NB Update: Trump’s Trade War, Labour’s Fight Against Domestic Violence, CUPE 1190’s New Contract and More

On this edition of the NB Update, we bring you labour perspectives on U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war, the fight against intimate partner violence, collective bargaining victories, and more. This show is part of our ongoing Labour Update series.

Our guests include economist Jim Stanford, director of the Vancouver-based Centre for Future Work. Speaking with NB Media Co-op volunteer Lance Francis, Stanford described the “ultimate challenge” of Trump’s tariffs as an opportunity to push for Canadian economic independence from the United States. “That is going to be a big, historic challenge,” he said.

He also emphasized the need for stronger employment supports to help workers weather the crisis. Stanford suggested that a program similar to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, might be required again to prevent widespread financial hardship. “We’ve gotta stand together,” he said.

In addition, Stanford pushed back against calls for rapid development of oil, gas, and mineral projects, and criticized the push for public service cuts inspired by Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency. “The idea of cutbacks is absolutely wrong,” he added.

Organized Labour Combats Domestic Violence

This episode also features Tasha Salesse of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, who serves as the Vice President responsible for Women’s Issues with the NB Federation of Labour, and Jennifer Murray, Atlantic Regional Director of Unifor. Together, they are advocating for governments across the country to officially recognize intimate partner violence as an epidemic.

Salesse, a survivor of intimate partner violence, stressed that workplace safety planning is crucial. Both she and Murray called for an increase in paid domestic violence leave and outlined several other policy recommendations in an interview with Connor Kelly, NB Media Co-op volunteer and VP responsible for Young Workers with the NB Federation of Labour.

They also addressed the importance of holding employers accountable for workplace deaths and emphasized the need for unity in the face of the economic turmoil sparked by Trump’s trade war. “We need to rally around each other,” said Murray.

CUPE 1190 Wins Gains for Public Sector Workers

The episode wraps with insights from Jonathan Guimond, president of CUPE 1190, which represents 2,200 general labour and trades workers in New Brunswick’s provincial public service. Guimond spoke about the union’s newly ratified collective agreement, which followed an overwhelming strike mandate delivered last summer.

He explained that the new contract includes a $5 per hour wage increase over four years — a significant improvement over the percentage-based raise proposed by the previous government under Premier Blaine Higgs, which would have failed to keep up with inflation. “The average worker in CUPE 1190 earns around $25 per hour,” Guimond said, “but two-thirds of our members are closer to $20 per hour.”

For the first time in more than 20 years, workers also secured increased allowances for boots and tools. Under the new agreement, the annual boot allowance has risen from $100 to $175, while the tool allowance has gone from $250 to $375.

The NB Update is a collaboration between the NB Media Co-op and CHCO TV. This edition was produced and edited by NB Media Co-op staff reporter David Gordon Koch. Volunteers Lance Francis and Connor Kelly handled interviews, and Robert MacKay assisted with camera work. Many thanks to all of our guests. This reporting has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada, administered by the Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS).