CUPE brings anti-budget message to health minister

Around 40 members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees took a break from their annual convention in Gander to protest outside Health Minister John Haggie's office on Tuesday.

Lead by local president Wayne Lucas and national head Mark Hancock, the CUPE members brought a message to the Gander MHAabout his government's recent austerity budget.

"You have an opportunity here to do the right thing," Hancock said through a megaphone.

"You have the opportunity to stand up for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and oppose these cuts."

Leading the crowd on a short march to Haggie's office, Hancock rallied the demonstrators, talking about library cuts and affordable education.

"It may be three years till the next election," Hancock said.

"CUPE members and the rest of the people in Newfoundland and Labrador are not going to forget what you are doing in this budget.They are going to remember that at the ballot box."