Charlotte-Campobello MLA Curtis Malloch speaking on a CUPE protest representing nursing home workers that set up in front of his Milltown Blvd. office yesterday in St. Stephen.
Malloch tells Tide News it was a friendly protest and he welcomed them into his office. "We had a great talk. They basically asked from me, you know, 'Will you bring our concerns to the Minister of Social Development' and I said 'I absolutely will.'"
Malloch says the workers are concerned over future cuts to the department and how many of their jobs are on the line after linen services were contracted out to Saint John back in February.
Malloch tells Tide News, right now, the province is doing more for less because we've got no new money to throw at these problems. "I think it's really important that people know that we are trying to find answers, trying to find a way to generate more revenue in the province so we can secure and keep providing the services that we have in place today." Malloch says contracting out the linens is a way to create revenue without disrupting services for residents.
He says he promised the group he would take their concerns to the legislature today, and a meeting has been set for July 4th for CUPE to meet with Minister Madeline Dube.
