Cupe PEI - News

* Canada's Retirement Income System New
* PEI Cabinet Meeting Photos New
* Cupe Members Say: Need Pension Reform
* Islanders first before the profitability of the private sector

News

June 28, 2010	Brother Sebastien Bezeau (Canadian Labour Congress) re. Minister Meetings at Crowbush
Please read Brother Sebastien Bezeau, from the CLC, letter to President Milo Murray.

June 23, 2010	PEI leadership on child care an example for others, says CUPE
OTTAWA – The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) says the government of Prince Edward Island is to be congratulated for showing leadership with its new Preschool Excellence Initiative. “Premier Ghiz and his government have embraced the need to guarantee a quality system of Early Childhood Learning and Care (ECEC), that is accessible and sustainable—something we’ve long advocated for. The initiative means that public funding for for-profit centres will end,” said CUPE National President Paul Moist. “PEI is taking leadership and setting an example for other provinces and the federal government.” The initiative is to provide quality care to all of the island’s children aged four and under. Quality care will come from a system that ensures access, a standard play-based curriculum, qualified early childhood education workers that have decent pay and benefits, and parent involvement. PEI will open 20 early learning centres for September 2010 and 20 more in 2011. “This initiative is important for children’s development, for families, and for the future of our communities,” said Shawna Quinn, who represents PEI on CUPE’s national child care working group. “It’ll be a boost for workers in the sector and help the economy, too.” PEI is the first province to implement an ECEC system for preschool children. The new system begins September 2010. The Canadian Union of Public Employees, Canada’s largest union, has long advocated for universal, high quality early learning and child care programs, and against for-profit care. To find out more about CUPE ‘s position on early learning and care go to www.cupe.ca/childcare For more information: Stacy Delany, President CUPE 3260, 902-315-4366 CUPE Media Relations, 613-852-1494

June 16, 2010	Minister Sheridan: PEI residents deserve to retire with dignity
Please voice your opinion.

June 6, 2010	Canada’s Retirement Income System: Issues and Options
A letter to the Honorable Wes Sheriden concerning Canada's Retirement Income System.

May 28, 2010	Canadian Pension System Plan of Action
Greetings Sisters and Brothers On June 13th, 14th, 15th the Finance Ministers are meeting with Flaherty in Crowbush over our Canadian Pension System. The CLC, PEIFL are developing a Plan of Action for this historical event. On the 13th of June, members are needed to be greeters at the Charlottetown airport as the Ministers arrive. Further, members are required for a sign crew, to place signs up along the route to Crowbush. Also needed are members to identify location along the route to place signs. We are seeking members to tell their story about flaws in their Pension Plan. If interested in participating in any of the above mentioned,please submitt an email to the PEIFL at peifed@pei.aibn.com CUPE PEI Division Executive has approved for two buses to travel to Crowbush, one leaving Summerside and the other leaving Charlottetown on the 14th of June, for a Rally/ Pension Pinic. ( times and locations to announced ) I strongly encourage you to mobilize your membership to attend this Historial and Important Event. When you have finalized the number of members from your local that will be attending the Rally/Pension Pinic, please contact your representive that sits on the CUPE PEI Executive Division with this information by June 9th. CUPE and Canadians across our Country need your support in this event. See you there. In Solidarity Milo Murray Provincial President CUPE PEI

May 19, 2010	New CUPE PEI Executive sworn in at the May 2010 Annual Convention


May 18, 2010	Supporting Businesses of our CUPE PEI Discount Card
Please click to read a list of supporting businesses of our discount card.

April 7, 2010	Public Town Hall Discussions on Pension Solutions - A Letter
Millions of Canadians are facing an uncertain future in retirement. Millions of Canadians are worried about their pensions. More of their issues, concerns and voices need to be heard. The members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees here on PEI are pleased that Government will be holding cross-country consultations on Canada’s retirement income system. This initiative is a welcome first step toward much needed National Pension Reform. However, as details have emerged about the scope of the consultations, we are concerned that there will only be limited opportunities for Canadians to be a part of the consultation process. The members of CUPE PEI are pleased that Charlottetown has been selected as one of the consultation sites, yet we feel that only three public events in Charlottetown, Quebec City and Richmond, BC will not engage or represent a sufficient number of citizens concerned about retirement issues. The members of CUPE PEI urge Minister Flaherty to hold additional public meetings across Canada to consult with Canadians to find solutions for fixing Canada’s retirement income system. Milo Murray President Canadian Union of Public Employees Prince Edward Island

April 5, 2010	Islanders first before the profitability of the private sector
Islanders first before the profitability of the private sector. There is no debating the fact that the residents of Charlotte Court, the oldest seniors complex in PEI, need and are entitled to affordable and decent living arrangements. Recent articles in both Island newspapers state The Provincial Government of Prince Edward Island is considering a Public Private Partnership model to construct a new 48 unit seniors complex. Discussion of privatization and P3’s is not new to Islanders. P3’s are a form of privatization that moves control of public assets and services to the private sector. There are many P3 models such as the common design/build approach, where a public organization hires a contractor to design and build a facility, and the build/own/operate model, which is a full-scale privatization of a facility. We know from vast experience in this Province, in this Country and around the World, that Public Private Partnerships are not good investments and cost more for taxpayers and reduce services. Study after study and experience after experience have shown that Public-Private Partnerships cost the public more, make public institutions less able to manage public initiatives themselves and reduce flexibility, transparency and accountability of governments. The terms of P3 contracts and negotiations are typically kept secret in line with standards for private sector commercial confidentiality with a profit margin of 15 to 25 % and often higher. Public policies and procedures that require public consultation and transparency are seen as obstacles to P3’s. Provincial projects are most effectively and efficiently done when they are funded from public funds, owned and operated by the Province. It is the Provincial government’s responsibility to provide Islanders with the public facilities and services that most effectively and efficiently service the citizens of PEI. On behalf of the 2400 Canadian Union of Public Employees members on Prince Edward Island, we urge the Liberal Government of Prince Edward Island to build this complex the traditional method but if the Government enters into a P3 contract, have full disclosure of the true costs and details of the Public Private Partnership and that these disclosures be analyzed and fully publicized before an agreement can be entered into by the Province. Milo Murray Provincial President Canadian Union of Public Employees PEI

March 24, 2010	CUPE Local 3324 Will Meet Minister Bertram to Discuss Speed Cap Policy
Please read CUPE Press Release.

March 11, 2010	CUPE PEI President Calls for ONE Minimum Wage “At a Higher Rate”
The lowest paid workers in Prince Edward Island need a minimum wage that is higher and not a discriminatory two-tier wage that would “push them deeper into poverty,” said Milo Murray, President of CUPE PEI which represents some 2,400 public sector employees on the Island. (more...)

March 8, 2010	Island EMS Still Refuses to Change their Speed Cap Policy
"After asking for time to 'reconsider' their arbitrary speed cap policy, Island EMS Inc. notified the Union last Friday (March 5th) that they are not changing anything,” says Bill McKinnon, CUPE National Representative. (more...)

Feb 22, 2010	Island EMS Inc. Putting Islanders at Risk
Island EMS Inc. has recently implemented a new Speed Policy which dangerously restricts their paramedic employees (members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3324 – in their ability to respond quickly and safely to medical emergencies for Islanders,” says Bill McKinnon, CUPE National Representative. (more...)