NEW GLASGOW, NS - The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is calling on the Town of Pictou to keep the Ship Hector and its associated infrastructure in public hands.
CUPE National Representative Kim Cail said, “A delay in the proposed transfer to a non-profit society which has been prompted by an environmental assessment, gives Town Council an opportunity to revisit its decision to disassociate itself with this icon of Nova Scotia.
“In addition, if the proposed sale of the Ship Hector and Heritage Quay to private interests for the sum of nine dollars goes through, good paying jobs in the Town of Pictou may be lost,” said Cail.
“Let’s also remember that the Hector really belongs to the residents of Pictou and the people of Nova Scotia. After all, hundreds of thousands of tax dollars have gone into the Hector Heritage Quay since it was first opened,” she added.
Meanwhile, CUPE Nova Scotia president Danny Cavanagh said, “This landmark tourist attraction employs eight members of CUPE local 281. These employees perform maintenance and repair work involved in the upkeep of this invaluable piece of Pictou’s history.”
“A very important piece of the puzzle is being forgotten here,” said Cavanagh. “These are seasonal jobs in a town where a lot of residents already go elsewhere to find employment. The impact of losing these decent-paying, unionized jobs is huge.”
“We’d like to have a commitment from the town council that they’re going to protect these jobs,” said Cavanagh.
For more information, contact:
Kim Cail
CUPE National Representative
Tel: (902) 752-2244
Danny Cavanagh
CUPE NS president
Cell: (902) 957-0822
John McCracken
CUPE Communications Representative
Tel: (902) 455-4180