Working together for Saskatchewan

President's Page

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

New EDO

I am pleased to welcome Dale Schmeichel to SGEU as the new Executive Director of Operations. Dale brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to assist us in all aspects of our work.

Dale has a distinguished career having served as the Chief Executive Officer of the South Country Health District, Provincial Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party and as Executive Director of the Communications Co-ordination Unit, Executive Council Department under former Premiers Romanow and Calvert. I look forward to working with Dale on the many challenges we have before us.

NUPGE takes SGEU’s case to ILO

On June 12, SGEU and NUPGE announced that a formal complaint was being filed with the International Labour Organization in Geneva, Switzerland over the Saskatchewan government’s Bill 5 (Essential Services) and Bill 6 (Trade Union Act). These two bills undermine worker’s rights in favour of employers and violate international standards established to protect workers. I am saddened that we need to take this step and will continue to urge Premier Brad Wall and his colleagues to begin serious consultations with the labour movement on these two bills.

Gearing up for the fall

I hope that our active members are able to enjoy some time off this summer because our fall schedule is full. Here are just some of the activities planned so far:

• SFL Occupational Health and Safety Conference Sept. 7-9
• October 7 -9 SGEU’s annual convention
• SIAST conference
• SFL convention Oct. 22-25
• Tri-union Health Region bargaining
• Tri-union CBO conference October 28-29
• Sector Annual General Meetings
• SGEU Women’s Conference

We anticipate our Health Sector bargaining to be particularly contentious. The pattern set by the nurses' union is one our health service provider units will be watching closely. The impact on our Cancer Agency members, currently in an agreement until 2009, is being determined.

Summer services

Our offices will continue to service members over the summer and I hope you all get to enjoy some time with your families. I will be heading out to my family farm near Swift Current and plan on coming back renewed for our busy fall.

In Solidarity,

Bob Bymoen