The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU) has expressed strong discontent towards the provincial government, criticizing its lack of support for public sector workers, particularly those in food services at the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) campuses.
Sandra Mullen, the President of the NSGEU, has called on Premier Tim Houston to instruct the NSCC to cease its practice of contracting out jobs. Mullen emphasized the detrimental impact of these decisions on the union's members, stating, “This is a blow to our members, many who have dedicated years of service to the NSCC and its students.” She highlighted that the elimination of these public-sector positions not only displaces workers but also replaces them with jobs that lack essential benefits such as pensions, substantially reduced benefits, and unfavorable sick time and vacation policies.
Mullen further argued that the premier needs to recognize the risks associated with pushing individuals out of their jobs, pointing out that it threatens their livelihoods and adversely affects families who depend on these jobs for their income. “He needs to protect these public sector jobs, as there are families that rely on them to provide for their families,” she declared.
The controversy intensified following the NSCC's decision to contract its food services to Aramark, a private American company. This decision resulted in the loss of jobs for 27 employees, a move the union vehemently opposes. The NSGEU is vocal about the loyalty and long-term commitment of its members to the college and its student body, suggesting that the decision to replace public-sector jobs with private ones is misguided and harmful to the local community.
Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding the transparency of the contracting process. The NSGEU questioned how an American corporation like Aramark was able to secure an NSCC-wide contract without a new, open bidding process that would allow for competition among all interested companies. The union finds it perplexing that such significant contracts are awarded without a transparent selection process, raising issues of accountability and fairness in government contracting.
As the situation unfolds, the NSGEU continues to advocate for job security for its members and underscores the importance of maintaining public-sector employment. The union's leadership is pushing for a more equitable approach to contracting practices, demanding that the premier take action to safeguard the rights and jobs of public sector workers within the province.
