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Percy Barrett, Opposition Labour Critic and MHA for the District of
Bellevue, says this year’s Public Service Week has been destroyed by the
heavy-handed and dictatorial approach of the Premier over the past several
months.
Public Service week is usually celebrated during the second week of June
and is marked by events designed to raise morale in the public service and
demonstrate to employees that they are appreciated. This year’s public
service week will take place June 14th- June 20th.
"Next week marks the beginning of another Public Service Week in the
province," said Mr. Barrett. "Unfortunately, as a result of this
government’s attack on the province’s public service over the past several
months, government employees have little to celebrate. Premier Williams’
agenda of slash and burn has employees more concerned about having a job
next week, rather than feeling appreciated.
"If this government really appreciated their employees, they would not
have legislated them back to work this Spring, especially with a contract
that was less than what was offered at the bargaining table. This Premier
had no interest in negotiating a fair agreement, he was more interested in
imposing his will. This has put the morale of our public service at an all
time low. It will take much more than fish and chips to repair the damage
done to this vital relationship.
"Government employees are fearing for their jobs. Over 700 people have
recently received their layoff notices, with more layoffs to come during the
summer and fall. Government has already announced that over the next three
years, thousands of other jobs will be eliminated. Our health care and
education sectors will be the next target of these attacks. As the Premier
tries to pretend it is business as usual, there are hundreds of people who
fear they will not have a job in the coming months.
"This government may pretend everything is normal, but morale is far from
normal. Their efforts to mask their attacks on the public service over the
past several months is nothing more than window dressing. If this government
truly appreciated our public employees, their actions would have been
drastically different from the approach taken since March. Respect is
something that is earned and dignity is something everyone is entitled to
receive. I suggest the Premier comprehend these options before he moves
forward with anymore of his initiatives." |