Talks between the Regina Public School Board and CUPE Local 3766 have broken down, and the local has filed for an impasse.

The local has been bargaining for over two years. Progress at the bargaining table has stalled, despite a strong 95 percent strike mandate from the local.

“We presented a fair deal to our employer that reflected our beliefs. It is disappointing that our employer continues to refuse to remove their bargaining concessions,” said Jackie Christianson, president of CUPE Local 3766. “It is our hope that a meeting with the mediator will happen, and we will be able to reach a fair deal with our bargaining efforts.”

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CUPE Local 777-2 has served written notice to the Town of Tisdale and the Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety that the Union and the Town have reached an impasse in the current round of negotiations.

“The current round of negotiations has been challenging. It has been difficult to get the Employer to devote adequate time to negotiating, and they have shown little interest in discussing any of our proposals,” said Janice Janzen, CUPE National Servicing representative. “In order to reach a deal in a timely matter, we initiated a voluntary mediation process. However, after less than one hour of mediation it was clear we had reached an impasse.”

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Members of CUPE 5512 have voted with a 71 percent majority to ratify a new collective agreement with Prairie South School Division.

“We want to thank all of our members for staying strong and united through a difficult round of bargaining. The gains we made at the table would not have been possible without the strong strike mandate from our members and your ongoing support,” said Dale Smith, president of CUPE Local 5512.

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Members of CUPE Local 47 have voted for the second time to reject a tentative agreement with the City of Saskatoon.

Local 47, which represents 130 workers at Saskatoon’s meter shop, water, and wastewater treatment plants as well as environmental protection officers, conducted a ratification vote during the week of November 4, 2019. During this vote, the majority of members rejected the city’s offer.

The local has been without a contract since January 1, 2017 and is the only city bargaining unit still negotiating for this time period.

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Guest speaker: Wes George

Delegates to CUPE Saskatchewan’s Aboriginal Conference 2019 heard from a guest speaker born and raised in Saskatchewan with first-hand experience in the development and adoption of the United National Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) . Wes George (Kaskitew Wikihew Kapapamahat) was born in Whitewood, Saskatchewan and now resides on the Ochapowace Reserve on Treaty 4 territory, working for over 29 years at the United Nations with extensive involvement around UNDRIP, along with involvement in the Final Report of the International Treaty Study and a co-chair of the Global Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus that negotiated the development of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples among the many highlights in his career so far.

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Guest speaker: Brenda Dubois

“If you’re doing it in my space, it is my business,” said guest speaker Brenda Dubois about tackling racism.

Dubois is the Kokum at the University of Regina Aboriginal Student Centre and spoke to delegates of CUPE Saskatchewan’s Aboriginal Conference 2019 about the benefits of intercultural and inter-generational exchange to strengthen our workplaces and communities.

“Be gracious with the life you have,” encouraged Dubois.

Dubois encouraged delegates to focus on building respectful, caring relationships.

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Newly elected CUPE Saskatchewan Aboriginal Council, from left to right: John McDonald (CUPE Local 4195); Rhonda Akan (CUPE Local 3766); Chyanna Goodwin (CUPE Local 8443); Absent from picture: Jillian Seeback (CUPE Local 5430).

Delegates of the CUPE Saskatchewan Aboriginal Conference elected two new members to the provincial Aboriginal Council on November 8, 2019 in Regina, each for a two-year term ending in 2021. Congratulations to Rhonda Akan (CUPE Local 3766 – Employees of Regina Public Schools) and Chyanna Goodwin (CUPE Local 8443 – Employees of Saskatoon Public Schools).

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Newly established CUPE CBO Workers of Saskatchewan Sector Committee first elected executive, left to right: Randy Lange (Local 3680); Chantelle Norman (Local 3680); Tacey Goodsman (Local 3364); Brenda McLennan (Local 4449); Annette Welsch (Local 3370); Melissa Marshall (Local 4552); Angie Pawliw (Local 3364).

CBO Workers’ Appreciation Day in Saskatchewan was marked by a historic meeting in Regina to build union strength with the establishment of a new committee to enhance sector-wide solidarity in addressing the challenges workers face in the sector that provides child care, social care and vocational training for people living with disabilities, and community services such as shelters and additions treatment through multiple agencies in various cities and towns. There are approximately 31 CUPE Local Unions across Saskatchewan in the community-based organizations (CBO) sector.

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Members of CUPE Local 600 have voted by an overwhelming 94 per cent to take job action up to and including a full withdrawal of services.

CUPE Local 600 represents close to 385 social and central service workers across the province who help deliver frontline care and support to Saskatchewan’s most vulnerable people.

The two main issues at the bargaining table are wages and hours of work.

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CUPE Local Unions in the CBO Sector have received notice of a founding meeting to establish a sector committee from among CUPE Local Unions. The meeting will be held on November 5 to 6, 2019 in Regina.

There are approximately 31 CUPE Local Unions across Saskatchewan in the community-based organizations (CBO) sector. By joining together in a CBO Sector Committee, locals in this sector can coordinate campaigns, participate in political action on shared goals and initiatives, and act as a united voice at a provincial level.

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