Minister Says There Are Errors in CUPE Release

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Minister Says There Are Errors in CUPE Release

Transportation and Public Works Minister Ron Russell said today a CUPE Local 1867 news release on Feb. 6 contained several errors.

"I'm concerned that the local union president would claim that the province is downloading snow-plowing services onto municipalities. That is wrong," said the minister. "This year we've increased our budget for winter maintenance to $36 million. This is clearly a provincial responsibility and we're living up to it. Our responsibility is to provide quality service to the travelling public and we take it seriously."

Mr. Russell said the union release ignores the fact that Nova Scotians receive dependable service based on a fair and consistent set of standards.

"The fact is, when a storm occurs, all of our equipment hits the road. Our operators do the best they can in weather conditions that are often very difficult. Some of the comments I've heard are offensive to the dedicated men and women who work to clear our streets and roads from Yarmouth to Cape North," he said.

The minister said he disputes another union claim that contracting out is happening at an alarming rate.

"About eight per cent of our snow removal work is now handled by the private sector. Our goal is to provide the best-quality service at the best-possible price for taxpayers. That's why we are absolutely committed to competitive tendering when it makes sense to do so."

The Department of Transportation and Public Works has reassured CUPE that no long-term employees will lose their jobs due to the contracting-out policy. Tenders are only called in regions where retirements or attrition make it feasible.

Mr. Russell said the union also understated the number of members working for the department. Payroll records show 1,650, not 1,400 as stated in the release.