Early Childhood Education

Elephanttalk.ca is intended to start the conversation for Manitobans to share their concerns and their stories about public services in Manitoba.

 “The inconsistency in what government is saying and what government is doing is unbelievable. There is clearly a credibility issue here.” - Carol Furlong, NAPE President.

“If this government truly believes in fairness, as it claims, then the province’s corporations have to be involved." - Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President.

"We must ensure every worker has the freedom to join a union to protect their interests. Only then will workplace tragedies be prevented," said Clancy. James Clancy, NUPGE President.

“Privatization does not work, no matter what you call it. The public pays more for lower quality services. Just think Ornge, gas plants, e-Health, Highway 407 – and now, chemo drugs.”

“Government must be accountable for both the quality of services delivered to Saskatchewan families, and the cost of providing those services." – Bob Bymoen, SGEU President.

“There is no reason that Saskatchewan labour law needs to be so radically different than the Canadian legislative norm in the treatment of supervisory employees,” says Clancy.

Bargaining committee recommends acceptance of tentative agreement.

In order to provide parents with sufficient time to arrange alternate care for their children, workers will begin job action on March 1.

Public services will be cut and assets sold off, hurting families and communities across the province.

Ready, set, record!

Missed what happened in Sudbury on January 8 during the All Together Now! campaign's townhall meeting? Watch the online videos to find out.

This leadership convention marks a potential sea change for Ontario, where priorities can be shifted to promoting quality public services, taking action on tax fairness and investing in communities with a real job strategy.

Along with Public Private Partnerships (P3s), Social Impact Bonds are a bit like money laundering because they allow politicians to hide debt.

Chief Spence’s action has helped to galvanize a movement called Idle No More, which arose as a result of the federal government’s recent omnibus Bill C-45.

Richard Wilkinson, one of the world’s most preeminent researchers on social inequalities, and author of the Spirit Level: Why Equality is Better for Everyone will kick of the CFLR conference as the keynote speaker.

We will be doing a disservice to our collective goal of achieving greater equality if all Canadians don't mount a spirited and vigorous offence in support of labour rights and unions.

“Quality childcare services help UBC recruit and retain outstanding faculty and staff. This reality must be reflected in the pay scales for its early childhood educators."

SFU Childcare employer refuses to address outstanding issues in bargaining, walks away from table.

"People know that when economic injustice and inequality exist, our families and our communities suffer. Economic well being is a human right that must be protected." - James Clancy, NUPGE National President.

"If the TD bank took it's own findings seriously, it would tell the government to act now by investing in this much needed and long overdue public service. Waiting only hurts Canadian families and our economy more." - James Clancy, NUPGE President.

“Manitobans have every right to ask Premier Selinger: What programs and services is he looking to cut and why would he endanger economic growth in this way?”

“When you take away those dollars in the name of austerity and deficit-busting, a child and their family are negatively impacted.  Is this the sort of legacy our government has chosen to adopt?” - OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

"I can’t understand why there would be no mention of these details when the Minister was face-to-face with the working people directly affected by this legislation,” said Bob Bymoen, SGEU President.

“Bill C-377 has nothing to do with taxation or tax policy, and everything to do with imposing costly burdens on unions and disclosing sensitive information to employers for strategic advantage.”

This legislation gives the government the right to impose contracts, ban strikes and lock outs and circumvent the courts, the Human Rights Code and the province's own collective bargaining legislation.

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is encouraging Canadians to take the opportunity on World Mental Health Day to learn more about mental illness, as well as ways to promote positive mental health.

If approved by the legislature, the Protecting Public Services bill would allow the government to not just freeze the wages it pays to unionized employees — ranging from nurses to home care workers to hydro linemen — but roll them back.

"To make a difference, Canadians need to pressure our government to take on the issue of income inequality head-on." - James Clancy, NUPGE National President.

As a result of the telephone town hall meetings many members were shocked at the possibility of losing control of their retirement savings, while others questioned the legality of the McGuinty plan.

This report is a critical review of the Saskatchewan government's Consultation Paper’s orientation, namely its lack of recognition of the role of labour rights in advancing democracy, equality and economic justice.

More than 2000 OPSEU/NUPGE members across the province are affected by the McGuinty government's undemocratic legislation imposing working conditions, banning strikes and freezing wages.

This Labour Day in 2012, NUPGE celebrates the legacy of those who came before us and we commit to continue the fight for fairness.

"It is not the inexorable march of global economics alone, but rather choices – choices in public budgets, and in economic and social policy – that have failed to rein in the increasing income inequality distributed by the private market and aided in propelling us down this path."

“Many of the changes suggested for consideration by the consultation paper are either directly antagonistic towards unions and workers’ rights and freedoms, or reflect a lack of knowledge about the democratic character of unions as organizations." Paul Champ, human rights lawyer and CFLR board member. Download CFLR report here.

Get your copy of the ATN Campaigner today!

On July 18 Canadians will be sending provincial premiers and the Harper government a message to resume negotiations on the 2014 Health Accord.

“Some of the ideas being floated by the government will undermine unions' ability to represent their members, drive down wages and working conditions and will ultimately negatively impact t

The intolerance that is often at the root of internal displacement and refugee flows is also present in some of the countries that refugees flee to. Instead of finding empathy and understanding, they are often met with mistrust or scorn.

National Union young workers from across Canada are meeting in Ottawa to strategize how to  build a future with economic justice for all.

Stand up for democracy by joining the June 13 protest agains tthe Conservative's budget bill.

Over $210,000 was collected to support the workers who were killed or injured and their families in the Hampstead accident in February 2012.

PEIUPSE/NUPGE campaign highlights the move away from "compassion and cooperation in favour of a society leaning toward privatization and the elimination of people and services that all Islanders depend on.”

Employers have hijacked the process based on a misplaced ideological conviction that the right to strike, guaranteed under numerous laws, domestic constitutions and international instruments, poses a threat to corporate greed.

NAPE/NUPGE members demonstrate against cuts at Eastern Health.

On June 4, NUPGE is joining with faith groups, trade unions, associations, businesses, First Nations, environment groups, human rights groups, pro democracy groups and seniors, across the country, to say: Silence is Not an Option.

In fighting the dramatic tuition fee hikes, the student movement is defending the values of equality and solidarity which underpin this social contract.

Union activists from across New Brunswick gathered for the Spring Training Session.

Robin Hood and his merry activists take to streets across from Parliament Building in support of the Robin Hood Tax. UPDATED

According to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, Kevin Page, Old Age Security is sustainable - despite what the Harper government is telling you.

"Wherever and whenever you need them, NAPE is there. Every day. For your day."

"We presented the government with concrete proposals that would produce hundreds of millions of dollars in new annual revenues and savings,” says Walker.

“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

Courts to decide on whether comparable child and family services for children on First Nations are significantly less funded than for those off-reserves.

“We are ready to get to the bargaining table to negotiate collective agreements that reflect the value of the vital services our members provide to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.&

"We’re prepared for any action we have to take to get our members the improved contracts they’ve earned,” said BCGEU President Darryl Walker.

“This is a positive first public sector agreement reached with the newly elected Dunderdale administration,” said Bert Blundon, NAPE Secretary Treasurer and chief negotiator.

“We look forward to meeting with Premier Wall to discuss issues that affect our members, many of whom are employed by the government of Saskatchewan,” said Bymoen.

Key items identified for 2012 bargaining by BCGEU/NUPGE members.

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.

"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."

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

Help push back B.C.'s antidemocratic legislation. Fight Bill 18!

At least one out of every three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime - with the abuser usually someone known to her.

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

"This 30 year struggle shows that Canada needs to improve its pay equity laws to ensure this injustice never happens again. Women must be treated and compensated fairly in every workplace." - James Clancy, NUPGE President

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

"This is good for all workers in Nova Scotia," says NSGEU President Joan Jessome. "Eighty per cent of Canadians already have labour legislation like this. Our workers deserve the same kind of supports."

Politics, more than the economy and technology, has a greater impact on rates of unionization.

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.

“Mr. O’Leary’s wilful promotion of contempt and hatred towards unions reflects a viewpoint that has often ended in violence perpetrated against union members and leaders around the world.”

It is the role of a democratic government in a civil society to defend all human rights. Human rights cannot flourish where labour rights are not enforced.

“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.

“The government must take action to ensure that the basic rights of its employees are safeguarded, and that no one is penalized for trying to stop workplace harassment,” Sid Wonitowy, a member of SGEU’s Public Service Negotiating Committee, concludes.

Planning gets underway for public service fightback campaign in Ontario.

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.

“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.

"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).

"With three million Canadians living in housing insecurity, the federal government can no longer afford to hide its head in the sand and wish this problem away.”- James Clancy, national president, National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE)

"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

"Trust in public institutions and in the police are essential to a well - adjusted society. Police brutality affects us all: it is a betrayal of the rule of law as people bound to maintain the law abuse it. "- Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) and the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE)

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

On March 8th, as we take time to celebrate the achievements that women have made and their contributions to a better world, we must also renew our resolve to fight for a true and equitable society,” stresses James Clancy, president of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE).

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.

MGEU requesting a return to the bargaining table as soon as possible.

Bringing together nearly 17,000 members who work in developmental services, children’s aid societies, child treatment areas, youth corrections and community agencies.

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.

Warren (Smokey) Thomas will present a brief on behalf of 125,000 OPSEU members across Ontario.

Ranks a dismal 17th in the material well-being of children among OECD countries.

'The employer is being stubborn and blocking a deal.' - OPSEU.

'This plan needs to go farther and set more ambitious targets with clear and transparent measures for accountability and oversight.' - Darryl Walker.

'Polling has told us the public values the public services they receive.' - Joan Jessome.

October 27th will mark the 10th annual Day of Appreciation for Child Care Workers and Early Childhood Educators in Ontario.

BCGEU also negotiates new collective agreement at St. James Daycare Society.

New regulated child care system goes into effect across the province in September.

Union represents more than 1,500 workers in over 100 child care centres across the province.

'The report shows there’s a lot more at stake than lost child care spaces.' - Andrea Calver.

Program will cost $1.5 billion when fully rolled out by 2015, says Premier Dalton McGuinty.

Wage increases plus steps to address bullying in the workplace.

Oct. 21 marks the ninth annual day of appreciation for child care workers and early childhood educators in Ontario.

'Over the long term, every $1 invested in quality child care programs returns $2.54 in benefits to society.' - CCAAC.

'Government needs to step forward with a comprehensive plan to ensure that quality care and education for our young children is here now and in the future.' - Shelley Ward.

'The decrease in provincial budget funding for child care is most likely a result of the Harper Conservative government’s 2006 cancellation of the bilateral agreements.'

Working with health and social development departments to come up with a plan in case centres are forced to close.

Workers at five new child care centres at University of B.C. have voted to join the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union to make their work place better.

'Child care is a critical piece of the puzzle for many Manitobans these days.' - Gord Mackintosh, family services and housing minister.

NDP again asks Parliament to pass legislation that would lay a foundation for a national child care system. 

Canada has one of the lowest child care access rates in the industrialized world and fees are among the highest.

Beware of child care property development/leaseback schemes, proposals to expand for-profit child care and pressure to reduce quality standards.

Conservative government is paying lip service to improving the lives of women even as it refuses to support pay equity, child care and economic measures that support women's equality.  So the Canadian Labour Congress is sending each Member of Parliament a gift of chocolate lips with an accompanying note - 'women are tired of lip service'.

Conservatives' plans in child care leading to shrinking number of child care spaces and they have chosen to ignore the crisis in the recent federal budget.

Survey of child care standards in 25 developed countries

The Superior Court of Quebec has declared unconstitutional two pieces of legislation denying certain home care and child care workers their right to join a union and other labour rights.

The Australian experience should teach the Harper government a lesson

'Time to vote for the party you trust most to deliver a universal, community-based child care system.'

$1.4 billion to create 150,000 child care spaces

BCGEU will continue lobbying for a better system

Oct. 24 marks the seventh annual day of appreciation for child care workers and early childhood educators

Union demands answers from government

'This strike has been about equity.' - Ursula Clark, BCGEU

Shelagh Germyn trekking 260 kilometres from Campbell River to Victoria

Mediation ends as employer continues to demand rollbacks

Fighting to recover from cuts imposed four years ago

'The whole concept of the college is to raise the bar.'

Tories now plan to give the provinces and territories $250 million with no strings attached

Created workable solutions to some difficult issues.

Oct. 25 marks the sixth annual day of appreciation for workers whose job is a special calling

(Feb 20, 2006) -- 'In keeping the child care promise, Stephen Harper can demonstrate leadership and a mastery of statecraft that would serve him very well when he next goes to the polls. Does he have it in him?'