A Message from NSGEU President Sandra Mullen

As usual, the summer months have flown by. It was a very busy period of time for the union, as we were deep into negotiating a new collective agreement and essential services staffing plan for the Health Care Council of Unions, preparing for civil service bargaining to get underway in earnest in mid-September, and headed to conciliation at many other tables, including for 14 home care locals.

Aside from our bargaining efforts, this was also a season of solidarity, as I joined a number of picket lines to show our support of striking workers and to advocate for issues that are of great importance to our members. In mid-July, we stood with NUPGE leaders outside of the Premiers’ conference to protest health care privatization and to advocate for a national pharmacare plan. In August, I joined NSGEU Board members on the picket line for the Teamsters before the Federal government interfered and legislated binding arbitration, forcing the Teamsters back to work. Then, in early September, 1st Vice President Hugh Gillis and I visited striking library workers with NSUPE as they stood up for better wages and working conditions.

On top of all of this, we also co-hosted a special Labour Day Wanderers match, attended Pride events held throughout the province, and held yet another successful NSGEU Family Picnic at Oakfield Provincial Park.

During our “down time,” I’ve been making my way around the province, visiting with members in their workplaces, which is one of my favourite parts of this job: I love meeting with members and learning more about the important work they do. I started in Cape Breton in June, visiting members working in public education, municipal government and health care sectors. In July, I visited with members working in housing and health care in the valley. And in August, I had a chance to visit with members who work in provincial parks, including Graves Island and Rissers Beach Provincial Park, as well as folks working in our NSLC stores on the south shore. During all of these stops, I was able to speak with members about the challenges they’re facing in their workplaces, and how we can make improvements together. I look forward to continuing my tour over the fall and winter months!

There are no signs of things slowing down this fall, either. We have a very busy few months ahead of us, and I am optimistic that we will continue to make good progress in improving working conditions and wages for all members. With so much work ahead, I’d like to encourage all members to get involved in the union: whether it be by taking a leadership role on your Local executive, participating in some union training, or simply showing up at your next Local meeting. The NSGEU is your union!

In solidarity,

Sandra Mullen