Latest information
Provincial Strike Information Line: 1.866.614.5290 ext 296
In Regina: 522-8571 ext 296
Photo gallery
Update for February 2
The strike is over! The PS/GE Negotiating Committee and government reached agreement today on a return-to-work protocol that will see the 1,340 members still on the picket lines back on the job by Monday, February 5.
The agreement ends a 44 day strike that saw more than 1,800 members from Corrections, Environment, Highways, Justice, SPM and Finance off the job.
"We're happy to be able to report that we reached an agreement to settle the strike," said Barry Nowoselsky, chair of the PS/GE Negotiating Committee. "One of our primary concerns is the safety of our workers when they go back to work, especially in the correctional facilities. The return-to-work protocol should ensure a safe return and, we hope, help to re-establish and maintain cordial relations with management."
PS/GE Strike Committee
Ron Holaday, Sandy Evanovich, Jason Rattray(Chairperson), Norma Sheldon, Herb Norton, Cindy Howden & Tim McKay
Strike payroll workers
A lot of work goes into organizing and conducting a strike with many people doing very important jobs. One of the most important jobs is making sure striking workers get paid on time. These women, from left to right, Rene Duffield, Jo Anne Seib, Donna Maier, Kristal Bonilla and Sandy Moriruik, are a few of the workers who spent many long days inputting payroll data for over 4,000 members to ensure accurate and prompt payment for those members on the lines and in preparation for other work units being taken off the job.
Doin' the Solidarity Walk
Video
Latest News From the Picket Lines
Strike Flash January 23
Strike Flash January 24
Strike Flash January 25
Strike Flash January 26
Strike Flash January 29
Strike Flash January 30
Strike Flash January 31
Strike Flash February 1
Strike Flash February 2
In the photo, Jason Rattray is hard at work while Norma Sheldon writes another of the daily Strike Flashes.
Solidarity Picket - Saskatoon
PS/GE Local 1102 in Saskatoon organized a solidarity picket with striking SGEU members on Tuesday, January 23 from 12 noon - 1:00 p.m. at the Cabinet Office, 315-22nd Street East, Saskatoon. Members of the Alberta Union of Public Employees, pictured right, made the long trek to be with SGEU members for the day.
Management's highway contingency plan fails - SGEU workers take over
At 3:00 p.m. January 9, SGEU announced that all striking Highway workers would return to work, starting at 6 p.m. A full contingent will be on the job by January 10.
The government previously assured the public that they had a contingency plan in place to deal with any walkout by Highways workers. The union issued a news release on December 22, 2006 notifying the government and the public that Highway crews would remain on the job over the holiday season, giving the government 2 weeks notice of possible strike action. The workers walked off the job at the end of the holiday season but the government’s contingency plan could not adequately deal with the severe winter storm that swept through the province yesterday. After numerous accidents with the sophisticated snow clearing equipment driven by managers and the need to ensure public safety, the union offered to have the operators and shop employees return to work today.
Photo: Truck rolled by manager.
New picket line protocol
Because the government is using scabs in youth detention facilities and adult correctional centres, SGEU has implemented a new picket line policy, effective January 3, 2007.
Barricades will now be set up at all entrances to the facilities. RCMP vehicles and inmates’ lawyers are allowed to cross the picket line with no delays. All other vehicles will be stopped. If a vehicle contains out-of-scope managers in executive government, the vehicle will be allowed to cross the line. If the occupants of a vehicle are not known to picketers, a picket captain is to ask the driver and occupants for their names and the nature of their business at the facility. If occupants identify themselves as managers currently employed by government and provide identification, they may pass. If they do not provide identification, they are not to cross the picket line. Current or retired in-scope employees of any government department are to be turned away as they are being used as replacement workers.
Picket Line Protocol
Strike Information
For answers to common questions, or to ask a question, click here.
Two questions the Strike Committee is often asked:
Q: If a unit in my department is on strike, can my employer assign other in-scope employees to do their work?
A: No, that is considered crossing a picket line.
Q: If I work in a building where other members of my bargaining unit are on strike and are picketing my building, can I go in to work?
A: Yes, but you should find the picket captain, identify who you are and where you work, and ask for a picket pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Strike Pay
Electronic Funds Transfer Form
Strike Pay Information
Local Strike Committees
For information about happenings in your area, names of picket captains or for answers to your questions, contact your Local Strike Committee.
Local Strike Committees
Strike Committees
The Provincial Strike committee has been formed and continues to set up local strike committees around the province to prepare for possible strike action.
Roles and Responsibilities
Be strike-ready: pay stubs and holidays
In preparation for possible strike action, permanent full-time members are being asked to photocopy their last 2 pay stubs, and permanent part-time, term and labour service employees are being asked to collect their last 4 pay stubs. If you do not have them, please contact payroll and ask for copies. You will need to provide these to the picket captains on your first day of picketing. We also encourage anyone with holidays booked to prepare their timesheet accordingly and submit them to payroll immediately.
STRIKE NEWS ARCHIVES............................................................................
Below are previous updates, strike flashes, news releases and bargaining reports.
Strike flash - on the picket line
As the strike progresses, information is made available to strikers on the picket lines. Here are some of the updates.
Strike Flash December 23
Strike Flash December 24
Strike Flash December 25
Strike Flash December 26
Strike Flash December 27
Strike Flash December 30
Strike Flash December 31
Strike Flash January 2
Strike Flash January 3
Picket line protocol
Strike Flash January 4
Strike Flash January 5
Strike Flash January 6 & 7
Strike Flash January 8
Strike Flash January 9
Strike Flash January 10
Strike Flash January 11
Strike Flash January 12
Strike Flash January 13
Strike Flash January 14
Strike Flash January 15
Strike Flash January 16
Strike Flash January 17
Strike Flash January 18
Strike Flash January 19
Strike Flash January 22
Strike Flash January 23
Update for January 31
The Negotiating Committee held a conference call with Bargaining Council today to provide an update on their meeting with government. The Negotiating Committee had asked to meet yesterday with government negotiators to clarify some of Vince Ready's recommendations. Bargaining Council today agreed to accept Mr. Ready's recommendations and take those recommendations to the membership for a vote. Membership meetings will be held throughout the province in the next few weeks. Watch the mail for a “Report on Bargaining” with the meeting times and dates.
The Negotiating Committee will begin to negotiate a return-to-work protocol for striking workers with the Public Service Commission. Workers currently off the job will remain on the picket line until the return-to-work protocol has been finalized.
Update for January 30
The PS/GE Negotiating Committee met with government this morning in an attempt to clarify the government’s interpretation of some of Vince Ready’s recommendations. The Negotiating Committee will now inform Bargaining Council about the discussion and consult about the future course of action. More information will be made available to members following the consultation.
Update for January 29
The union replied to Vince Ready's recommendations today by requesting a meeting with government. Several of the recommendations submitted by Ready call for direct negotiation between the two parties. SGEU notified Mr. Ready today that it would like to meet with government in an attempt to resolve these outstanding issues. Barry Nowoselsky, chair of the PS/GE, indicated that he could not take Ready’s recommendations to the membership without knowing the meaning and ramification of some of the recommendations.
Update for January 26
Glenn Hagel, chair of the cabinet committee on public sector compensation, announced today that cabinet has accepted mediator Vince Ready’s recommendations to settle the 26 day SGEU strike. The recommendations were sent to both parties on Wednesday, January 24. Upon receipt of the recommendations, SGEU indicated to Mr. Ready that the union would not be in a position to provide a response until after Bargaining Council had an opportunity to review the document. A response is expected on Monday, January 29.
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