GREENWOOD, NS - It was a rally aimed at raising awareness of jobs being contracted out at 14 Wing Greenwood.
Members of the Union of National Defence Employees (UNDE), a component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), distributed campaign material to Greenwood residents the morning of Sept. 7.
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Seven term-contract, unionized cleaners at 14 Wing were recently given notice that their jobs would be terminated before their term positions could have rolled into full-time jobs. Shirley Peck, a cleaner at the base for nine years, will lose her job on Sept. 28.
“I can’t believe they will actually replace me with someone who will do the exact same job, for a lower pay,” she said. “What am I supposed to do now?”
UNDE national president June Winger said these jobs should be good jobs in the public service, with workers who provide quality service and continuity to base members.
“Contracting out cleaning services at base Greenwood isn’t going to save money but it will lower the bar for the services we provide to Canada’s military and turn good, middle-class jobs into precarious work. Is this shell game really necessary?” Winger said.
The unions have launched a campaign to put a halt to the privatization of public service jobs in Greenwood. Initiatives include a letter-writing campaign and campaign material was delivered to more than 7,200 units in the Greenwood area. Radio ads have also been airing on local stations.
The unions plan to put more pressure on local Members of Parliament and top Department of National Defence officials in an effort to protect the jobs.
