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News - December 2008

The headlines for news items published during this month are listed below.

Click on the headline of your choice to see the entire text of the article.

• Tips for subscribing to the ‘NHU NewsService’

• Holiday Message from National President Tony Tilley

• Stand up to Harper; stand up for democratic government!

Tips for subscribing to the ‘NHU NewsService’

Posted December 21, 2008

The NHU is pleased to offer the ‘NHU News Service’ – what is referred to as a RSS feed – so that you'll never miss out on the latest information and events.

The initials RSS stand for ‘Really Simple Syndication’.  Once you subscribe, news items that are posted on our Web site will be automatically sent to the in box of your e-mail program.

In theory, subscription is simple.  Just clicking on the NHU News Service logo should add you to your RSS news reader.  However…

The Web browser available to many federal government workers for Internet access is Microsoft Internet Explorer 6. Unfortunately, IE 6 does not have a built-in RSS reader, as IE 6 was developed before RSS technology came to the fore.

On the other hand, Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 and various variants of the Firefox Web browser have built-in RSS readers, requiring nothing other than clicking on the NHU Web site icons for the NHU News Service.

HERE is a link to download Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.  And HERE is a link to the Firefox browser:

Otherwise, you will have to download a separate RSS reader.  We recommend FeedDemon, which is available at no charge by clicking HERE.

We apologize for these complications, which flow from the employer’s use of older software.

Holiday Message from National President Tony Tilley

Posted December 15, 2008

The holiday season is once again upon us.  A chance to pause and reflect.  To gain from the past and anticipate the future. 

Certainly the past year was as eventful as any I can remember.  Faced with the departure of our former Income Security Program members, we turned our attention and energies into rebuilding and reshaping the old NHWU into the emergent National Health Union.

I truly believe that last August’s First NHU Triennial National Convention in St. John’s was a major turning point in the evolution of our union.  We have a new image, and a new Web site to go along with it.  We are growing.  Our finances are sound.  We are building constructive working relationships with our employers.

 The year to come will, of course, present its own share of new challenges.  Yet, such challenges also present opportunities.  Working together, I am confident that the NHU will adapt to ever-changing circumstances and will continue to vigorously protect the rights and interests of all our members.

The festive season reminds us that, despite our all too imperfect world, we do have much to be thankful for.  This also holds true for us as union members.

Thanks to our Local Executive members, those volunteers whose dedication and efforts see to it that our members’ interests are protected in the workplace.

Thanks to the NHU staff who are always ready and willing to go the extra mile to defend our members.

And last, but far from least, thanks to all of you who have supported and encouraged us through a transformative year for our union.

On behalf of the entire NHU National Council and National Office staff, I wish you good health, good spirit and good will as we look ahead to another doubtless exciting and eventful year.  May you find much peace in the presence of family and friends. God bless.

                                                                      Tony Tilley

                                                                      National President

Stand up to Harper; stand up for democratic government!

Posted December 2, 2008

Most bullies are cowards. They swagger and strut, until finally, someone has the courage to take them on. Then, inevitably, they turn tail and run for cover.

That pretty much sums up what’s happening on Parliament Hill this week, as Stephen Harper furiously backtracks away from a predicament of his own making.

Rather than address the ever-growing economic crisis, the Conservatives announced a series of anti-democratic draconian measures that included removing federal workers’ right to strike, women’s right to equal pay for work of equal value and rolling back wage increases in signed collective agreements.

The great majority of Canadians are outraged at Harper’s moves and support the concept a new Liberal-NDP coalition government that will work to build, and not tear down, the economy and federal services.

Our bargaining agent, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, is throwing its weight behind a noon-hour protest rally on Parliament Hill this Thursday, December 4.  We urge all NHU members in the National Capital Region to support this demand to ‘Make Parliament Work!’

Copies of posters promoting the Ottawa rally can be downloaded below in both official languages for distribution outside work hours:

NHU members outside the NCR should visit the following ‘Make Parliament Work!’ Web site for information on similar rallies being organized in major centres across the country.

‘Make Parliament Work!’