September 12, 2002 (Fredericton) The text below will run as a paid ad in L’Acadie Nouvelle on Friday, September 13 and in the Saint John Telegraph Journal on Saturday, September 14:
Time to set the record straight
In an ad published in this paper on September 12, the Government of New Brunswick released what it claims are the average wages of the members of CUPE 1418. These numbers were outrageously inflated and represent not the average wage for each classification but the very top of the wage grid, a level attained only after at least 10 years of service.
In truth there are far more of our members at the bottom of the wage grid – young workers who are just starting out:
Starting salary - $30,940
What the government said was the average salary - $46,172
Difference - $15,232
Classification - All Other Social Workers
Starting salary - $30,940
What the government said was the average salary - $47,317
Difference - $16,377 Classification - All Other Employees
Starting salary - $30,940
What the government said was the average salary - $43,562
Difference - $12,622
Some other facts:
The government of New Brunswick has been playing fast and loose with the numbers and making a joke out of negotiations. The members of CUPE 1418, people who care for some of the most vulnerable people in New Brunswick, don’t want to play games. We call on the government to get serious, get back to the table and work with us to reach an agreement – for the sake of our members, our clients and all of New Brunswick.
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For more information:
Anne Hogan, President CUPE 1418, 850-1753 (cell.)
Robert LeMoignan, CUPE 1418, 545-5441(cell.)
Laurie Kingston, CUPE Communications,
613-266-1415 (cell.)
Time to set the record straight
In an ad published in this paper on September 12, the Government of New Brunswick released what it claims are the average wages of the members of CUPE 1418. These numbers were outrageously inflated and represent not the average wage for each classification but the very top of the wage grid, a level attained only after at least 10 years of service.
In truth there are far more of our members at the bottom of the wage grid – young workers who are just starting out:
Classification - Clinical Psychologist 1
Starting salary - $42,094
What the government said was the average salary - $52,364
Difference - $10,270
Starting salary - $30,940
What the government said was the average salary - $46,172
Difference - $15,232
Classification - All Other Social Workers
Starting salary - $30,940
What the government said was the average salary - $47,317
Difference - $16,377 Classification - All Other Employees
Starting salary - $30,940
What the government said was the average salary - $43,562
Difference - $12,622
Some other facts:
- The percentage that the government claims it has offered us is another wild exaggeration. If we had been offered 16.8% we would not be on strike.
- We are only asking for the same wage increase as what the government has already given to others who do similar work.
- Every member of CUPE 1418 has had a chance to review every written proposal from the government. The last new offer was tabled on June 21. We sent it to our members on June 22.
The government of New Brunswick has been playing fast and loose with the numbers and making a joke out of negotiations. The members of CUPE 1418, people who care for some of the most vulnerable people in New Brunswick, don’t want to play games. We call on the government to get serious, get back to the table and work with us to reach an agreement – for the sake of our members, our clients and all of New Brunswick.
-30-
For more information:
Anne Hogan, President CUPE 1418, 850-1753 (cell.)
Robert LeMoignan, CUPE 1418, 545-5441(cell.)
Laurie Kingston, CUPE Communications,
613-266-1415 (cell.)