Working together for Saskatchewan

The new Saskatchewan Party government has introduced two new Bills that all SGEU members should be concerned about. Bill 5, the Essential Services Act, and Bill 6, amendments to the Trade Union Act, strengthen the hand of employers at the expense of workers and our unions. Bill 5 gives enormous powers to employers to designate which of its employees are essential while Bill 6 amends the Trade Union Act so that employers can more easily coerce their employees during organizing drives.

Please find out more about these two bills and attend the rally on May 1.

May Day Rally Poster
Leaflet

Gabriel Dumont Institute Ratifies New Contract
Staff who work for Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI) have ratified a new collective agreement that includes significant improvements in sick leave and a 12 per cent wage increase over three years.

The workers, who provide education programs in campuses throughout the province, are members of the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union (SGEU).

"We are pleased to have achieved some of our key bargaining goals," said Bente Huntley, chair of SGEU's GDI bargaining committee.

The agreement provides for a one per cent increase in pension contributions, matched by the employer, a $1,000 signing bonus, and extends benefit coverage to some employees who previously were not fully covered.

As well, the new agreement standardizes hours of work for employees, thereby ensuring greater equity in the workplace.

GDI offers educational, vocational and skills training for Métis people in Saskatchewan in partnership with the province's universities, SIAST, and regional colleges.

May Day! May Day! A celebration of activism and resistance.

Kick off a summer of activism!
Meet people working for change!
Connect with local activist groups!
Shake off the lingering winter lethargy and dive headlong into action!

May Day celebration poster

Strike Alert
At 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 – 37 members of the United Steelworkers Local 5917-12, who work at Wheat City Metals in Regina, commenced strike action. Wheat City Metals is owned by Ipsco Incorporated.

Among the issues outstanding are pensions and wages. The workers believe that they are part of the reason Ipsco is doing well financially and should share in some of that wealth.The picket lines run from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The line is located on North Pasqua Street – West of Ipsco and North of #11 Highway to Saskatoon.

Join them on the picket line. Phone Ipsco asking them to reach an agreement. These workers need our support!

An injury to one is an injury to all!


Job Cuts in Sask. Party budget
The economic prosperity in Saskatchewan did not translate into a stable job environment in the public service. Despite a $1.3 billion surplus, the Saskatchewan Party government chose to abolish 83 jobs across government.

The job cuts in Education, Advanced Education, Employment and Labour as well as First Nations and Metis Relations will not help meet the needs of residents of rural Saskatchewan nor the needs of the labour market for the 21st century. “We are facing a crisis in the labour market and we need to intensify, not scale back our efforts in this area,” said SGEU President, Bob Bymoen.

News release

Uncertainty in Social Services
A new direction has been mapped out for the Ministry of Social Services but the details are not known to the employees yet. Social Services employees were called to meetings on Budget Day where changes were announced to the Income Assistance program but the impact of proposed changes is not certain.

“There was no prior notice to the union and no discussion with the union,” said Bob Bymoen, President of SGEU. “This is no way to manage a unionized workforce, especially one the size of Social Services. One of our major concerns is the impact on rural Saskatchewan as jobs are lost due to centralization.”

Meetings are planned with management and employees to clarify the timeframe for any changes and options for staff.



SGEU staff return to work
After a lengthy labour dispute, SGEU staff returned to work on March 12, 2008.


SGEU Election Guide
When Saskatchewan goes to the polls on November 7th, SGEU members will be asked to make some important choices - such as which political party supports quality public services. Quality public services make Saskatchewan a great place to live. They keep our families safe and healthy. They provide good jobs for Saskatchewan people, especially in rural areas. Protecting public services is a critical issue in this election.

SGEU has produced an election guide that outlines some of the issues that affect SGEU members. It offers some facts and potential questions to ask political candidates. The guide can help members sort through the information and advertisements of different political parties during the election campaign.

Watch for the guide to arrive in your mail. Be informed. Make the choices that make sense to you.
Election Guide

Safety a top priority for public liquor stores in Saskatchewan
The outcome of the November 7 provincial election could mean a drastic change in our province's ability to regulate liquor sales. Organizations representing business interests have been aggressively lobbying for the privatization of liquor stores in Saskatchewan. Losing control of liquor sales will result in more social harm and greater economic costs. Saskatchewan families and communities will face increased consumption, greater risk of liquor sales to minors, and more crime as a result of turning liquor retailing over to private businesses.

SGEU members are urged to question candidates from all political parties about their position on privatizing liquor sales. When a politician knocks on your door, ask whether they will commit to maintaining the current system of liquor sales in Saskatchewan.

Publicly-owned liquor stores
We're minding the store
Privatization


“We Have a Choice”
The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) launched its latest labour issues campaign, aimed at increasing awareness of the issues important to Saskatchewan working families.The issues that matter most to workers include:

- protection of our medicare system - publicly-funded and publicly-delivered
- a sustainable plan to develop our natural resources
- expansion of Crown Corporations to keep our utility bills low
- improved labour standards and good jobs - with benefits and pensions
- a province that builds on our social democratic tradition and protects our unique way of life.

Working men and women have a choice - ask political candidates where they stand on the issues.

Labour Issues Campaign

Cancer Agency members ratify new agreement
At membership meetings in early October, SGEU members of the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency ratified the tentative agreement reached in September. The new three year agreement calls for wage increases of 4% on January 1st of 2007, 2008 and 2009 as well as a $.50/hour increase applied to Step 5 in all pay bands, effective May 1, 2008. The new contract contains the same provisions for extended hours as the previous contract. The SCA has not implemented the extended hours provision due to staff shortages. The Board of Directors for the SCA has since ratified the tentative agreement as well.



Cancer Agency workers reach tentative agreement
SGEU members at the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency reached a tentative agreement with SAHO late on September 26th. Membership meetings will be held in the next few weeks to review the contract provisions and provide an opportunity fo the membership to vote on the agreement.
News release

SGEU members attend NUPGE Leadership School
Three SGEU members attended this year’s NUPGE Leadership Development School at the Elmhirst Resort, north of Toronto from August 25 to 31. Each year, the school attracts elected officials and staff from NUPGE components across the country. Two international participants from unions in the UK and Australia took part this year, adding a different perspective to the discussions. Representing SGEU were George Marshall (Chair of the Workers’ Compensation Board Bargaining Unit), and Jason Rattray and Steve Kent (Public Service Sector, SGEU).
SGEU members attend NUPGE Conference

SGEU serves 48 hour strike notice to Sask. Cancer Agency
SGEU members for the Sask. Cancer Agency voted overwhelmingly in support of strike action at their membership meetings held in Regina and Saskatoon on September 18 and 19, 2007.

The major problem in negotiations is wage parity with other health care workers. Three quarters of SCA employees earn 10-15% less than similarly qualified workers in the health regions. Registered nurses in the cancer centres receive a supplement to their base pay to keep their wages competitive with RNs who work in the hospitals. Radiation therapists also receive a supplement to increase their wages but they remain the second lowest paid in Canada and earn $15,000 less than therapists in Alberta.

The cancer treatment workers will be in legal strike position at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, September 22. Their contract expired December 31, 2006.

News release

Saskatchewan Cancer Agency conducts strike vote
SGEU members of the Sask. Cancer Agency will conduct a strike vote in Regina and Saskatoon on September 18 and 19. The vote follows the defeat in June of the tentative agreement reached at the bargaining table in May. All members are encouraged to attend the membership meetings and cast their vote.

For background information, check out Report on Bargaining May 2007
Report on Bargaining August 2007

DCR employees present workplace concerns to Minister
Staff in the Department of Community Resources met with Minister Kevin Yates to present a list of their workplace concerns to him. The employees, represented by Connie Symchuk, Debbie Kvamme, Arol Honsey, Darwin Delorme, Patricia Parenteau, Belle Moate, Suzanne Hehn, Mabel Litowski, along with SGEU Vice President Barry Nowoselsky, outlined the major problems facing workers in Community Resources:
- personal safety concerns and abuse
- need for a Respectful Workplace protocol
- the need for better, more consistent communication from managers about policy and program changes
- cumbersome and unfair hiring policies
- intrusive and inconsistent handling of leave requests
- inadequate training opportunities
- chronic workload problems (high staff turnover, inadequate cover-off, unfilled positions, increased paperwork requirements, lack of resources), and
- inadequate compensation.
Workplace Concerns in DCR

PS/GE collective agreement available
The collective agreement, covering the 2006-2009 time period, is now available. Members can check out our website for a copy or contact your steward, chief steward or Local Rep for a hard copy. If you have any questions, please call the PS/GE Negotiating Committee at 1-800-667-5221, ext.206.
PS/GE collective agreement

Health Providers Bargaining Unit election
A call for nominations for Bargaining Council has been issued by the Health Providers Bargaining Unit (made up of the Kelsey Trail, Keewatin Yatthé and Mamawetan Churchill River Regional Health Authorities). Members from each local may be nominated to represent Acute Care, Long Term Care, Community (includes Home Care and Community Services) and two Member-at-Large positions. Nominations close at 5:00 p.m. August 31, 2007.
Report on Bargaining

PS/GE dues increase
After extensive review by the PS/GE Negotiating Committee, the total cost of strike-related expenditures has been calculated and the strike repayment total finalized.

As outlined in the SGEU Strike Manual, each bargaining unit is required to repay all money expended on a strike, other than the picket line stipend of $50.00 per day for members who reported for picket line duty. The amount each member repays is based on a percentage of his/her current gross salary. The money borrowed from the Defense Fund must be repaid within an 18 month period. SGEU has notified government to increase dues for public service members by 1.2% for the next 18 months. The increase in dues from 1.5% to 2.7% is a temporary measure and commenced with the June 24 - July 7 pay period. SGEU will track the amount being paid back and reduce the payback period if possible.

Please refer to the PS/GE Report on Bargaining for more details. The report was mailed to all public service members in June.

Any questions regarding the payback assessment should be directed to the PS/GE Negotiating Committee at 1.800.667.5221, ext 206.
Report on Bargaining