CUPE attacks work overload

May 11 2001 - 100 delegates, representing more than 2200 PEI members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) voted overwhelmingly against 'unsafe and unhealthy' workload levels at the annual convention of CUPE PEI.

"It is time to demand more staff, take our breaks and refuse to work unpaid overtime. It is also time to be compensated for the damage workload and stress are wreaking on our bodies and our lives," says CUPE National President Judy Darcy. "The Canadian Union of Public Employees is declaring war on work overload."

"We work through our breaks. We work through our lunches. We are working longer hours and additional unpaid hours," says Donalda MacDonald, President of CUPE PEI. "Enough is enough. Our members are telling us that workload is going to be a major issue in negotiations and in our workplaces."

The vote was taken on an executive resolution stating that CUPE members in all sectors are dealing with increasing on-the-job stresses caused by chronic government under-funding, privatization, staffing shortages and workplace amalgamations. The resolution described work overload a "modern-day epidemic," that leads to unhealthy levels of stress and to on-the-job injuries. It called for CUPE PEI to focus on workload in this year's campaigns and negotiations.

52% of public sector workers identified heavy workload as a significant problem in a cross-Canada poll conducted by Ekos. This was particularly emphasised by people in the education (74%) and social services sectors (72%). The poll aso showed that public sector workers work more overtime than those in the private sector.

"From coast to coast, our members are telling me that the pressure of excessive workload is costing them their health. We know of one member who experienced such incredible stress from work overload that he took his own life," adds Judy Darcy, CUPE's National President. "It is unacceptable that workers should have to choose between their jobs and their health. It is unacceptable that Premier Binns can brag about a budget surplus, yet he can't find the funds to address the workload crisis. In PEI, our members are fed up and we aren't going to take it any more."