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October 3, 1997
CANADIAN UNION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES / SYNDICAT CANADIEN DE LA FONCTION PUBLIQUE
Good Jobs Lost When Public Sector Cut: Study
TORONTO (October 3) -- The Canadian Union of Public Employees today released a major study showing that not all jobs are created equal. Public sector downsizing and privatization are forcing people into jobs that offer lower wages, fewer benefits and less security, says a report prepared for CUPE by the Canadian Council on Social Development.
"You can't raise a family on McJob wages, but that is all we are left with," said Judy Darcy, CUPE's National President. "Governments and big business keep pushing layoffs, cutbacks and privatization. This study confirms what we have been saying: the impact is devastating -- for families, for communities and for local economies."
"Thousands of workers are being forced into part-time jobs at poverty wages with no benefits or security. How are they going to feed their families if we continue to cut public sector jobs?" asked Darcy.
Clarence Lochhead, research director for the CCSD and a co-author of the report, highlighted some of the key findings. Over the past five years, more than 120,000 jobs were lost in the public sector. On average women in the public sector earn twice as much as women in the private sector, where an alarming 41 per cent of women earn less than $10.00 per hour. Compared with the private sector, more public sector workers are employed full-time and receive pensions, paid sick leave and health benefits.
"The study shows that women, youth, older workers and smaller communities are hurt the most," said Judy Darcy.
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Public Sector Downsizing - Related Material
Canadian Council on Social Development,
309 Cooper Street, 5th Floor,
Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 0G5
Tel: (613) 236-8977, Fax: (613) 236-2750, Web: www.ccsd.ca, Email: council@ccsd.ca
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