Fighting for Pension Protection at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories

Protecting the pensions of our members is a top priority at PIPSC. That’s why over the last year we have been fighting so hard to ensure our members at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) remain in the Public Service Pension Plan. The Harper government removed nuclear workers from the public pension plan without consultation or discussion.  As we all know, employees at CNL have been integral to the development of safe, medical isotopes to diagnose and treat disease.

Along with other unions representing workers at CNL, PIPSC has banded together to form The Canadian Alliance of Nuclear Workers (CANW). This group, of which CRPEG President Jonathan Fitzpatrick is an active member, has been lobbying hard to keep members in the plan. They have also launched a targeted web and social media campaign to gain support for their work and to pressure key decision makers.

In short, all that our members are asking for is what was unfairly taken from them.  It’s time that the Prime Minister reverse the ideologically-motivated decisions of his predecessor and treat the staff of Canada’s federally operated nuclear facilities as the vital public servants they are.

On June 5, I attended a rally with members of our CRPEG group, other unions, and supporters. Standing outside the Treasury Board offices, we demanded that CNL employees get their pensions back.  (You can watch the video of my speech here.)  This week, I also had the opportunity to stand with Jonathan Fitzpatrick, members of the coalition and MP Daniel Blaikie to deliver thousands of letters from CNL employees to the Prime Minister and the President of the Treasury Board.  The press conference can be viewed here on the CPAC network.

Please take a moment to join the campaign to support Canadian Nuclear Workers and support your fellow members by visiting the CANW action site and joining the Facebook group.

Better Together!

Debi Daviau