For more than 55 years, The Dome served as a mirror of the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union – chronicling our evolution, amplifying member voices and capturing the changing tides of worker concerns and union priorities.  

The origins of The Dome date all the way back to October 1927, when an introductory issue was released featuring a large question mark on the cover. The first editor, W.F. Kerr (then Commissioner of Publications for the provincial government), invited Association members to suggest a title. Two members – J.H. Lee Grayson and W. Stook – both submitted the winning name, The Dome, and were awarded $5 each. 

In its earliest decades, the publication reflected the Association’s identity as a social club. The content was light and community-driven: sporting events, department gossip, and announcements of retirements, births, engagements and marriages filled the pages. Jokes, poetry and a “Girls’ Section” offered entertainment, while education remained minimal.  

However, the landscape changed significantly in 1945 when the SGEU embraced unionization and collective bargaining. With this shift came a transformation in The Dome’s purpose and tone. Legal and labour terminology like “grievances,” “arbitration” and “affiliation” began appearing regularly, and the publication took on a more educational role.  

An editorial from 1963 addressed readers nostalgic for the old, more casual Dome, stating clearly: 

“The policy of The Dome is to strive to educate and entertain, but not the second at the expense of the first… The Dome must strive to educate always, and to entertain, if and when we can."

The format of The Dome evolved too. In 1972, the magazine-style layout was briefly replaced by a cost-effective newspaper format. But by 1974, it returned as a magazine, just as the SGEA was transitioning into a stronger, more militant union, ready to face the realities of inflation, wage controls, and tough contract negotiations. 

Throughout the 1970s, the magazine began tackling broader social and political issues. Topics such as workplace stress, technology's impact on labour, and the shifting role of women in the workplace took centre stage. Letters to the editor revealed healthy debate within the union, some welcoming change, others nostalgic for the past. In 1979, one issue of The Dome focused entirely on SGEU members in Northern Saskatchewan, underscoring the union’s growing recognition of its diverse membership and the need for inclusive representation. 

Over the decades, The Dome documented more than union business. It became a living archive, a treasure trove of collective struggles, achievements, debates, and transformation. From its early days of social updates to its later years of political commentary and education, The Dome remained a vital tool for building solidarity and advancing worker rights. 

Today, that tradition of member-focused communication lives on through Union Matters, SGEU’s online newsletter. Designed for a digital age, Union Matters provides up-to-date information on SGEU news, advocacy, bargaining updates, member stories and current events – delivered straight to members’ inboxes. It continues the legacy of keeping members informed, connected and engaged in the life of their union.  

From The Dome to Union Matters, our publications reflect the journey of SGEU – grounded in solidarity, shaped by change and always committed to supporting our members.  

Source: For Dignity, Equality and Justice. A History of The Saskatchewan Government Employees’ Union