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OTTAWA, ON – Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) National President Paul Moist will join local union members and community groups at an information picket and the impact of Bill 115 on workers’ rights outside the Liberal leadership debate in Ottawa tomorrow.
The event is being organized by CUPE Ontario in coalition with education workers and community groups who are concerned about the attack on democratic rights contained in Bill 115 and other proposed legislation.
“Collective bargaining is one of the cornerstones of the labour movement,” says Moist. “It is a right earned after generations of struggle, a right that brings a level playing field for workers when they bargain with employers. We want a commitment from Liberal candidates that they will work to repeal Bill 115, and abandon any plans for any legislation that threatens our democratic right to free collective bargaining.”
With Bill 115, the government stripped bargaining rights from 55,000 CUPE school board workers. Then the same Liberal government proposed another bill to take those rights away from nearly half a million more workers in the broader public service.
CUPE members plan to be a presence at candidate debates around the province to draw attention to what is seen as an unprecedented attack on democratic collective bargaining rights that have been in place for decades.
WHO: Paul Moist, CUPE National President, and speakers including –
Allison McSheffrey, CUPE Local 2357 President
Harvey Bischof, Provincial OSSTF Vice-President
Sean McKenney, Ottawa & District Labour Council President
WHAT: Information Picket at the Liberal Leadership Debate
WHEN: Tuesday, December 18 at 6 p.m.
WHERE: River Theatre, Carleton University
125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Tria Donaldson, CUPE Communications : 613-915-0763
Marjorie Savoie, CUPE Communications: 613-864-9924
