment declined by 54,000 full time positions. October's loss pushed the unemployment rate here in Canada up 0.2 percentage points to 7.3%.

Advocates see progress during meeting as number of countries backing the Robin Hood Tax continues to grow.  Canadians see need for more pressure on Harper government to join.

The 99% and the 0.001% agree on something.  Will Harper government continue to oppose?

Respondents in half of 99 countries surveyed say they do not have confidence in their national governments.

The lawmakers proposal follows a similar measure being discussed by the European Union (EU).

www.labourrights.ca is a valuable research and educational tool for those interested in promoting and protecting labour rights

The Harper government's opposition to the Robin Hood Tax draws criticism from Canada's Occupy movement.

The All Together Now! campaign continues to build a movement in support of quality public services and fighting for tax fairness.

"Such a taxation would be very useful to promote global and sustainable development according to principles of social justice and solidarity". 

"Our organizations say NO to this agreement, which has been negotiated for the sole benefit of transnational corporations at the expense of people's rights and of the protection of the environment," says the declaration.

"Let's send them a clear message: We want you to slow down some of that $1.3 trillion easy money that's sloshing around the global casino each day - enough cash to fund every social program and environmental initiative in the world." 

We are told that this proposed free trade deal with the EU will be good for us, those of us who make up the 99%. That’s as true as the argument that rising incomes for the wealthy will help the economy.

National President James Clancy joined protesters in Ottawa to show solidarity and provide support. NUPGE activists share some of their photos from the weekend.

“The Harper government is not speaking on behalf of most Canadians on this issue." - James Clancy, National President, NUPGE

BCGEU urges provincial government to restore funding to much needed social programs.

"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.

International watchdog points to extremely low tax rates on businesses, low regulation of resource industries and support for tax havens in the Caribbean.

It’s time for true political leaders in Canada to emerge and rise to the challenge of addressing inequality. And the rest of us must be more demanding of our governments to justify their policy choices – will they reduce inequality or make the problem worse?

New Brunswick Union's (NBUPPE/NUPGE) Tom Mann participates in project by the Common Front for Social Justice.

“It is time for the financial sector to make a contribution back to society,” - European Commission President José Manuel Barroso.

An investment in addressing poverty and income inequality in Canada would save billions in the long run.

NUPGE National President James Clancy participates in innovative international Robin Hood Tax campaign video launch and encourages you to join, too.

European campaigners for Robin Hood Tax are optimistic but see next eight weeks as crucial ones for the campaign.

Gap between incomes of rich and poor has been growing at a faster rate than in the United States since the mid-1990s.  Canada has the fourth largest increase in income inequality among its peers.

Statement calls on the international finance institutions to assume leadership in putting a halt to destructive economic policies and to put job creation at the top of their agenda.  

MGEU/NUPGE President Lois Wales responds to misleading editorial in Winnipeg Free Press.  

Poll finds that 30 per cent of Canadians want Parliament to focus on job creation while only nine per cent want debt reduction or tax breaks as a priority and three per cent want to see action on crime.

Walker calls on the B.C. government to hold meaningful talks on the heels of the HST referendum.

Manitoba provincial P.C. candidate Gord Steeves believes private corporations should take over auto insurance. The Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union (MGEU/NUPGE) has responded with a campaign explaining why public insurance is the smart choice for Manitoba families and communities.  

Ottawa is abandoning federal inspection of meat produced for local citizens in BC, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

While the Harper government has rejected the proposal in the past it is hoped that their position will change as a result of the growing international support.

Help save B.C. parks.

Coast guard employee relieved of his duties for publicly disagreeing with the federal government's decision to move the Marine Rescue Centres to Halifax. UPDATED

1,500 members participate in union's first telephone town hall.

"At no time in modern British Columbia have corporations earned so much and contributed so little to public revenue." - Jim Sinclair, president, BC Federation of Labour.

Get the latest news and information about the All Together Now! campaign by downloading the most recent newsletter.

“The lesson of the Mike Harris era is that cuts to public services hurt us all,” said Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) President Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

“Hopefully this report will gain some traction with the broader corporate community and we’ll have a real conversation as to how to rectify this imbalance, before it’s too late.” says James Clancy, NUPGE national president.

All Together Now! conference delegates support Saskatchewan workers as they bargain for decent working conditions.

"It is absolutely unacceptable that the Cameron government is trying to make public sector workers, and working people in general, pay to reduce a deficit that was not of their making."  - James Clancy, National President NUPGE

Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) campaigners welcome support but emphasize that the revenues should be used to tackle poverty and climate change.

HSABC is encouraging members to vote “Yes” to scrap the Harmonized Sales Tax in the current BC-wide referendum.

"The fact that tax fairness is even being debated in the public forum is due in large part to the hard work of our members." - James Clancy, president, NUPGE. UPDATED

In the face of mounting threats to public services around the world, the Council of Global Unions is launching a campaign to defend and promote the value of public services.  

$605 trillion of derivatives speculation in 2010 – it’s time the finance markets paid their way in global economy, says international union body.

“Short-term coercive fixes do not create the conditions for developing long-term solutions to the challenges facing Canadian workers and employers.” CFLR Board Member Judy Fudge

"Our members across the country support postal workers in their efforts to bargain for a solid and profitable corporation, one that treats its workers with dignity and respect, to serve the best interests of Canadians for decades to come." - James Clancy, NUPGE national president.

“We’re witnessing a concerted effort by the new Harper majority government to weaken the rights of workers and the influence of their unions.”

"We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with CAW members and all Air Canada workers and urge you to show these workers the respect they deserve and negotiate a fair deal, including good pension benefits." - James Clancy, NUPGE national president.

The resolution sets a clear direction for upcoming G20 meetings in France over which Nikolas Sarkozy, will be acting as President.

"If the Harper government were really intent on balancing the federal budget by 2014, they would not be giving tax cuts to corporations to the tune of billions of dollars a year." - NAPE President Carol Furlong.

"Continuing the spiral downward, the loss will in turn affect the overall economies in our struggling rural communities." - Joan Jessome, NSGEU president.

On the heels of a federal budget which gives more tax breaks to corporations but signals cuts to the public service, PEIUPSE launches regional meetings on the Value of Public Services.

“A majority of Canadians want the Harper government to cancel its plan for more corporate tax cuts and instead invest the money in the quality public services families need,” said James Clancy, NUPGE national president.

The concept of a tax "freedom" day has always been a corporate sham to undermine the value of the public sector and public services.

A new report released by the University of Alberta's Parkland Institute takes the conversation to the next level by discussing how we can change our tax system to accomplish that goal.

OPSEU plans to "decommission the Drummond Commission" by fighting for quality public services and tax fairness.

Get the latest news and information about the All Together Now! campaign by downloading the most recent newsletter.

Planning gets underway for public service fightback campaign in Ontario.

Five aspects of policy will affect the day-to-day lives of Canadians.

"As we heard from several well respected speakers this week, it is critical that we continue to educate, organize and mobilize our activists and fight for tax fairness and quality public services." - James Clancy, NUPGE president.

Delegates gather to debate issues of economic justice, quality public services and challenges facing working people.

The real question now is whether or not Canada Post is up to the job to be the innovator the country needs. There is a massive opportunity for CEO Deepak Chopra to make a transformative shift in our postal system. Now is the perfect time for Canada Post to open itself to the future, to invest and expand.

Economist David Macdonald and Ottawa Citizen columnist will be taking your questions about party policies on taxes and public services. Join us at http://alltogethernow.nupge.ca/webcast-apr28

"I believe if Canadians are presented with clear choices in this election, they'll choose the Canada that you and I believe in." - James Clancy, President, NUPGE

“With almost half of all MGEU members working directly for the province of Manitoba, it’s important for members to talk about public services and how these services are impacted by taxation. This is a chance for our members to address these issues and get informed,” said Lois Wales, MGEU president.

"This is a unique opportunity for our membership to learn a bit more about the federal party's platforms, especially with respect to fair taxation," said Scott Pattison, HSAA Communications Officer.

Pamphlet urges Canadians to be a “part of Robin Hood’s merry band in our own story of tax fairness.”

“Not one person I’ve spoken to about this campaign has said these cutbacks haven’t hurt them personally or someone they are close to. I’ve always had fire in my belly to make a difference, but this campaign has increased it more.” - Tamara Weber, Champion 4 Change.

Whose Canada? That's the question we want Canadians to think about in this election.

"OPSEU recognizes that the public wants a leader who understands the value of quality public services and is prepared to talk straight about the need to pay for them through a fair tax system. We hope you recognize this as well." - OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

"The bottom line is that the Ghiz government has no concrete plan to ensure that Islanders receive continually improving services. If anything, services for Islanders are in jeopardy." - Shelley Ward, PEIUPSE president.

All Together Now! conducting town hall meetings and forums across the country to discuss questions of tax fairness, public services and the people who deliver them. Updated!

Class, quiet please. Our word for today is “taxes.” It is not a dirty word, it is a good clean honest noun for a healthy civic function in the body politic.

Whose Canada? That's the question we want Canadians to think about in this election. Is it Stephen Harpers? Or is it yours and mine? This is the second poster in our Whose Canada? series. It deals with the issue of crime and how to make our communities safer. Please share it with everyone you know.

A recent report coordinated by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA) highlights the sharp decrease in support for women’s issues under the Harper government.

Spending $6 billion on a tax cut to big corporations and up to $30 billion on fighter jets are simply not on the priority list of most Canadians.

There’s more fresh evidence that the Harper government's drive for ever-lower corporate tax rates has not produced the job creation payoff that the Conservatives have been promising.

The Canadian Press reports that the “32 projects were chosen by Industry Minister Tony Clement, the mayor of Huntsville, and the general manager of Deerhurst Resort” with more of an eye to helping the riding rather than supporting the requirements of the summit or abiding by stipulated government conditions.

"This downsizing fails to address the devastating impact of failing to fill vacancies for our members and the vital services they provide," says NSGEU/NUPGE

The pretense for the attacks is that state governments are broke and radical measures are required to eliminate budget deficits. This is a false argument.

"We may be retired but we are huge in voter numbers so we are pleased to see how the efforts of NUPGE to reach out have been so successful. Grey power may not rule, but it sure does have an impact." Dave and Bonnie Scott, winners.

That's the question we want Canadians to think about.

This show of solidarity will be held on Saturday, April 2 at 2 pm at the Peace Arch Park on the Canada-US border.

“How can the government identify Children’s Aid as a source of savings at a time when programs for abused and neglected children need a major infusion of cash just to keep afloat?” - Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU president.

According to Global Compass Group, the lobby firm hired by Koch Industries to represent its interests, it will focus on issues ranging from taxation policy, energy and resource and economic development.

The speech entitled “Tax cuts, political ideology and corporate profit: Who’s footing the bill” will examine the current economic situation in Canada.

Small GIS increase to go only to those seniors with less than $2,000 income a year.

"We can’t keep cutting social workers, highways workers, educators, and health care workers without putting public health and safety at risk,” says SGEU President Bob Bymoen.

We’ve worked hard to build support for tax fairness, public services and public employees. The only people standing in our way are the Harper Conservatives in Ottawa.

"Tax fairness has been flipped upside down in this country,” said Clancy. “Instead of billion dollar give-aways to corporations, the government should invest the money in the public services that ensure a decent quality of life for all Canadians.”

"In our workplaces, in our communities, and across this globe, we have a responsibility to stand up against injustice and discrimination." - James Clancy, national president, National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE).

Lowering corporate taxes provides just 20 cents of growth for every dollar of tax cut. That compares to $1.40 per dollar growth from income support for unemployed and low-income Canadians and $1.50 per dollar growth from infrastructure investment.

The goals are simple: Get people to say “yes” to increased government support for mental health care services and “no” to additional corporate tax cuts. And build a tax fairness movement the federal government cannot ignore.

"We need to truly be "All Together Now" and stand united in opposition to government decisions which are not in the best interests of Canadians!" - Cathy MacKinnon, PEIUPSE/NUPGE member.

Our nation and our economy were built on the skills and knowledge gained through a public system based on accessibility, affordability, quality and accountability and funded through the Canada Social Transfer (CST)

How bad is income inequality in Canada? Really bad. And it is getting worse. A Fairness Test would ensure that the poorest Canadians are not hit the hardest by deficit reduction policies.

“Canadians are saying enough of the corporate tax cuts and demanding that money be put into meeting the needs of people.” - James Clancy, national president, National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE)

UPDATED Sun. Mar. 13 - NUPGE national president James Clancy joined other NUPGE representatives (Doug Evetts OPSEU/NUPGE; Jim Paul OPSEU/NUPGE; Vic Wonnacott MGEU/NUPGE; Holly Page BCGEU/NUPGE; and Greg Hamara OPSEU/NUPGE) in Wisconsin to provide support and solidarity to public service workers. They joined with 100,000 other people who marched around the state Capital. Check out these photos.

"In Canada, we’re told that Wisconsin is a lesson for public sector unions. The public can no longer afford to pay for "cushy" salaries and benefits for public sector employees. We have to get with the times. What a complete crock." - NUPGE secretary-treasuer, Larry Brown

Stable funding for Medicare, social programs and post-secondary education should not be sacrificed for today's corporate tax cuts.

“For the past two and a half years the government has been working on a 10-year strategy for mental health,” says Kim McDowell, President of OPSEU Local 152 (RMHC). “While they have been talking about improving the system, the reality on the ground has been one of program closures and layoffs.”

All Together Now! campaign’s Days of Action used both old and new media to get its message out – yes to more resources for mental health services and no to corporate tax cuts.

"Job cuts of the scale proposed by the Premier mean entire programs will have to be axed. There is no fat left to cut. Our members have been doing more with less for years now." - Warren "Smokey" Thomas, OPSEU president

“Once upon a time, Albertans were looking at a $17B-plus Sustainability Fund, which will almost be depleted with this budget, thanks to a government that seemingly values oil and gas companies more than its citizens,” said HSAA President Elisabeth Ballermann.

“It is imperative that there be a full public inquiry into what happened during the G20 in order to get at the truth and ensure it doesn’t happen again. The maintenance of public confidence in law enforcement demands nothing less.”

Highlighting how the growing public demand for increased resources for mental health services runs counter to governments pushing to cut corporate taxes even further.

PEI UPSE President Shelley Ward says “we are encouraging all Islanders to wear yellow on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 in support of mental health awareness on Prince Edward Island. Too many Islanders and Canadians are suffering in silence with mental health issues.

Based on the issues identified over the course of the public hearings, the report offers a comprehensive overview of the major civil liberties violations that took place during the G20 summit and puts forward a series of recommendations aimed at protecting constitutional rights in future public order policing operations.

No to more corporate tax cuts - Yes to more resources for mental health services.

“Canadians want and need jobs and social and economic security, but that is most effectively achieved by making investments in restoring public health care services and expanding our public health care to include services such as home care, universal pharmacare, dental care, etc." - Jef Keighley, winner of the ATN "Send Harper a Message" contest.

Events taking place across Canada placing the demand for increased investment in mental health care services against government planned corporate tax cuts.

Wisconsin Governor’s attack shouldn’t be a surprise to any of us. Indeed, the question has only been when and which jurisdiction in North America would be first to take such heavy handed action.

Over 2000 jobs cut to pay for $2.5 billion election slush fund.

Communities across Ontario and across Canada are joining in the fight for tax fairness and to promote quality public services.

This government must stop lecturing Canadians about what more they can do and focus on making serious changes to ease the burden on families and communities - James Clancy, NUPGE national president.

“We are not afraid of asking our governments, which we choose and can control, to provide for us services which no one else can.” - Eugene Forsey

There's very little evidence these tax cuts will lead to more jobs. In fact, they come with no strings attached so companies that eliminate jobs are actually rewarded - James Clancy, NUPGE national president.

The contest is open to everyone. It’s easy to do. You could win $100. And you get to have your say on an important issue!

NAPE says federal revenue losses may reduce transfer payments and impact provincial public services such as health and education.

'Rarely in my memory has a government come forward with a policy as blatantly unfair.' - Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

"Conservatives are like fiscal anorexics. They just can't stop obsessing over portion reduction." John Moore, Special to the National Post.

'I didn’t even know most of the professions existed. But these people – amazing people – gave me my life back.'

'Our collective challenge today is to develop a sense of co-operation amid very significant challenges.'

'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.

Tim Hudak is misleading voters by pretending that an attack on public sector jobs and wages will deal with a financial mess that the financial sector has caused, says James Clancy, NUPGE's national president.

'The Conservatives should not walk and talk like previous governments faced with the same economic challenges. They cannot simply turn to old solutions and stay away from seeking a new path.'

The Gilded Age of the 1920s is back for the super-rich while the middle class treads water or struggles to keep from sliding backward.