The head of the NSGEU says front-line workers are paying for the province’s financial mismanagement.
President Sandra Mullen is commenting on the budget, which features cuts to civil service jobs over the next four years.
Mullen says core services are being threatened.
“We’re still digging down to see which particular positions will be identified. It’s widespread across departments. We expect over 400 cuts to civil service jobs this year,” said Mullen.
She adds the $130 million reduction in grant spending will hurt community based organizations that support people in need.
Mullen says they’re disheartened.
“To see these cuts on the backs of what was fiscal mismanagement. There were lots of untendered contracts and spending by this government with no regard for where we were going.”
NSGEU members plan to hold a rally Wednesday outside the legislature.
Finance minister says ‘tough decisions’ had to be made
In a news conference ahead of the budget, Finance Minister John Lohr said they had to make ‘tough decisions’ with the job cuts to the civil sector.
“We value our hard-working public servants, but government needs to become more focused and efficient. We will protect core front-line services that Nova Scotians rely on and work to right-size government through attrition wherever possible,” said Lohr.
The cuts are expected to save the province $95 million over the next four years.
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