Wednesday, 24 April 2024

Nova Scotia Federation of Labour

Labour views: We need a system that promotes the value of our public sector workers

Danny Cavanagh on the need for decent pay. “People don’t often think about the cogs in the wheel as long as it is turning. Never much thought to the countless people behind the scenes in hospitals, nursing homes, long term care facilities – those providing home support. Every day they quietly worked along even though by doing so they put themselves in danger of getting Covid-19. We often think about the nurses, doctors and specialists, but not a lot about the cleaners, cooks, food service workers, the people keeping the buildings working, the paperwork flowing and all those behind the scenes keeping the wheels moving.”

Labour views: Nova Scotia Health delivers layoff notices to 91 employees, hires American company to do their work

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Danny Cavanagh: The headline in the NSGEU/CUPE press release reads “Dozens of hospital employees across Nova Scotia lose jobs to American-owned company just before the holidays.” This a move from a government who praises the dedication of our health care workers but is laying off the 91 employees who work in Health Information Services (HIS), scanning and archiving medical records.

Labour views: There is something amiss in Ottawa

NS Federation of Labour president Danny Cavanagh compares the media’s relentless focus on CERB abuses with the relative neglect of similar abuse of the countless COVID support programs in place for businesses. Meanwhile, at least 68 Canadian companies have continued to pay out billions in dividends to their shareholders while receiving government aid.

Danny Cavanagh: Sydney will soon have an airport with no flights

Danny CAvanagh: On Tuesday, the CEO of the J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport said they have received notification Air Canada flights to Toronto and Halifax will be cut effective Jan. 11, 2021, and the local Jazz aviation station will be closed until further notice. This is a devastating blow to Cape Breton residents, workers and businesses.

Danny Cavanagh: Has COVID turned capitalism on its head?

Danny Cavanagh: “Taxpayers need to benefit in the good times if a capitalist society expects to have the government keep them operational in bad times. Taxpayers need to become shareholders, and we need to ensure that dividends to shareholders are limited, and the CEOs have a more realistic pay cheque.”

Danny Cavanagh: How to learn from the pandemic and build a better future

Danny Cavanagh: “In Canada, we have weathered the pandemic by sticking together and supporting each other. Economic recovery cannot mean listening to the same old voices that led us to an economy with a widening income and gender gap, heightening rates of poverty and homelessness, increasing violence and inequality, and poorly underfunded and inadequate public and community services. We need investments in new ways of doing things.”

Danny Cavanagh: Labour Day 2020

Danny Cavanagh: Now is time for a government that’s committed to creating good jobs. A government willing to invest in more public services, services that working families need. A government that will help more people save for retirement so they can live their final years in dignity, not a hardship. Government that understand austerity is a race to the bottom driven by the rich and elite in society.