Union members and the public are outraged at legislation
HEU members are joining others in their communities, sending the message to Gordon Campbell that they are angry and frustrated with his government for legislating away their negotiated collective agreements, gutting public services and education and preparing the way to privatize health care.
Activities are taking place in: Nelson Terrace Dawson Creek North Vancouver Tofino
Today rallies, public meetings and protests in Nelson, Terrace, Dawson Creek, North Vancouver and Tofino will keep the heat turned up beneath the Liberal government.
Yesterday an information picket line marched around Prince George Regional Hospital for two hours, distributing details about Bill 29, the legislation that has ripped up health workers’ collective agreements and paved the way to dismantling Medicare in B.C.
Also on Wednesday, about 30 HEU members from the New Vista and Canada Way HEU locals in Burnaby rallied in front of MLA Patty Sahota’s office. Passing traffic was supportive of the ralliers in spite of the fact that the street was partially blocked. Unfortunately, Sahota was not in her office to defend her government’s anti-labour legislation nor to answer the concerns of the health care providers who work in her constituency.
“Health care workers are outraged at the government’s attack on the principle of free collective bargaining,” says HEU secretary-business manager Chris Allnutt. “The premier has shown us that the pre-election commitments made by him and other Liberal MLAs to protect health care and respect contracts are worth absolutely nothing.”
Community pressure is growing in every corner of the province as British Columbians realize how the Liberal agenda is going to impact on them and those they care for. They know that massive cuts to health care, widespread job loss and the shrinking of the public service will be devastating to their communities.