|
December 14, 2006
Union locals hold bake sales to raise
funds for MNR
NORTH BAY, HEARST, and TIMMINS, ON, Dec. 13 -
Union locals in Hearst, North Bay, and Timmins
will hold bake sales December 14 to help raise
money for their employer, the Ministry of
Natural Resources.
"The purpose of these events is to illustrate,
in a humourous way, just how desperate the
situation is for the MNR in northern Ontario,"
said Dave Fluri, a steward with Local 635 of the
Ontario Public Service Employees Union. "It's
pretty sad when a ministry of the Ontario
government can't even afford to put gas in its
vehicles."
The events are part of the union's "Save the MNR"
campaign to protest budget cuts to ministry
operations.
Union members in the MNR are wearing black every
Thursday, signing petitions for presentation in
the Legislature, and
meeting with local MPPs.
Operating funds for the MNR are down over $25
million for 2006-07, a cut of more than five per
cent, in real terms, from 2005-06.
The cuts have reduced park staffing, curtailed
fish and wildlife enforcement, reduced public
oversight of industry, and forced many MNR
offices to close their doors to the public.
By SooToday.com
Staff -
www.SooToday.com
|
