UNDE News Release
February 15, 2013
Civilian workers of Cold Lake, Alberta rally - Don't contract out my job!
COLD LAKE, AB, Feb. 15, 2013 /CNW/ - The Union of National Defence Employees (UNDE), which represents approximately 20,000 public sector workers at Department of National Defence establishments across Canada, will hold a rally on Sunday, February 17th at 1230pm. This demonstration is an opportunity for the public to learn about the significant cuts to the civilian workers in Cold Lake and the impact to the local economy and community.
When: February 17, 2013, Sunday @ 12:30pm
Where: Lakeland Inn (Cold Lake, AB)
SOURCE: Union of National Defence Employees (UNDE)
For further information:
Rally info:
MJ Sooley
780-826-0926
Media inquiries:
June Winger, UNDE VP AB/NORTH
403-594-1504
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Nov. 26, 2012
Conservative Cuts Will Devastate Local Communities
BORDEN, ON, Nov. 27, 2012 /CNW/ - Budget cuts at the Department of National Defence are leading to sweeping job losses on military bases across the country.
At the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden, the contracted-out cleaning services provided by Koprash Inc. will be eliminated by the end of the year. The loss of the contract will mean 120 cleaners will lose their jobs, effective December 31st, 2012. This represents 60% of the cleaning staff on the Base.
On average these workers earn $12 per hour; yet, their combined salaries represent a monthly loss to the local economy of over $200,000.
"This news is devastating. Yet, these workers and their families aren't the only ones affected," states Sharon DeSousa, PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President for Ontario. "There are hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses that will be affected by the loss of spending power through these layoffs."
The Union of National Defence Employees (UNDE), a component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), sees the loss of these jobs on the Base as a troubling trend for the region.
"The main economic driver of this entire area is the Base. These job losses represent how government cuts not only impact the public sector, but the private sector as well," says John MacLennan, UNDE National President. "Job losses at the Base mean less spending in the community and ultimately businesses will suffer."
Community members and the media are invited to attend a press conference to discuss these impacts.
| When: | Wednesday, November 28th, 2012 at 11:00 am |
| Where: | Angus & Area Chamber of Commerce (71 King Street, Angus, ON) |
| Speakers: | John MacLennan, UNDE National President Sharon DeSousa, PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President |
SOURCE: Public Service Alliance of Canada - Ontario
For further information:Lino Vieira, PSAC Communications Officer, Cell - 416-577-0238
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April 4, 2012 - Press Release (PDF)
Ottawa - The Union of National Defence Employees (UNDE) will be making every effort to fight back against cuts to jobs and services announced in the recent federal budget.
“These cuts affect workers across the board from electricians to vehicle technicians, and safety inspectors,” said UNDE National President John MacLennan. “Canadians have a right to know the whole story about these cuts and their impact on support to the Canadian Forces,” he added.
During the last round of comparable cuts to the public service in the 1990s, skills and institutional memory was lost and support to the Canadian Forces severely affected. The cuts announced in the budget affect public service employees in a wide range of occupations at bases across Canada. This includes labourers, plumbers, electricians, comptrollers, communications specialists, safety and fire inspectors, vehicle technicians and food service workers. The positions are not back office public service jobs but are core jobs to support the military in front offices.
“UNDE is asking Locals to mobilize now to challenge any cuts to core services, “ said MacLennan. “I have yet to see the required business case as per the Department of National Defence Work Force Adjustment Procedures to show that these job reductions will lead to savings for the Canadian tax payer. Some of these jobs are the lowest paid in the entire Federal government”.
The Union of National Defence Employees (UNDE) represents approximately 20, 000 public and private sector workers at DND establishments and facilities across Canada. UNDE is one of the largest components of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).
For information and interviews:
-John MacLennan, National President, UNDE, 1-866-594-4505 Ext.15
-Philippe Turcq, Vice-President (Quebec), UNDE, 514-247-3094