NSGEU demands fair treatment for casual public employees

Demonstration at legislature includes one 'causal' worker with 31 years of service

Halifax (23 March 2007) - Joan Jessome, president of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE), is calling on the province to make legislative changes allowing casual workers with continuous service to be recognized as employees and receive fair wages and benefits.

Jessome joined non-unionized casuals from the natural resources department at the Nova Scotia Legislature this week to lobby provincial politicians.

Casual workers staff provincial parks, work as fire crew members and conservation officers and perform other job duties. They are denied wages and benefits on par with other government workers.

“Many of these casuals have worked continuously with the province of Nova Scotia for many years," Jessome said. "They bring extensive knowledge and experience to the department and contribute to their communities. Yet, they are treated as second-class workers.”

Recognition long overdue

Jessome says NSGEU has been lobbying the province for years to amend the Civil Service Collective Bargaining Act to allow casual workers with continuous temporary or seasonal employment to be recognized fully as employees.

All other provinces, except New Brunswick and Newfoundland, recognize such workers as employees.

“One of the workers I spoke to has 31 years of continuous service with the department of natural resources,” says Jessome.

“When she started her job, she made $7.92 (an hour). I was shocked to learn that she is now only bringing home $9.06 an hour. As a casual worker, she also can’t contribute to the government pension plan or receive health benefits. It’s incredibly unfair treatment that has gone on for far too long.”

Jessome applauded casual workers for visiting the legislature and speaking to elected officials about their situation.

“These workers are not unionized - they have no job security or protection,” says Jessome. “I think their presence speaks volumes about their level of frustration and the need for immediate government action.”