Latest news with #HughGillis
CBC
03-07-2025
- CBC
CBRM refusing to release staff survey results, but police union says low morale is no secret
Cape Breton Regional Municipality is refusing to release the results of a wellness survey of its first responders, but the union representing police says it's no secret that officer morale is in the tank. CBRM says it is keeping the survey of police, firefighters, dispatch operators, jailers and records staff confidential, because it does not want the data to be misinterpreted. Hugh Gillis, vice-president of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union that represents Cape Breton Regional Police, said the results should be pretty clear. "We really need some action on these issues here in Cape Breton, because the morale is just as low as it's ever been," he said. Gillis said the police force needs better equipment and more officers to spread out the workload. "It's about their health and safety, and the inability to recruit new officers has left staff feeling overworked and exhausted," he said. "The problem is that each year the budget for the police had run surpluses and they returned that money back to CBRM. Meanwhile, equipment and staffing issues go unaddressed and it's totally unacceptable." The survey was recently presented to the police commission behind closed doors. Gillis said the fact it's being talked about is a good sign. "Now that these results have been formally reported to council, NSGEU hopes that the council actually opens their eyes and begins to start taking immediate action on these issues," he said. After a June police commission meeting, Chief Robert Walsh declined to comment. "I have to direct you to CBRM [human resources] on that matter. I can't discuss it publicly. It was an in-camera session." In an email later, CBRM spokesperson Jenna MacQueen refused to release the results of the survey, even with anonymous data that would not identify individuals, saying it includes sensitive information. She said the survey was an internal tool and the results have been shared with council, the police commission, management and union representatives "to ensure the right conversations are happening and actions are taken." CBRM to 'make meaningful changes' "Our goal is to create a safe space for staff to provide honest feedback so we can make meaningful changes that address their challenges," MacQueen said. "Publicly releasing this information could undermine that trust and deter future participation." The Cape Breton police force has struggled with absenteeism, but it has also taken steps to try to recruit more officers, including offering a cash signing bonus. increase officer safety.
CBC
27-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Contract talks with N.S. public service break down over job protection
Officials with the union representing most civil servants in Nova Scotia say they're prepared to take their chances with an arbitration panel as long as the provincial government is targeting job protection. The contract for about 8,400 workers represented by the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union expired on March 31, 2024, and the two sides had been working with a mediator in recent months to try to reach a new collective agreement. NSGEU first vice-president Hugh Gillis said in an interview Friday that it seemed like they were making progress until earlier this week when "those talks kind of went sideways" and government representatives indicated they wanted the job protection clause on the table. Gillis described job security as "a red line" for the union. "Obviously, government would like to get rid of that so it would be easier to lay off employees and we're having nothing to do with that," he said. "We're not giving up our job security." Union wants wage increases to follow pattern The union's job protection provisions state that when someone's position becomes redundant, is relocated or would otherwise receive a layoff notice, they cannot be laid off. Instead, a worker could exercise bumping rights, accept a voluntary layoff but be entitled to recall, or voluntarily resign with severance. The other issue relates to pay. Although he would not say what the government is offering, Gillis said the union believes a new deal should begin with a 5.5 per cent wage increase in the first year, in keeping with the terms of other recent collective agreements. "We're a wage pattern province and we believe that we can make the case that it's 5.5 [per cent]." If talks do not resume, the two sides are destined to meet at an arbitration panel hearing Oct. 20-21. Representatives for the government and union would argue their respective positions, with the panel's decision being binding. A spokesperson for the province declined to comment on matters involved in bargaining. Severance terms announced for non-unionized workers Meanwhile, the province announced Friday the new severance terms that will apply to non-unionized civil servants if they are laid off without cause. The Progressive Conservative government passed amendments to the Civil Service Act during the winter session at Province House giving itself the power to fire non-unionized workers without cause. About a quarter of the public service is not represented by a union. The updated regulations will provide four weeks of pay per year of service, capped at 72 weeks. The previous cap was 52 weeks. Employees would receive eight weeks' notice ahead of a layoff. In March, Public Service Commission Minister Twila Grosse said the amendments were required to give the government greater flexibility to deal with changing needs in the public service. At the time, Grosse said there were no plans for a broader reorganization or layoffs within the public service. A spokesperson for the province said Friday that "staffing decisions remain with individual departments, who must manage within their operational needs and budgets."
CTV News
24-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Union representing NSLC employees speaks out against potential privatization of liquor sales
An NSLC store on Kearney Lake Road in Halifax is pictured on May 29, 2025. (Jesse Thomas/CTV Atlantic) The union representing the workers of the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation is calling on the provincial government to stop any plans they have to privatize alcohol sales in the province. On Tuesday, the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU) said the potential privatization of alcohol could have a significant impact on the province's revenue. 'The NSLC contributes 100 per cent of their profits, over $280 million annually, to the province which is used to fund many important public services like health care, education and new infrastructure,' said NSGEU first vice president, Hugh Gillis, in the news release. 'In these uncertain financial times why would the government look at doing something that would decrease revenue and put public services at risk?' The union argues the privatization of alcohol sales would also put many jobs at risk, especially in rural communities, as NSLC employs thousands of people. 'Most people live only a few kilometers away from an NSLC or agency store. There is no urgent need to make alcohol more available through privatization. Losing provincial revenue, losing good paying jobs, and normalizing the use of alcohol through privatization is not worth the risk,' said Gillis. Last month, the province announced it would be conducting a public opinion survey with around 1,500 Nova Scotians over the age of 19, as well as a consultation process that would look at 'the types of stores where alcohol can be sold.' 'Nova Scotia is taking steps to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers, and that makes this a good time to look at how alcohol is sold and consumed,' said Finance and Treasury Board Minister, John Lohr, in that announcement. Alcohol is currently sold at more than 300 retail locations across Nova Scotia including NSLC stores, private wine and specialty stores, stores at breweries and wineries and farmers markets. The survey will be conducted by the province until June 30. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
