A representative of the Union of National Defence Employees served the “affected” notice on MacKay as the minister was finishing an announcement about new infrastructure at CFB Esquimalt in Victoria.
Union officials said they decided to serve the notice after MacKay announced new infrastructure last month at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa and then, shortly after he left, managers informed 88 workers at the base that their jobs were in jeopardy.
“We thought we’d give him a taste of his own medicine,” said John MacLennan, president of the Union of National Defence Employees. “We want him to see how it feels to get an affected letter.”
Ian Wiggs, a local president for the union, handed MacKay the letter, saying it was being delivered on behalf of all “affected workers.”
The minister accepted the envelope and quickly walked away.
“You have been identified as an affected employee and your services as a Member of Parliament may no longer be required due to your reckless cuts to public services,” the letter, released by the union, stated.
MacLennan said the union intends to turn the heat up on MacKay. More than 1,500 DND workers have been given notices that their jobs are in jeopardy or are being eliminated and the union expects more notices to follow.
It has been trying without success to get information about why certain jobs were cut and what other positions will be eliminated.
Asked to comment about the letter, MacKay’s office released a statement: “As part of his time at CFB Esquimalt today, Minister MacKay announced infrastructure investments that both support the men and women of the base, and spur the local economy. The letter was received and will be responded to in due course.”
The letters are part of the Public Service Alliance of Canada’s latest national “We Are All affected” campaign against the spending cuts that will wipe out 19,200 jobs. They are a play on the nearly 24,000 affected letters the government has sent to public servants warning them the work they do could be affected by the cuts and they could lose their jobs.
PSAC members gave Human Resources Minister Diane Finley an affected letter when she stopped in Charlottetown last month.
The campaign is aimed at getting communities and Canadians involved in the fight against the cuts by driving home the message that cuts in food inspection, search and rescue operations, parks, or environmental protection affects Canada and the economy, not just the public servants losing their jobs.
Earlier this year 1,100 DND employees were informed that they are either losing their jobs or their jobs are in jeopardy. Those already informed about the layoffs include food services and kitchen staff, radiation safety personnel, weapons technicians, ammunition technicians, defence scientists and heavy truck mechanics.
Last month DND informed UNDE about a second wave of cuts; 493 jobs in Valcartier, St-Jean and Montreal, Que., Toronto and Petawawa were added to the list.
The cuts at Petawawa include carpenters, electricians, secretaries, base safety officers, clerks, procurement specialists and general labourers.
Original Article
Source: ottawa citizen
Author: David Pugliese
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