CUPE 2669, the union representing Saskatoon public library workers, are announcing they have issued a strike notice to the employer. They have given the employer five days to get back to the bargaining table with a deal offering wages that keep up with the rising cost-of-living and properly address mounting safety concerns in Saskatoon libraries.
November 6 is CBO Workers’ Appreciation Day, recognizing and celebrating the vital role of Community-Based Organizations (CBO) workers in Saskatchewan. CBO workers are at the heart of a network of care and supportive services for Saskatchewan people and the most vulnerable in our communities.
As the municipal election date approaches, a recent public survey by CUPE Saskatchewan captured the voices of 958 Prince Albert residents on their priorities for the next administration. The results indicate an overwhelming demand for crime reduction and heightened public safety measures, along with a strong critique of current leadership’s handling of local issues.
“This survey clearly reflects a need for stronger, more focused leadership in Prince Albert,” said Kent Peterson, president of CUPE Saskatchewan. “Residents are looking for real action on public safety, better management of resources, and quality municipal services. Greg Dionne has had 12 years to take action on these issues – it is time for change.”
A new report released this week reveals that for-profit health care contracts accompanied growing health care wait times, despite the provincial government having promised the opposite. The various private, for-profit strategies to reduce surgical and diagnostic wait times have not been effective, and it was through the significant investment in the public system which resulted in the most significant reduction in health care wait times.
CUPE health care workers are sounding the alarm on the ongoing crisis in rural health care across Saskatchewan. Recent emergency service closures in Redvers, Radville, Oxbow, Canora, Kerrobert, Fort Qu’Appelle, Wolseley, Broadview, Kamsack, Shellbrook, and Lanigan have left residents without critical access to care, underscoring what CUPE has long warned: rural health care is in crisis.
Today, CUPE 2669 representing Saskatoon public library workers are announcing they have voted to reject the tentative agreement offered by the employer. Members entered negotiations focused on improving health and safety measures and increasing wages to match the cost of living. The tentative agreement was rejected because it did not adequately address these concerns.
Today, Mark Hancock, CUPE’s National President was joined by CUPE Saskatchewan President Kent Peterson to release the results of provincial polling conducted this fall. It found that health care is the top issue for Saskatchewan people and will be the ballot box issue when voters go to the polls on October 28.
After over a year of bargaining and without notice, Deer Park Villa Inc., has notified the Minister of Labour that negotiations with CUPE 4552 have reached impasse. This unexpected action follows months of bargaining where the bargaining committee had to fight off concessions, secure hours of work, and fight for fair wages.
Today, CUPE Saskatchewan launched a new province-wide multimedia election advertising campaign. The campaign highlights Scott Moe’s broken promises, and the heath care crisis he created.
“Scott Moe broke our health care system – Saskatchewan has the worst wait times in Canada. Scott Moe has closed emergency rooms and health care centres across the province, and hospitals are bursting at the seams,” said Kent Peterson, president of CUPE Saskatchewan. “This provincial election is a health care election. It’s time to fix Scott Moe’s broken health care system. It’s time for a change.”
On the first full day of the provincial election campaign, CUPE health care workers delivered hundreds of postcards at the provincial legislature. The postcards were signed by health care workers during summer outreach across the province. Let’s make this a health care election!