souellette

PEI Budget: Missed Opportunity to Strengthen Public Services

Charlottetown, PEI –The Lantz government’s 2025-2026 operating budget is cause for concern, as it once again prioritizes short-term private sector gains over long-term public service solutions.
“With a record-breaking $183.9 million deficit, this budget could have marked a turning point in how we invest in people and public infrastructure,” said CUPE PEI President Ashley Clark. “Instead, this deficit is largely tax dollars flowing to private operators and consultants—without clear fixes for the core issues within our public sector.”
In her speech, Finance Minister Jill Burridge framed the deficit as a necessary response to population growth and global trade turmoil.  “There’s no denying we will face a tough year,” said Ashley Clark. “But we need smart, structural public sector investments, so we can be strong enough to weather the storm,” she added. Instead, this government is making the foolish decision to cut provincial revenues (cutting the corporate tax rates from 16% to 15%) while increasing spending in corporate handouts.
Clark acknowledged the increased healthcare spending, including the jump to nearly $1.1 billion for Health PEI, but criticized how the funds are allocated. “Again, we’re seeing more public dollars handed over to private consultants and staffing firms. The private healthcare staffing agencies, for example, cost Islanders 20 million dollars. That is 4 times more than what the PCs had planned for. Imagine what that level of spending could do if it were invested in Island workers and public institutions instead of steadily funnelling out of the public purse.”
CUPE PEI urges our government to view this moment as an opportunity, not just a crisis. The budget includes supports like wage increases for early childhood educators and a modest $1.5 million for reskilling workers, but it’s not enough to fix long-standing recruitment and retention issues.
“People don’t move to or visit PEI for tax cuts or contingency funds—they come for quality of life, for good schools, for accessible healthcare, for a strong sense of community,” she continued. “That starts with a strong public sector. This budget was another missed opportunity for the government to show that they believe in investing in Islanders.”
CUPE PEI represents over 3,400 members across healthcare, education, municipalities, post-secondary education, long-term care, and more.

Negotiations Break Down between the City of Charlottetown and its Water & Sewer Utility Employees

CHARLOTTETOWN – CUPE Local 830, representing 30 workers at the Charlottetown Water & Sewer Utility, has filed for conciliation after 13 days of negotiations failing to produce a tentative agreement with the City.
The workers have been without a collective agreement since December 31, 2022. While respectful dialogue was maintained at the bargaining table, the City’s final wage offer of 2% per year over four (4) years falls short of covering the rising costs of everyday essentials like groceries, housing, transportation, and utilities.
“We’re not asking for the moon,” said Rob Howatt, President of CUPE 830. “We’re asking for a fair deal that respects the work we do, the skills we bring, and to be protected from inflation eating away our pay,” added Howatt.
The Union is proposing a more reasonable 3.5% per year over four (4) years. In the last contract, the wage increase was 2% per year.   With the high inflation experienced in Prince Edward Island during that time, the contract’s cost of living adjustment (COLA) provision did provide an additional 2.08% in 2021 and 5.83% in 2022. However, these adjustments did not cover the cost of living on essentials for those years.  With the inflation experienced in 2023, the purchasing power of these frontline utility workers will be further eroded if they accept the employer’s offer.
“We’re hopeful the City will improve its offer in conciliation and come with a renewed commitment to fairness,” said Howatt.

CUPE Local 1770 Urges Respect and Kindness for Frontline School Staff

CUPE Local 1770, representing School Administrative Assistants and Branch-Based Clerical Staff across Prince Edward Island, is calling on the public to extend compassion and understanding to frontline school staff. This comes in light of hateful responses directed at our members, particularly regarding recent decisions made by the Public Schools Branch, such as the removal of student memorials from schools.

“While we understand that some decisions in education can spark strong emotions, it’s crucial to remember that our members are not responsible for these decisions. Yet, they are often the ones bearing the brunt of public frustration,” said Tracy Campbell, President of CUPE Local 1770. CUPE Local 1770 members are the heart of PEI schools. They manage essential behind-the-scenes tasks like processing payroll, scheduling bus routes, and ordering supplies, while also being the welcoming faces and voices greeting staff, students, and families each day. They provide care, answer calls, and connect people to the right resources.

Harassment and Verbal Abuse Are Not Part of the Job
“Our members do their best to serve their communities with compassion and respect,” Campbell said. “However, they are increasingly subjected to verbal abuse, name-calling, and even threats, whether in person, over the phone, or online. This has been an ongoing issue, raised repeatedly with the employer in labour-management meetings.”
CUPE Local 1770 wants to remind the public that frontline staff have no authority over policy changes or mandates. They are not decision-makers; they are hard-working individuals fulfilling their duties with professionalism and care.

A Call for Community Respect
CUPE Local 1770 encourages everyone to direct their concerns to the appropriate decision-makers, rather than taking out frustrations on frontline staff. Harassment has no place in our schools or communities. “Our members live and work in the same communities they serve. They deserve to feel safe and respected in their roles and outside their workplaces,” added Campbell. “Whether it’s at a grocery store, a coffee shop, or on social media, our members should not have to face work-related harassment in their personal lives.”
CUPE Local 1770 stands firm in fostering respectful and kind workplaces and communities for all. We ask the public to join us in showing appreciation for the frontline school staff who work tirelessly to support PEI’s education system.

Health care support workers petition for liveable wage

Article from the Eastern Graphic, written by Charlotte MacAulay May 15, 2024.

When contract negotiations broke down between CUPE health care support workers and Health PEI on April 10, union reps and workers voiced their frustration outside the PEI legislature and have since started a petition.

“The CUPE Health Negotiation Team created the petition to bring awareness to the PEI government through signatures of support for CUPE Support Service Workers,” said Local 1779 president Chris Lewis.

“Workers are struggling to maintain the basic necessities of life. Many hold second jobs to make ends meet, or work short in areas, causing workload stresses to workers and their families. We are really just trying to send government the message that the public stands behind what we are fighting for.” It is not a new message to government, Mr Lewis said, the four CUPE Health Locals 805, 1051, 1778 and 1779, representing 1,300 workers, met with Premier Dennis King and Health Minister Mark McLane in June 2023.

At the time the politicians told union reps their concerns over low wages would be addressed at the bargaining table. That didn’t happen, Mr Lewis said. “The offer wasn’t enough to address inflation for our workers,” he added.

The locals represent workers in laundry, dietary, maintenance, maintenance trades and housekeeping roles. Also under the umbrella are ward clerks and sterile technicians. They work in public long-term care homes, hospitals, addiction treatment centres and public health offices. “Everyone is important within a facility,” he said. “The majority of our workers are the lowest paid in the system.”

There is no official count of signatures as yet. Mr Lewis said the four locals have been circulating the petition across the province. “Anyone approached has been quite supportive,” he said. Mr Lewis has worked maintenance at Kings County Memorial Hospital for 24 years and has seen the issues of the wage gap and burnout a few years prior to the pandemic.

He said the fact that wage hikes are doled out in percentages puts things on an uneven keel.“After awhile the higher earners will get ahead a little more, and the ones making the least amount don’t make many gains,” he said. When people can’t make ends meet they have to move on to survive.“There are a lot of vacancies and people leaving the system, especially in our groups because a lot of people are finding it tough,” he said. This makes things hard for those still in the workforce.

“People are working overtime just to keep things going, and people get tired. It hurts a lot of things like your family life and your own health too if you get a little burnt out,” Mr Lewis said. It has been over a month since that gathering at the legislature where the premier said they wanted to get back to the table, but nothing has changed.

Currently they are in conciliation with Health PEI which means both sides communicate through an independent moderator. The premier’s office, the Department of Health and Wellness and Health PEI didn’t respond to questions by press time. The collective agreement the two sides are bargaining was due to be updated in March of 2023.

PEI Government’s Budget Fails to Adequately Address Public Sector Concerns

Charlottetown, PEI – Ashley Clark, President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) PEI Division, today expressed disappointment with the PEI Government’s 2024-25 operating budget announcement, stating that it falls short of addressing critical needs within the public sector.

“While the PEI Government’s budget highlights investments in healthcare, housing, and affordability, it simply does not go far enough to address the pressing concerns faced by our frontline workers and residents,” stated Ashley Clark. “Premier Dennis King’s administration continues to overlook the essential needs of our healthcare system and fails to adequately support our valued public sector employees.”

Clark pointed out that despite allocations for healthcare improvements, the budget fails to address the underlying issues contributing to staff shortages, wage disparities, and resource deficiencies within the healthcare sector. “Allocating funds for additional patient medical homes and doctor recruitment is commendable, but without addressing fundamental issues such as bringing long-term care (LTC) workers to the public sector, these measures remain insufficient,” she emphasized. CUPE PEI notes that private sector wages would not need to reach parity with healthcare if PEI embraced LTC as a public service. “Healthcare wages are too low, and that is much worse in private LTC,” said Clark.

Furthermore, Clark criticized the budget for its lack of substantial measures to improve relations with frontline workers. “Premier Dennis King needs to recognize the importance of building better relationships with our frontline workers, who have been tirelessly serving our communities, and that is not reflected at all in our bargaining talks with the province,” Clark asserted. “Improving public services requires serious financial investments and it requires genuine collaboration and respect for public sector employees.”

CUPE PEI urged the PEI Government to prioritize meaningful dialogue with public sector unions and workers to address their concerns effectively. “We call on Premier Dennis King and his government to engage in constructive dialogue with CUPE Locals to develop comprehensive solutions that prioritize the well-being of our workers and the residents they serve,” Clark concluded.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) PEI represents over 3400 members across various sectors, including healthcare, education, municipalities, post-secondary education, long-term care, and more.

PEI Long-Term Care Review fails to add new insights

CUPE Local 2523, representing close to 200 Atlantic Baptist Nursing Home workers, along with CUPE PEI, issues a statement regarding the recently published Long-Term Care (LTC) review. While the review acknowledges inequities and calls for improvements in the private sector, it falls short of addressing the fundamental issues faced by LTC residents and workers.

The report emphasizes aligning qualifications, recruitment, retention, and financial aspects but lacks a comprehensive plan for improving LTC conditions. “Simply aligning an underfunded public sector with an even worse private sector does not provide the visionary change needed in LTC,” said CUPE Servicing Representative Lori Mackay.

“Many of the review’s recommendations merely suggest further investigation into known issues, delaying crucial action,” added Mackay. CUPE Local 2523, the PEI Health Council, and CUPE PEI initially presented recommendations in October 2022 advocating for higher-quality care, increased staffing, improved data, wage and working conditions improvements, and clear pandemic plans.

CUPE highlights the following elements, among many others, which were brought forth by care workers but inexplicably absent from the review:

  1. Transition private LTC homes to the public sector to ensure higher quality of care.
  2. Increase staffing levels in long-term care homes to improve quality of care.
  3. Negotiate fairly with unions to improve working conditions for all classifications of workers.
    1. The government has set aside some funds for wages but not true parity between private and public sectors.
    2. In current bargaining, Local 2523 has had no choice but to go into conciliation to push back on their employer’s “zeroes” (years of wage freezes) and below-inflation wage demands.
    3. Unlike other sectors, no worker in LTC has received any retention or recruitment bonuses.
  4. Support LTC workers in working reasonable hours and allow workers to take time off.
  5. Increase the number of paid sick leave for staff to 20 days per year.
  6. Maintain free tuition coverage for resident care worker programs and create educational bridging programs to train Resident Care Workers as Licensed Practical Nurses.
  7. Address the workplace psychosocial contributors to poor mental health including harassment, violence, and heavy workload.
  8. Enact pay equity in the sector, as LTC work is predominantly done by women.
  9. Address the discrepancy in resident infection rates between public and private LTC facilities.

Real progress in LTC requires a more comprehensive approach, which really recognizes the importance of those who deliver care to residents. “CUPE PEI calls on the provincial government to do the right thing and make our long-term care service a real publicly-owned and operated healthcare service. All residents and workers in this sector deserve the same standard of safety, dignity, and quality of care,” concluded Ashley Clark, President of CUPE PEI.

Celebrating Labour Day

Dear Residents of PEI and CUPE PEI Members,

Happy Labour Day to you and your families. This day holds special significance for us, as we recognize the tireless efforts of workers and the vital role they play in shaping our Island. It’s a time for unity, reflection, and hope for a brighter future.

Labour Day is not just a day off work; it’s a celebration of the sweat, determination, and dedication that each one of us invests in our daily endeavours. As President of CUPE PEI, I am proud to recognize the essential contributions of our union members in making our island a better place for all. Our collective strength has led to safer workplaces, improved wages, better benefits, and a stronger voice for workers’ rights. Together, we have made a lasting impact on the lives of our fellow Islanders.

Yet, as we celebrate our accomplishments, we must also acknowledge the areas where we can do better. Our island is growing, and we must ensure that this growth is accompanied by fairness and equity for all. It’s disheartening to witness so many workers struggling to make ends meet while so few reap the rewards. The rising cost of living, coupled with the critical need for enhanced service – not just in quantity but also in quality – compels us to take action.

Investments in vital sectors like healthcare, education, and the green transition are not just important—they are necessary for our collective well-being and the sustainable future of our island. Quality public services, fair wages, and a commitment to creating green and sustainable jobs are pivotal to our success. We must stand together to ensure that the benefits of growth are shared by everyone, not just a privileged few.

As we celebrate Labour Day, let’s also renew our commitment to fighting for better wages, safer workplaces, and improved services. I invite each and every one of you to participate in the Labour Day events taking place across our island. Let’s showcase our solidarity and determination to build a more just and prosperous PEI.

On behalf of CUPE PEI, I wish you all a joyful and inspiring Labour Day. Let’s continue to be the driving force behind positive change in our beautiful island community.

In Solidarity,

Ashley Clark
President, CUPE PEI

– – – – – –

Come to the PEI FEDERATION OF LABOUR’S  LABOUR DAY PICNIC, this Monday September 4, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

at the Joseph Ghiz Memorial Park, Charlottetown
Drop by as we celebrate Labour Day 2023! Everyone Welcome
Bouncy Castle for Kids, Hot Dogs, Corn, French Fries and more will be served.
For further information contact our office at (902) 368-3068 or peifed@pei.aibn.com

Long-Term Care Rate Hike Is Cause for Concern

Click to watch the full CBC Compass interview recorded on August 3, 2023. The segment begins at 18:04.

Charlottetown, PEI – CUPE PEI is deeply concerned about the recent announcement made by Health P.E.I. regarding new increases in daily room rates of public long-term care homes. The maximum daily rate for residents in care homes will be increasing from $92.19 to $105.78 per day, matching the higher private sector rates.

“The idea of increasing rates in the public system, as so to match the private sector is a step backward for families and a leap towards privatization in healthcare,” said Ashley Clark, President of CUPE PEI.

CUPE advocates for a true universal public long-term care system, CUPE PEI believes that access to quality long-term care should not be compromised by financial barriers.

“Rates were already unbearably high. Workers’ wages and retirees’ savings are not keeping up with inflation, so the government should be lowering rates, not increasing them,” said Clark. “This is a time where governments should be making public services more accessible, because families need more help, not less,” she added.

Healthcare in Canada is meant to be free and accessible to all, regardless of income. It is Government’s responsibility to administer this care. Health Minister Mark McLane recognized that “…we can’t expect our private long-term care homes to make investments that don’t make sense to their business model,” (June 16, CBC news). “Yet, by making the public option less attractive, this Government is signaling its intention of stepping away from its responsibility of providing public care. That is unacceptable,” said Clark.

CUPE PEI calls on the King Government to bring all private long-term care and healthcare operations into the public sector. “The government should not sacrifice the well-being of Islanders by handing over their basic responsibilities to the private sector,” concluded Clark.

43rd AGM – Ashley Clark Elected President of CUPE PEI

We are thrilled to share with you a summary of the 43rd CUPE PEI convention, where important discussions and decisions were made on behalf of our union members. This gathering brought together over 130 delegates and guests dedicated to promoting fairness, advocating for workers’ rights, and enhancing public services in Prince Edward Island.

Jennifer LeBlanc

The morning session commenced with a lively atmosphere, as attendees enjoyed a breakfast discussion on CUPE’s Anti-Racism Strategy. This initiative aims to foster diversity and inclusivity within our union, ensuring that workers of all backgrounds are valued and represented.

One of the convention’s highlights was the inspiring presentation by Leo Cheverie, a well-known activist from Local 1870. He shared updates on the ongoing “Water is Life” campaign, shedding light on the crucial efforts to protect our precious water resources. Leo’s passion and dedication reminded us of the power we hold as a collective to make positive change.

Leo Cheverie

Delegates actively participated in meaningful debates, particularly on constitutional resolutions. A significant outcome was the unanimous decision to create a diversity seat on the CUPE PEI executive board. This progressive step ensures that the voices and perspectives of Black, Indigenous, and racialized workers are heard and valued within our organization.

During the afternoon, the convention welcomed special guests, Katelyn Rogers and Meghan Rogers, PEI Easter Seals Ambassadors. Their impactful presentation highlighted the vital role our members play in supporting individuals with disabilities and showcased the profound difference our work makes in their lives. Locals Representatives, CUPE National, SCFP Quebec and many more pooled their funds to donate over $15 200 to the PEI Easter Seals

From left to right: CUPE President Mark Hancock, newly elected CUPE PEI President Ashley Clark and Leonard Gallant, outgoing CUPE PEI President

The convention also included important elections. We bid farewell to Leonard Gallant, who concluded his term as Division President and congratulate Ashley Clark on being elected as the new CUPE PEI President (2 year term). In her acceptance speech, Clark expressed her deep gratitude and commitment to advocating for fair wages, safe working conditions, and quality public services. Under her leadership, we are confident that our Division will continue to thrive and make a positive impact on workers and the community.

We would also like to acknowledge the newly elected representatives who will serve on the board:

  • Secretary-Treasurer (2-year term): Linda Jones
  • Health Care East employees representative (2-year term): Darren O’Connor
  • Education West employees representative (2-year term): Chantal Chanel Walsh
  • UPEI 1870 & 501 Security/Police representative (2-year term): Cecia Huang
  • Atlantic EMS/Atlantic Baptist Nursing and Group Homes representative (2-year term): Alice Rice
  • Young Worker representative (1-year term): Mikayla Gallant
  • Trustee (3-year term): Cheryl Koughan

We extend our appreciation to all candidates who put themselves forward, demonstrating their commitment to serving our community and advancing the interests of workers.

In conclusion, we would like to express our gratitude for Islanders’ continued support and engagement. Together, we will strive for a fairer and more inclusive society, where workers’ rights are protected, and public services are of the highest quality. We remain dedicated to building a brighter future for all residents of Prince Edward Island.