This afternoon the Labour Relations Board decided against granting CUPE 1949’s request for an injunction to stop Legal Aid Saskatchewan from being able to unilaterally amalgamate offices and lay off staff.
“Today we learned we were unsuccessful in our application,” said Meara Conway, CUPE Local 1949 Grievance Chair. “The failure to get this injunction was disappointing news but we always knew that winning this injunction would be very challenging.”
“It’s important for our members and our clients to know this has no bearing on the Unfair Labour Practice hearing, which the Labour Review Board noted should proceed on an expedited basis,” Conway added.
Legal Aid Saskatchewan provides legal services for the most vulnerable people in the province. The 150 CUPE members in CUPE Local 1949, representing legal aid lawyers and administrative staff, are fighting to preserve the organization from contracting out and threats of privatization.
The Legal Aid Commission is making changes that threaten the future of this vital public service by laying off 6 full-time staff in Saskatoon, eliminating 3 lawyer positions and replacing in-person client contact with an impersonal call centre. Hundreds of files will be farmed out to private lawyers.
“We will continue to fight for our members and fight back against the Commission’s cuts. This attack on a vital public service will hurt Saskatchewan’s most vulnerable families,” said Conway.
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RELATED ARTICLES:
- The fight to preserve Legal Aid Saskatchewan
- CUPE Local 1949 worried about what changes to Legal Aid structure will mean for clients in Prince Albert
- Union for Saskatchewan Legal Aid staff fears for organization’s clients, amid lay offs and contracting out
RESOURCES:
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- Contact Minister of Justice Don Morgan to express concerns that Legal Aid Saskatchewan is being systemically undermined.