The Charest governments ferocious attack on collective agreements and public facilities has prompted concerned citizens to take action. About 400 CUPE members protested in Quebec City against the governments intention to privatize public transit. In recent weeks, hundreds of CUPE members and allies have also taken to the streets in Montreal. The message to Jean Charest is clear: Public Works!
CUPE leaders point out that public transit systems in the province have been starved for funding since provincial subsidies were cut off in 1992 and responsibility fell solely to riders and cash-strapped municipalities.
We see the Charest government has no intention of correcting the underfunding problem, says CUPE 1983 president Claude Benoit. His only goal is to privatize these services so that his friends on the board of trade can fill their pockets with lucrative contracts on the backs of the workers.
CUPE leaders point out that public transit systems in the province have been starved for funding since provincial subsidies were cut off in 1992 and responsibility fell solely to riders and cash-strapped municipalities.
We see the Charest government has no intention of correcting the underfunding problem, says CUPE 1983 president Claude Benoit. His only goal is to privatize these services so that his friends on the board of trade can fill their pockets with lucrative contracts on the backs of the workers.