Premier promises nursing home workers a new wage proposal they won't like
90 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.
David Raymond Amos I have been arguing the budget and pensions with Higgs and his cohorts for years. The most memorable time was a after a debate with Rob Moore the lawyer buddy of Higgs during the last federal election. I had some fun but I bet Higgs was sorry he crossed paths with me that night. In the last election during the only debate I was allowed to participate in I explained again how I would go about us getting us out of debt overnight and stop the lawsuits by merely honouring the deal with the bureaucrats and teachers etc and their pension plans Bruce Northrup nor anyone else dared to argue the common sense of such a simple idea. I also repeated the simple idea on Rogers TV and it still can be viewed to this very day.
Is anybody curious?
Johnny Horton
Reply to @David Raymond Amos: Well as the people elected them and not you, I’d say they won that debate, despite your evisiknist history. Heck they won it without even needing to talk.
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @David Raymond Amos: I see the Irving shill is still dogging me but whenever I respond to him I am blocked Go Figure whose side CBC is on
Clarence Slydell
Reply to @David Raymond Amos:
I posted this in reply to another poster on a different story but it applies here as well.
"Johnny boy likes to argue. He likes to take the opposing side of any topic and put his own oddball spin on it and then hang on with all his might, kinda like a pitbull with it's jaws clamped down on whatever victim it chooses, making stuff up as he goes along and most people fall right into his trap engaging him while he giggles with glee at the attention he's getting.
There is a word for this kind of behaviour on internet boards but CBC doesn't like anyone to use it as they seem to enjoy the results that it brings."
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Clarence Slydell: I figured that out months ago However the real question is why does CBC block replies to him?
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Clarence Slydell: BTW scroll to the bottom comment to see what I said to Deschamps last night
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Clarence Slydell: BTW this is what he want folks to ignore now that my name is on another ballot Obviously I am the first one to speak
Ben Haroldson It'll be final in his own mind. Time to call a new provincial election.Between him and cardy, things are NOT good.
Johnny Horton
Reply to @Ben Haroldson: Yes they were SOOOOO MUCH better when the libs bid $100m on some sports games and gave their buddies six figure patronage jobs,
Johnny Horton
Reply to @Ben Haroldson: Yea ATCON was so much better.
Ben Haroldson
Reply to @Johnny Horton: did I say anything about electing libs? I have NEVER voted lib in my life. So figure it out wise guy.
Ben Haroldson
Reply to @Johnny Horton: For that matter, I have NEVER voted pc provincially either. I did use the fed pcs to get rid of the gun reg, and I am going to do it again.
Johnny Horton
Reply to @Ben Haroldson: What other choices are there, the greens and ndp will do the exact same thing. It’s the whole core of party politics.
Ben Haroldson
Reply to @Johnny Horton: Waste yer vote. I usually vote for the party or ind not aligned with gun control, heck I'd even vote for the DA if he was running in my riding.
Johnny Horton
Reply to @Ben Haroldson: The whole problem with turfing governments every four or eight years is that they don’t have time to get anything accomplished in terms of real change. They spend their time trying to undo the mess the previous government left behind.
Ben Haroldson
Reply to @Johnny Horton: On the pot thing, the big delay was for the hairy man to get all his buds in the door.
Johnny Horton
Reply to @Ben Haroldson: Yep cause there aren’t enough deaths due to guns in Toronto. Nobody NEEDS a gun. People want them sure but they don’t need them.
Ben Haroldson
Reply to @Johnny Horton: Coruption is the problem. Doesn't matter who gets in fed, or prov, every one of them passes through the event horizon of the black hole of corruption. We need to get to the bottom of that in a hurry.
Ben Haroldson
Reply to @Johnny Horton: It's a hobby for me. I hunt, and I love wild meat, and I love the woods. I'm not hurting a thing and I'm all legal, but whenever something happens in the big smoke, I'm one of the ones who gets punished.
Johnny Horton
Reply to @Ben Haroldson: People hunted wild meat for millennia before guns...
Ben Haroldson
Reply to @Johnny Horton: Well then why aren't we still doing it that way?
Johnny Horton
Reply to @Ben Haroldson: You tell me, you are the one using the gun :)
Lewis Taylor
Reply to @Johnny Horton: remember Orimulsion??
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Ben Haroldson:" heck I'd even vote for the DA if he was running in my riding."
Thank You Kind Sir
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Ben Haroldson: Methinks you will like what I said about my guns N'esy Pas?
Raising a Little Hell- Lively Debate Provokes Crowd By Erin Hatfield
"If you don't like what you got, why don't you change it? If your world is all screwed up, rearrange it."
The 1979 Trooper song Raise a Little Hell blared on the speakers at the 8th Hussars Sports Center Friday evening as people filed in to watch the Fundy candidates debate the issues. It was an accurate, if unofficial, theme song for the debate.
The crowd of over 200 spectators was dwarfed by the huge arena, but as they chose their seats, it was clear the battle lines were drawn. Supporters of Conservative candidate Rob Moore naturally took the blue chairs on the right of the rink floor while John Herron's Liberalswent left. There were splashes of orange, supporters of NDP Pat Hanratty, mixed throughout. Perhaps the loudest applause came from a row towards the back, where supporters of independent candidate David Amos sat."
"Staying true to party platforms for the most part, candidates responded to questions about the gun registry, same sex marriage, the exodus of young people from the Maritimes and regulated gas prices. Herron and Moore were clear competitors,constantly challenging each other on their answers and criticizing eachothers’ party leaders. Hanratty flew under the radar, giving short, concise responses to the questions while Amos provided some food for thought and a bit of comic relief with quirky answers. "I was raised with a gun," Amos said in response to the question of the national gun registry. "Nobody's getting mine and I'm not paying 10 cents for it."
Johnny Horton
Reply to @David Raymond Amos: You mean how the liberals promised an inquiry until they got into power and shut one down so the citizens couldn’t delve into the deal they made for $338 million while having lost $700m on the rifrvidhment,
Typica” liberal math though as long as some money coma in, it doesn’t matter the actual cost.
Ben Haroldson
Reply to @David Raymond Amos: Good luck next time
Ben Haroldson
Reply to @Johnny Horton: " Nobody NEEDS a gun. People want them sure but they don’t need them. " That statement is as liberal as it gets around here, so you really don't know what you are or aren't.
Johnny Horton
Reply to @Ben Haroldson: I’m libertarian, no government.
But my political leanings have nothing to doe tin if people need a gun or not, . Shoot, I’m not even opposed to guns. However people still don’t need them despite what I actually think of them. That’s too separate issue.
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Ben Haroldson: Next Time? I am on the the ballot in Fundy Royal right now I don't need luck because I have no false illusions of ever winning If you watched what I said on Rogers TV when I ran against Bruce Northrup et al last fall you should have noticed that I didn't ask anyone to vote for me. I use the political debates to expose the public corruption in support of my litigation.
George Smith
Seems a significant number of Higgs appointments are Irving people. He treats bargaining like the Irvings too. Welcome to the New Irving government. I believe the others parties should defeat him and he'd be thrown out of office. But that won't happen because they have a say in this Minority Government and probably wouldn't have a say after a new election.
Johnny Horton
Reply to @George Smith: Why? So the liberals can again get in power and hire all their buddies for the next frsncophonie games?
George Smith
Reply to @Johnny Horton: So you support the new Irving run Government of N.B. We always knew they ran our province no matter what party was in power. Higgs just makes it official.
Johnny Horton
Reply to @George Smith: So why it when one says something on the internet, it automatically implies the opposite.
Can one not like either? Must one spell thst our in every single post,
Although I do support both parties limiting the raise to 1% like all the other groups got.
I do find it very hypocritical though that suddenly the liberals want blood on this file. It’s just so bloody transparent politics. For something hike in power, against it while not in power. Thst goes for many things including in this case, patronage sppoitments and the 1% raise.
Lewis Taylor
Reply to @Johnny Horton: Horton are you an Irving employee???
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Lewis Taylor: Of course he is
Johnny Horton
Reply to @Lewis Taylor: Right, so one can’t criticize the other side, if they do. They clearly work for Irving, left wing logic. One csn dislike bofh you know, it doesn’t need to be pointed out in every post everything gone dislikes,
David Raymond Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Lewis Taylor: Its a waste of precious time arguing with an Irving However an Irving Newsrag did tell a little truth about me years ago
The Unconventional Candidate
David Amos Isn’t Campaigning For Your Vote, But….
By Gisele McKnight
FUNDY—He has a pack of cigarettes in his shirt pocket, a chain on his wallet, a beard at least a foot long, 60 motorcycles and a cell phone that rings to the tune of "Yankee Doodle."
Meet the latest addition to the Fundy ballot—David Amos.
The independent candidate lives in Milton, Massachusetts with his wife and two children, but his place of residence does not stop him from running for office in Canada.
One has only to be at least 18, a Canadian citizen and not be in jail to meet Elections Canada requirements.
When it came time to launch his political crusade, Amos chose his favourite place to do so—Fundy.
Amos, 52, is running for political office because of his dissatisfaction with politicians.
"I’ve become aware of much corruption involving our two countries," he said. "The only way to fix corruption is in the political forum."
The journey that eventually led Amos to politics began in Sussex in 1987. He woke up one morning disillusioned with life and decided he needed to change his life.
"I lost my faith in mankind," he said. "People go through that sometimes in midlife."
So Amos, who’d lived in Sussex since 1973, closed his Four Corners motorcycle shop, paid his bills and hit the road with Annie, his 1952 Panhead motorcycle.
"Annie and I rode around for awhile (three years, to be exact) experiencing the milk of human kindness," he said. "This is how you renew your faith in mankind – you help anyone you can, you never ask for anything, but you take what they offer."
David Raymond Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @David Raymond Amos:
For those three years, they offered food, a place to sleep, odd jobs and conversation all over North America.
Since he and Annie stopped wandering, he has married, fathered a son and a daughter and become a house-husband – Mr. Mom, as he calls himself.
He also describes himself in far more colourful terms—a motorcyclist rather than a biker, a "fun-loving, free-thinking, pig-headed individual," a "pissed-off Maritimer" rather than an activist, a proud Canadian and a "wild colonial boy."
Ironically, the man who is running for office has never voted in his life.
"But I have no right to criticize unless I offer my name," he said. "It’s alright to ***** in the kitchen, but can you walk the walk?"
What he’s fighting for is the discussion of issues – tainted blood, the exploitation of the Maritimes’ gas and oil reserves and NAFTA, to name a few.
"The political issues in the Maritimes involve the three Fs – fishing, farming and forestry, but they forget foreign issues," he said. "I’m death on NAFTA, the back room deals and free trade. I say chuck it (NAFTA) out the window.
NAFTA is the North American Free Trade Agreement which allows an easier flow of goods between Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Amos disagrees with the idea that a vote for him is a wasted vote.
"There are no wasted votes," he said. "I want people like me, especially young people, to pay attention and exercise their right. Don’t necessarily vote for me, but vote."
Although…if you’re going to vote anyway, Amos would be happy to have your X by his name.
"I want people to go into that voting booth, see my name, laugh and say, ‘what the hell.’"
Johnny Horton It’s hilarious watching all the liberals foaming at the bit for Higgs had over this - w%%hen the liberals had the file for over two years and made basically the exact same offer.
Lewis TaylorContent disabled Reply to @Johnny Horton: Irving Boy!
David Raymond Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Lewis Taylor: I call him an Irving shill
Kyle Woodman How can Higgs, on the one hand, say we have no money but then appoint a partisan "tourism consultant" with no credentials to a newly created position for $175,000 /year +expenses. We are already paying a qualified deputy minister to do that job. Dosen't sound like "finding efficiencies" to me.
Johnny Horton
Reply to @Kyle Woodman: So as long as the money goes instead to this special interest group instead of that special interest group, it’s okay?
Kyle Woodman
Reply to @Johnny Horton: what special interest group is Yetta Hurley part of?
Johnny Horton
Reply to @Kyle Woodman: Special interest group, as in a group looking out for their own special interests,
Kyle Woodman
Reply to @Johnny Horton: you think you're pretty smart, don't you. It comes across as arrogance.
Johnny Horton
Reply to @Kyle Woodman: I don’t see why pointing out s group of people wanting a raise higher than what every other government group has gotten is arrogant, and it’s certainly self interest to demand a raise more than others got.
David Raymond Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Kyle Woodman: I truly believe he is as dumb as post
Johnny Horton All those poor stressed out laundry workers need their 20% raise.
George Smith
Reply to @Johnny Horton: Just wondering which Irving company you work for.
Johnny Horton
Reply to @George Smith: I don’t work for Irving never did. I do however though think government wages should be in line with private sector wages for the same job,
Lewis Taylor
Reply to @Johnny Horton: You could get a job and work in a nursing home?
David Raymond Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Johnny Horton: Pure D BS
Johnny Horton
Reply to @Lewis Taylor: If they’d hire me without needing to join a union so I can negotiate my own job description and salary. Sure, I could leave retirement to pitch in,
Matt Steele Govt. workers need to realize that N.B. is broke , and the TAXPAYERS ARE MAXED OUT . The Province currently has a 14 BILLION dollar debt ; and pays around 2 MILLION per day just in interest . Maybe if these Govt. workers want more money , they should get a job in the private sector , and see what they are getting paid . No one is forcing these workers to work for govt. as they can quit any time that they wish
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Matt Steele: Cry me another river
SarahRose Werner "This has to be a team." - Oh, yeah, telling people, "You won't like this but it's final," that's a really great way to inspire team work. Being a team depends on trust, and Higgs has yet to give the workers any reasons to trust him.
Johnny Horton
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: The “team” is the group of workers that get paid by the government. The Rest of the team has accepted 1%.
Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: Where the elusive Higgs Bozon worked before, he used to tell people what to do. That's what he calls team work.
Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @Johnny Horton:
Lewis Taylor
Reply to @Johnny Horton: Not so popular...IRving boy
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Lewis Taylor: HMMMM
Paul Bourgoin One has to understand that here in New Brunswick subsidies to industry who milk government funds, benefit from tax breaks are more important than services to the owners of New Brunswick, the RESIDENTS!
Johnny Horton
Reply to @Paul tha One has to understand that here in NB, one is part of a system. that if one gets 20%, sll have to get 20%. Thst as everyone else has accepted 1%, they must accept that is what they will get too.
Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @Johnny Horton: I always thought you CONservative supporters understood the market forces of capitalism and offer and demand? - Maybe the elusive Higgs Bozon will, too late, he'll finally see, that health care workers have gone somewhere else.
Johnny Horton
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: First off I’m not conservative. You do know people can be something other than a lib or a con right? Secondly. There is nothing capitalist nor supply and demand about a union. Drop the union, let each worker negotiate their own value, then you’ll actually have capitalism,
Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @Johnny Horton: then what are you, green?
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Methinks he is playing you like a fiddle N'esy Pas?
Premier promises nursing home workers a new wage proposal they won't like
Offer will be presented this week or next and will be 'final,' premier says
CBC·
CUPE supporters carried cardboard cutouts of MLAs to re-enact a legislature vote in May that sided with the workers' desire to have binding arbitration. (Hadeel Ibrahim/CBC)
Premier Blaine Higgs says he will have a new offer for nursing home workers who've been trying for years to get a wage increase, but he expects the union won't like it.
"Right up front, it's not going to be what they want," Higgs told reporters at a news conference Tuesday in Fredericton. "It's going to be, you know, we need to find money in the system."
Higgs said he'll be presenting the offer this week or next. Contract talks have been going on between the New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes and the union representing nursing home workers since the last agreement expired in 2016.
The talks broke down and a strike vote was held in March. Workers haven't been able to strike because of back-to-back court challenges.
The province is appealing a lower court decision from July in favour of the Canadian Union of Public Employees. Court of Queen's Bench Justice Tracey DeWare ruled the province's Essential Services in Nursing Homes Act was unconstitutional, upholding a December 2018 labour board decision.
Premier Blaine Higgs addresses reporters Tuesday in Fredericton. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
The province appealed, arguing DeWare made multiple errors in law. The arguments will be heard in late October.
After spending weeks in talks, with the provincial government at the table, the parties haven't come close to reaching an agreement on wage increases.
CUPE represents the 4,100 workers, who include licensed practical nurses, resident attendants, support service workers such as dietary and laundry workers and some clerical workers.
The union wants a 20 per cent wage increase over four years. The government has limited wage increases to one per cent a year for the public sector, or about 10 cents an hour.
Higgs said the province's offer to nursing home workers will be the final one.
"It essentially will be [final] because it's, you know, we've put others and they flat out reject them," he said. "I think this one needs to go to the membership and be voted."
Sharon Teare, president of the New Brunswick Council of Nursing Home Unions, demonstrators outside the legislature Tuesday. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
In response to this comment, Sharon Teare, president of the New Brunswick Council of Nursing Home Unions, said the membership has always dictated what the union does, not the other way around.
On the same day Higgs made the remarks, CUPE supporters were demonstrating outside the legislature. Carrying cardboard cutouts of each MLA, demonstrators re-enacted a legislature vote in May that sided with the workers' call for binding arbitration.
Teare, who was among the demonstrators, called Higgs's comments "disappointing."
"It's unfortunate that he senses that it's not ... something that we're going to like. So, obviously, is it a waste of time?"
In May, a motion by the Opposition Liberals supporting the nursing home workers' call for binding arbitration was backed by two People's Alliance MLAs and three Greens. The motion was symbolic but CUPE wants Premier Blaine Higgs to honour it. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
The government has said it will only support binding arbitration under the condition the arbitrator consider the wage increases already negotiated with its other unionized employees. The union has rejected this approach, saying it wouldn't amount to binding arbitration.
In May, MLAs approved a symbolic motion calling for binding arbitration, and on Tuesday CUPE demonstrators said the Higgs government is not honouring this vote.
Higgs said what he's telling nursing home workers is the same thing he's telling everyone else: the resources are too limited.
Because of the financial challenges, this "can't be a typical union-management relationship," he said. "This has to be a team."
Well as the people elected them and not you, I’d say they won that debate, despite your evisiknist history. Heck they won it without even needing to talk.
I posted this in reply to another poster on a different story but it applies here as well.
"Johnny boy likes to argue. He likes to take the opposing side of any topic and put his own oddball spin on it and then hang on with all his might, kinda like a pitbull with it's jaws clamped down on whatever victim it chooses, making stuff up as he goes along and most people fall right into his trap engaging him while he giggles with glee at the attention he's getting.
There is a word for this kind of behaviour on internet boards but CBC doesn't like anyone to use it as they seem to enjoy the results that it brings."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZqArRNshSM