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Working together for Saskatchewan |
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President's Page 
 It’s the economy Who would have guessed one year ago that we would be facing a major recession - even here in prospering Saskatchewan? Almost all of our collective agreements are up for re-negotiation this year and the shape of the economy and legislation undermining our political rights has a direct impact at the table. In the Harper government’s November economic statement, the Finance Minister indicated the government would ban the right to strike in the federal public service, terminate hearings on pay equity complaints going to the Canadian Human Rights Commission and eliminate the democratic funding of our political system. What we were hoping for was a serious plan to deal with the collapsing economy. I thank our national union, NUPGE, for the important role it played in challenging the federal government and getting Prime Minister Harper to back off many of his government’s regressive positions and begin to address the economy in a serious way. History shows that when the private sector runs into problems, the public sector has an important role in stabilizing and rebuilding an economy that works for all of us. An attack on public services undermines any program of recovery. A convention to build uponOur much delayed annual convention is scheduled for April 15-17 in Prince Albert. With this coming year a bargaining year, the convention should be a stepping stone for all of us to build the strength and solidarity our union needs. In the face of tougher economic times and the government’s essential services legislation, we must have all our bargaining units and sectors moving in the same direction. We are facing many more challenges this year than I anticipated but I am confident that together we can keep Saskatchewan working. In solidarity,Bob Bymoen President, SGEU |
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Copyright SGEU © 2005 |