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Capital funding without commitments to improving working conditions leaves workers cold, Nova Scotians vulnerable: CUPE NS President Linkletter

HALIFAX, NS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yesterday’s provincial budget revealed the disconnect between the Houston PCs and average Nova Scotians, says CUPE Nova Scotia President Alan Linkletter.

“While it’s true that additional infrastructure is necessary in many cases, new facilities won’t do anything to help Nova Scotians if there’s no one willing to work in them.”

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“CUPE members from continuing care assistants to school custodians provide critical services to Nova Scotians, but they are facing unsustainable working conditions,” Linkletter said Tuesday.

“The Houston PC government should be investing in the front-line care and services that Nova Scotians rely on every day.”

While investing $873.8 million toward the plan to build 5,700 new and replacement long-term care spaces by 2032, with seven new facilities scheduled to open this year, this budget does nothing to address the staffing crisis in the same sector.

The province is taking the same approach in other sectors, where most new spending is earmarked for capital or systems changes, rather than operating costs.

“While it’s true that additional infrastructure is necessary in many cases, new facilities won’t do anything to help Nova Scotians if there’s no one willing to work in them.”

CUPE represents more than 22,000 workers across Nova Scotia, including staff in long-term care facilities, health care centres and hospitals, public schools, universities, child care centres, highway maintenance depots, municipalities, residences for adults with disabilities, transition houses, and home care agencies.

:so/cope491

Contacts

Media contact:
Mary-Dan Johnston
mjohnston@cupe.ca

Industry:

Canadian Union of Public Employees

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English

Contacts

Media contact:
Mary-Dan Johnston
mjohnston@cupe.ca

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