Labour groups rally against cuts, privatization at Confederation Building

Labour groups helda rallyat Confederation Building Tuesday afternoonto protest measures introduced in last week'sbudget,including public sector cuts and privatizationof services.

And they weren't quiet about it.

Along with chants and speeches from union leadership and opposition was a musical soundtrack, including the likes of Twisted Sister, Rage Against the Machine and Public Enemy.

"Our public sector is not for sale,"Mary Shortall, president of the Federation of Labour, said to a cheering crowd. "Our public services are not for sale."

The governing Tories will eliminate more than 1,400public service jobs over the next five years, largely through attrition.

• Unions condemn Paul Davis's long-term care bed plan

As well, in a pre-budget announcement, government said it will collaborate withprivate and non-profit partners to open 360 long-term beds around the province.

Unions have taken sharp aim against both moves, with incoming NAPE president Jerry Earlevowing a labour fight over what he called a "privatizationagenda."

"Let me tell this government, and any future government,publicservicesare not for saleandwe will fight youtoothand nail," Earle said to a chanting crowd.

Earle said the provincial government didn't bother to consultwith frontline workers before deciding to cut jobs and privatizelong-term care.

'Settled in an election campaign'

Amid chants for an NDP government, Liberal MHA Eddie Joyce vowed that if his caucus was elected in, there would be no privatizationof health care services.

"Together we can make a difference," Joyce urged the crowd.

NDP Leader Earle McCurdy was met with cheers as he reached the podiumand proceeded to slamthe Tory government's financial record.

"When there was smokecomingout of West Block yesterday, does that mean we'regettinga new premier?" McCurdy joked, comparing Monday's fire at Confederation Building to the process of selecting a new pope.

"A government in its dying days has no business implementing that kind of change without going to the people first."

McCurdyvowed his party will not privatize any services if it'svoted to governmentinthe upcoming provincial election.

He added the issues raised in last Thursday's budget can be "settled in an election campaign."