MEDIA RELEASE: Union Campaigns Against Public Service Cuts

(Dartmouth) The union representing provincial public service workers in Nova Scotia has launched a campaign calling on the government to reverse its wrong-headed policy on cutting public service positions.

“Tim Houston did not campaign on cutting public services, but that is effectively what he is doing by issuing a mandate to only replace one of every two vacancies in the civil service,” said NSGEU President Sandra Mullen.

“This policy will lead to fewer workers, heavier workloads, and slower services.”

Nova Scotia’s public service has already quietly been shrinking: between May 2022 and May 2025, Nova Scotia’s population has grown by 6.6 per cent, while the public service has grown by just 5 per cent. This “two-for-one” hiring directive will only place additional pressure on an already strained system.

“Behind all of the public services Nova Scotians rely on are a host of unseen workers who are holding things together. You might not see them, but you’ll certainly notice when they’re gone,” said Mullen.

The union is asking government to rescind their hiring directive and work instead to strengthen and expand the public services that Nova Scotians deserve. The advertising spots are airing online, via digital audio, programmatic video and social media, and television.

The NSGEU proudly represents approximately 8,400 civil servants who work in Technical, Professional, and Clerical Service roles and are responsible for delivering all government services throughout Nova Scotia. For a comprehensive list of the programs they help deliver, please visit https://www.novascotia.ca/programs-and-services.

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The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union represents nearly 38,000 workers who provide quality public services Nova Scotians count on every day.

For more information, or to arrange an interview with NSGEU President Sandra Mullen, please contact:

Holly Fraughton, Communications Officer

902-471-1781 (cell)   

hfraughton@nsgeu.ca