NB Update #3: Pension law an ‘attack on free collective bargaining’ | Palestine flag-raising met with backlash in Miramichi [video]

On this edition of the show, we examine a new law that forces thousands of unionized public sector workers into so-called “shared risk” pensions.

Daniel Légère, president of the NB Federation of Labour, says the Higgs government’s legislation is a concern for unions across the country, since it overrides signed collective agreements.

He described the legislation as practically unprecedented in New Brunswick.

“We haven’t really seen anything like this since 1991, when Premier Frank McKenna broke signed collective agreements with the workers in the province.”

We also look at the war in the Gaza. In Miramichi, activists from The ‘Chi for Peace raised the flag of Palestine on Dec. 2 in solidarity with civilians, particularly children, killed in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.

While activists called for peace, some residents saw the Palestinian flag as an “indication of support” for Hamas, according to the city, which now plans to review its flag protocol.

In an interview, Niger Saravia, a member of The ‘Chi for Peace, rejected that interpretation and renewed calls for a ceasefire.

“There is a narrative around the world that is pushing people to believe that the Palestinian flag has something to do with Hamas,” he said.

“The Palestinian flag represents a country. It does not represent a political party. It does not represent a military group. It does not represent any religious group. It represents the people of Palestine.”

The NB Update is a collaboration between the NB Media Co-op and CHCO TV.

David Gordon Koch is a journalist with the NB Media Co-op. This reporting has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada, administered by the Canadian Association of Community Television Stations and Users (CACTUS).