ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR--(Marketwired - June 10, 2016) - The union representing the province's library workers is launching a new TV ad campaign which contrasts the $1 million-dollar savings from closing 54 libraries to Ed Martin's severance deal.
CUPE NL President Wayne Lucas says, "The $1.4 million in severance was more money than the actual savings from the library closures. How can this be happening in this day and age," asks Lucas.
"Now it appears the premier himself was directly involved in the deal that saw Martin leave gracefully, after the Board fired him so they could pay him his severance," says Lucas.
CUPE Local 2329 President Dawn Lahey says, "The average cost of keeping one of those 54 libraries open is $18,500. Doesn't Education Minister Dale Kirby think the people of Fogo Island - or the dozens of other communities who are losing their libraries - are worth $18,500 a year?
"While he's at it, the minister needs to tell the entirely female workforce who will be losing their jobs, how his government can now justify eliminating decent-paying, unionized jobs in rural Newfoundland and Labrador," says Lahey.
The TV ads commence Monday, June 13 on both the NTV and CBC networks. They can be viewed on You Tube here:
Contact Information:
President, CUPE NL
(709) 727-2509 (m)
Dawn Lahey
Local 2329 President
(709) 693-3843 (m)
John McCracken
CUPE Communications Representative
(902) 880-8057 (m)