New Brunswick

Speculation about what will be in the March 4 federal budget is rampant in the media. Some reports would lead us to believe that the Harper Conservatives will leave the federal pension plans alone.So far, nothing PSAC has heard from Treasury Board President Stockwell Day would lead us to believe that we won’t have to continue to fight to protect the pension benefits our members in the federal public sector pay for.

The Atlantic Region is mobilizing around retirement security. We are organizing town hall meetings and plant gates, and taking advantage of every opportunity to collect signatures for our petition to Prime Minister Harper. Contact your regional office to arrange for a workplace information session. And visit http://www.psac.com/petition-pension/ to sign our on-line petition and get campaign information.

The PSAC and the Saint John RWC hosted a pancake and chocolate breakfast in order to give information to PSAC members in regards to the federal public sector pensions with a petition for Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

A townhall meeting took place in Moncton on February 9 with PSAC Atlantic REVP, Jeannie Baldwin, and PSAC Quebec REVP, Jerome Turcq, in order to discuss federal public sector pensions.  Two sessions took place with over 80 PSAC members from a variety of departments were in attendance.

Different vigils were held in New Brunswick to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Montreal massacre of 14 young women at the École Polytechnique. New Brunswick MPs are asked to oppose Bill C-391 as statistics show that long-gun homicides in Canada have declined by 50% since the registry was instituted.

Listen to the Nation, no to prorogation! PSAC members from Moncton and Fredericton joined some concerns citizens, various unions, the NBFL and others and braved the cold weather to give a clear message to the Harper government: "Return to work!''  Guest speakers for the Moncton event were Members of Parliament Yvon Godin (NDP) and Brian Murphy (Liberal).

Over the last few weeks, several locals asked us about the PSAC’s position concerning the sale of NB Power.  PSAC Atlantic Region officially supports the campaign against the sale of NB Power, as it is perfectly in line with our Think Public campaign. The New Brunswick Federation of Labour has adopted the same position.

A crowd of approximately 50 people gathered in front of the local conservative Miramichi MP, Tilly O'Neill-Gordon on Sunday evening, December 6, to commemorate the national day of remembrance and action on violence against women and to oppose Bill C-391 which calls for the dismantling of gun registration in Canada.

Over fifty members from the Atlantic Region attended the National Health, Safety & Environment Conference in Montreal on November 20 – 22, 2009.  The conference theme was “Regulate – Agitate – Enforce.”  Delegates participated in workshops on enforcement of legislation, effectiveness of joint committees, and the union’s role in dealing with the environment.  In addition, 18 resolutions were debated.