It was losing her job that first got Jeannie Baldwin involved in the union movement.   Her position with the Department of Employment and Immigration was one of 10 that was affected by federal government downsizing at the time.  Baldwin went to her union, filed a grievance, and was able to get her job back.

That experience inspired Baldwin to become more involved in union work.  Today, she is Regional Executive Vice President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, one of the country's largest unions.

Tomorrow, Baldwin will be speaking on a panel at the State of Our Unions II.  Her talk will focus on how the recently released federal budget will affect government employees.

"Our government has a nice way of playing on its messages, pitting worker against worker, pensioner against pensioner, and small business against small business," she says.  "People do not yet realize the far reaching effects of this budget, and that everyone will be affected.

"We need to to discuss how our government keeps cutting essential services and recklessly spending at the same time," says Baldwin.

Given that $5.3 billion will be taken from programs and services, Baldwin says that it doesn't matter if you're unemployed, a senior citizen, a veteran, or simply an individual using health care services - the budget will affect you.

"We need to discuss how important it is to stay strong and remain united," she continues.  "Solidarity is in the heart, and it is the foundation of the labour movement."

You can catch Jeannie Baldwin speaking about the far-reaching effects of the federal budget at the upcoming State of Our Unions panel discussion (part 2!) on April 12 from 6:30 - 9:00 at Just Us! Coffee House, 5896 Spring Garden Rd.