Workers at the provincial Maintenance Enforcement Program, the people who make sure court-ordered child support payments are not being dodged, are too busy to do a good job, a former employee charges.
A former Community Services employee charges that high caseloads are negatively affecting both service to clients and staff morale. The employee worked in the child welfare division as a caseworker and later as a frontline supervisor. She left her job in frustration after well over a decade with the department.
For days and weeks the Nova Scotia Teachers Union dominated the headlines. But after the government imposed a new contract all that disappeared. What actually happened? Why did it matter? What’s next? We met with Larry Haiven, an expert in Nova Scotia labour relations and co-founder of the Parents for Teachers Facebook group, to ponder these three questions. “This is not your grandfather’s labour movement anymore.”
A quick update on our friends at the striking Chronicle Herald newsroom, now that talks broke down once again earlier this month. Their list of concessions is a long one.
Judy Haiven speaks at the Law Amendments Committee regarding Bill 75. “What does this Liberal government prioritise? Convention centres? Giveaways to the banks, giveaways to the Department of Business and Nova Scotia Business Inc, which dispenses millions in pay roll rebates and other breaks for business?”
Today’s remarks by Larry Haiven at the Law Amendments Committee regarding Bill 75 to remove the right to strike from teachers. “Teachers must have a way of indicating that the conditions under which they work do not overstress them or the quality of education delivery.”
Lana Payne, Atlantic Regional Director of Unifor, offers an exceptionally clear analysis of the teachers’ strike, what is driving Stephen McNeil, and what needs to be done to stop him. “We must be as relentless in our efforts as the Liberals have been in their attacks. And we must be extra vigilant in mobilizing, organizing and building solidarity. We simply have no choice.”
We revisit last year’s cuts to long term care facilities in Nova Scotia. Things are bad, staff tell the Nova Scotia Advocate. The food sucks, homes are understaffed and staff is overworked. Even rec programs are being downsized. Warning, this is a very scary story!
There’s lots you can do if you’re unhappy about premier McNeil’s plans to impose a contract on the teachers. Tony Tracy offers a few concrete suggestions.