Jerry Earle vows 'more assertive' NAPE with him as president

After being elected as the new president of NAPE on Tuesday, Jerry Earle declared a new direction for the union — one that will be more aggressive in representing its members.

Earle clinched the victory by 663 votes, defeating Carol Furlong, who had been at the helm of NAPE for a decade.

Following his victory Tuesday night, Earle said he's ready to fight for the union's 24,000 public and private sector workers.

"I believe that we haven't been assertive enough," he said.

"Governments are going to have to get prepared that we are not going to be complacent."

He also said he will be more assertive in dealing with some of the forces working against the public sector, especially with regards to privatization.

- Privatizing some public services on the table for budget: Paul Davis

- Carol Furlong says privatization would be 'fiscally and morally' irresponsible

When asked what his first priority will be as leader, Earle said it would be opening up the party so members and the leadership can better communicate.

"We have a communication issue in our union that we have to fix, so members can be engaged and get feedback on what they can expect their union to do."

Earle thanked Furlong for her service, but said he plans to take NAPE in a different direction.

"I just want to say thank her for her service. She had a certain style and it worked in certain areas, but I believe right now the members want to see a union that's going to be standing up when we hear about privatization," he said.

"There are four or five groups that have been privatized and we need to be more assertive in the approach."