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NUPGE C4P activists meet in Ottawa

“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.”

Ottawa (15 April 2012) – Over forty Champions for Pensions (C4P) activists from Components of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) are meeting in Ottawa today and tomorrow to launch the newest initiative of NUPGE’s All Together Now! (ATN) campaign to defend public services and fight for tax fairness in Canada.

The objective of the session is to ensure that each C4P activist is well informed, confident and enthusiastic about engaging in one-to-one or group conversations as well as delivering presentations to union bodies. The key message the C4P activists will be promoting is that pensions provide workers with decent retirement income after decades of hard work and also serve as a powerful source of capital that drives our economy.

“I can’t think of a more important time to engage our members on this issue,” noted James Clancy, NUPGE National President.

“Over the past couple of years, we have witnessed an aggressive assault on pension plans, especially those in the public sector. The attack is being led by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) and like-minded think tanks such as the Fraser Institute and C.D. Howe Institute. They are actively engaged in a relentless campaign of misinformation about “tax-payer subsidized, gold-plated” public sector pension plans.

It’s time to go on the offensive

“It’s critical that we effectively respond to this attack and demolish the tired, old arguments that Canada can’t afford decent pensions for all. This is not just about defending our members’ pensions. It’s about defending the right of all workers in Canada to a decent pension. It’s about fighting for adequate and practical solutions to Canada’s growing retirement security crisis.”

NUPGE is counting on its C4P activists from across the country to help change the nature of the debate on pensions. The activists are being asked to engage in conversations with co-workers, fellow union activists, friends and neighbours about the importance of workplace pensions.

“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.”

More information:

All Together Now! campaign

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE