CUPE calls on tourism minister to reverse reduction in working hours for some park employees

The Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture is being urged to rethink a reduction inworkers' hours inthe tourism sector this coming season.

CUPE Local 1190, which represents about 550 workers, spoke to reportersin Fredericton on Thursday to address the impact it says thesecuts in hours and the length of the tourism season will have on itsmembers.

"We believe this short-sighted decision is going to negatively impact our provincial tourism sector, but it's also going to have a dire effect on the livelihoods of the hundreds of people who bring our parks and attractions to life," said unionLocal 1190president Jonathan Guimond.

"To add insult to injury, while her decisions take food off of our members' tables, this minister is living it up on the New Brunswick taxpayers' dime in Europe," he said.

Guimond said many of the workers who operate provincial parks and attractions across the province have been doing so for more more than20 years as casual workers anddo not receive benefits.

He said the cost ofTourism Minister Tammy Scott-Wallace's recent European trip is the equivalent of 2,000 additional hours for workers inthe tourism sector.

Guimond said some parks are facing a reduction in hours, while others will endure a shorter season.

"It doesn't allow us the ability to maintain the parks so there would be a future for parks in New Brunswick," said Guimond.

WATCH | 'What kind of value did we get from that trip?'

Tourism ministers European trip source of contention for CUPE

4 months ago

Duration 1:15

President of CUPE New Brunswick says the cost of Tammy Scott-Wallaces trip to Europe would have been better spent on struggling N.B. tourism operators and their employees.

Scott-Wallace responded to the union at the legislature Thursday.

She said Kings Landing, near Fredericton is the only site thatwill be impacted by cuts this coming season.

Scott-Wallace said Kings Landing staff will see a reduction of their working hours, "because Kings Landing is going to seven days a week, which has meant a slight change in the week."

She alsosaid the Acadian Historical Village wouldsee reduced fall hours, but on Friday, a department spokesperson said Scott-Wallace had been given incorrect information, and hours would not be reduced at the site.

"That is not the standard across the province. We're more successful than ever at our parks so therefore our hours are not being reduced," said Scott-Wallace.

When asked by reporters about the difference between what the government is saying andthe information provided by CUPE, Scott-Wallace seemed to suggest the union is posturing.

"I'm not sure what CUPE is doing in itsmessaging. I mean, certainly we know that they're in negotiations at this point so they're using, you know, they're taking an opportunity today to have a press conference and share their voice and they are certainly in their right to do that."

'Causing a lot of anxiety' for workers

In the case of Kings Landing, the park will remain open for the entire length of its usual season,from June 1 to Thanksgiving weekend, and its operating hours will expand to seven days per week, but weekly hours for each staff member will reduce to 31.5 from last year's 36.75.

Hours for staff at the park have been reduced annually since 2019, when workers received 40 hours per week.

Mike Bravener, a performer at the park since 2018,said workers at the park are now expected to follow a staggered system introduced this year, where they work two days on and two days off, whichlowerstheir overall working time per week.

"Over the fast few yearsour working conditions have changed," said Bravener."Our talented staff are now tired, they're finding it difficult to make the park come alive," he said.

Bravener said despite the reduction in staff and theirhours of work, the park is returning to its pre-pandemic schedule and will operate seven days a week for the first time in four years.

"It's confusing because the site is returning to a full seven-day-a-week attraction and with the reduction of hours, this is causing a lot of anxiety," said Bravener.

He said a concern for many of the employees is making sure they get enough hoursto qualify for unemployment benefitsduring the off-season.

The Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture did not respond to CBC's request for specific details on these reductions.

The department hasa budget of $80 million this year, representing a 7.4 per cent increase from the previous fiscal year.