USJE members in Yellowknife held a rally on March 4 despite frigid temperatures first thing in the morning, drawing media attention for the “first rally at -50 degrees in 20 years.”
The rally kicked off at 7:30 a.m., when the temperature was marked at -37 degrees (-50 degrees with the windchill)! Participants gathered outside the Greenstone Building in downtown Yellowknife, home to both PPSC and the Yellowknife Parole offices.
The cold weather did not stop participants’ attempts to connect with workers headed into the office—they shared USJE’s concerns about the federal government’s budget cuts with everyone walking in and out of the doors. Several other PSAC members mentioned hearing about WFA notices being served in their departments, creating uncertainty for workers in the North.
USJE National President David Neufeld spoke at length about the cuts during an interview with a journalist from Cabin Radio. He mentioned that PPSC has not faced any Comprehensive Expenditure Review (CER) cuts at this time, but they are currently understaffed and overworked. USJE is concerned with Treasury Board’s CER and what it will mean for PPSC members across the country.
Thank you to all the members who braved the cold and joined this rally to protect public services in the North.