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May 13, 2002 - Thousands of social workers as well as other front line professionals (members of CUPE Local 1418) took to the streets today outside MLAs offices in several New Brunswick cities.

We are putting the government on notice, said Robert Le Moignan, President of Local 1418, as he took part in the rally outside Joel Bernards office. Our members are no longer willing to put up with staffing shortages, and workload levels that endanger the well-being of our most vulnerable citizens.

CUPE Local 1418 has been in contract negotiations with the provincial government. Noon hour rallies were held in eight New Brunswick cities to draw attention to the refusal of the Lord government to address the workload crisis faced by social workers and other front line staff.

This government has paid a lot of lip-service to the value of the work that we do. So far, though they have refused to put their money where their mouth is, continued

Le Moignan. For example, they have hired a handful of child-protection workers, but not nearly enough. According to the Children Come First a report commissioned by this government 173 new social workers must be hired to begin to address this crisis.

There are still too few staff to provide adequate care to all kids and other vulnerable New Brunswickers who need help. The government has consistently refused to address this problem in a way that will have a lasting effect.

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For more information:
Moncton -
John Eatmon, 384-1344 (H), 856-2440 (W);
Anne Hogan, 858-9960 (H), 856-3020 (W)
Saint John -
Shawna Morton, 849-9347 (H), 643-2809 (W)
Fredericton -
Kevin Doucet, 452-8007 (H), 444-4642 (W);
Amelia Kirkpartick, 454-5956 (H), 453-3173 (W)
Edmundston -
Jean Pierre Lavoie, 739-7615 (H), 735-2844 (W)
Bathurst -
Robert Le Moignan, 542-1203 (H), 547-2051 (W)
Tracadie-Sheila -
Vincent Robichaud, 336-8784 (H), 336-3052 (W)
Miramichi -
Lynn Matchett, 622-5406 (H), 627-4586 (w);
Donald Lynch, 773-9642 (H), 627-4002 (W)
Campbellton -
Marcel Snchal, 826-9021 (H), 789-7310 (W);
Andr 0043hapados, 753-6718 (H), 789-4914 (W)