Conservative Cuts Will Devastate Local Communities

(Borden, ON) - Budget cuts at the Department of National Defence are leading to sweeping job loses on military bases across the country.

At the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden, the contracted-out cleaning services provided by Koprash Inc. will be eliminated by the end of the year. The loss of the contract will mean 120 cleaners will lose their jobs, effective December 31^st, 2012. This represents 60% of the cleaning staff on the Base. 

On average these workers earn $12 per hour; yet, their combined salaries represent a monthly loss to the local economy of over $200,000.

“This news is devastating. Yet, these workers and their families aren't the only ones affected,” states Sharon DeSousa, PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President for Ontario. “There are hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses that will be affected by the loss of spending power through these layoffs.”

The Union of National Defence Employees (UNDE), a component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), sees the loss of these jobs on the Base as a troubling trend for the region.

“The main economic driver of this entire area is the Base. These job losses represent how government cuts not only impact the public sector, but the private sector as well,” says John MacLennan, UNDE National President.  “Job losses at the Base mean less spending in the community and ultimately businesses will suffer.”

Community members and the media are invited to attend a press conference to discuss these impacts.

When:            Wednesday, November 28th, 2012 at 11:00 am

Where:           Angus & Area Chamber of Commerce (71 King Street, Angus, ON)

Speakers:     John MacLennan, UNDE National President

           Sharon DeSousa, PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:   

Lino Vieira, PSAC Communications Officer, Cell – 416-577-0238