Unions Denounce Lack of Service Delivery for Veterans Following Re-Opening of Veterans Affairs Office in Sydney, NS

Unions Denounce Lack of Service Delivery for Veterans Following Re-Opening of Veterans Affairs Office in Sydney, NS

SYDNEY, NS –The Union of Veterans Affairs’ Employees (UVAE) and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) organized a press conference today following the official re-opening of the Veterans Affairs Canada office in Sydney, NS to denounce the remaining challenges obstructing service delivery to veterans.

Staffing issues remains the critical challenge in providing services to veterans.  The department of Veterans Affairs is facing difficulties in hiring staff and retaining them.  Furthermore, it requires eight months to fully train employees in order for them to provide services to veterans.

“UVAE takes its role in both the workplace and the community, very seriously.  We understand that we have a progressive role to play and part of that role includes holding governments to account for their actions.” said Carl Gannon, UVAE’s National President.

PSAC-Atlantic’s Acting Regional Executive Vice-President, Colleen Hodder, reaffirmed the union’s commitment to veterans and public sector workers: “PSAC is 170,000 members strong and this year marks our 50th anniversary.  Governments come and go, but we are a permanent voice on behalf of public sector workers.  When public sector workers don’t have the necessary resources to deliver public services in an effective way, we will speak out on their behalf and ensure that Canadians receive the services they need.”