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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As CUPE’s request to present at the Regina Public School Board meeting on September 24, 2019 was denied, workers and supporters instead protested outside to make their concerns about bargaining known to trustees: Concessions for School Workers are Rotten! Click here to view the full photo album from Tuesday.

What’s the issue? The Regina Public School Board’s trustees have given themselves a huge raise amounting to over $6,200 each this year alone, while instructing school workers at the bargaining table to take cuts to their benefits, pay and remove any requirement in the union contract for trustees to hear the concerns of workers.

Education support workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Locals 650 and 3766 only want a living wage, decent benefits, and a fair deal for a new contract so they can take care of the needs of our students, classrooms and school buildings. So far, trustees are only interested in ignoring support workers and endorsing their administration’s rotten demand for school workers to take concessions.

Parents are asked to join in expressing concern to their local trustee. Protect the support education workers provide students each and every school day. Tell your elected school board trustee: education workers are not worth less!

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After three days of voting in over 15 communities, CUPE Local 5512 members who work for the Prairie South School Division have voted overwhelmingly (89%) to reject the Employer’s final offer.

“This is a clear message that our members are standing united to demand a fair deal,” said Dave Stevenson, CUPE National Representative. “The current offer on the table is inadequate, and we hope that the Prairie South School Division is listening.”

Earlier this year members of the local voted 95.7% in favour of moving forward with job action, up to and including a full withdrawal of services. The local is not currently in a legal strike position, and both parties have agreed to keep working with the provincially appointed mediator.

The main issues are wages and the Employer’s proposed change to the Long Service Recognition Benefit.

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CUPE members rally in front of the Regina Public School Board office on September 3, 2019

Over 100 education support workers started the school year off by taking a stand at the Regina Public School Board meeting.

Members and supporters of CUPE Locals 3766 and 650 held an information picket to demand a fair deal for education workers.

Both locals have been bargaining for over two years and both locals have received strong strike mandates from their members. The main issues are the Employer’s concessions, including a two-year wage freeze and paltry wage increase in years three to five.

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Workers at Saskatoon’s CBI Health Group have voted overwhelmingly to join the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

CBI Health Group is a Canada-wide community health care provider which operates several residential and transitional care homes in Saskatoon. The new bargaining unit will cover almost 200 employees who work in Saskatoon as childcare workers, community support workers, licensed practical nurses and homemakers.

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Canadian Lawyer’s Top 25 Most Influential 2019 winner, Meara Conway. Photo credit: Canadian Lawyer Magazine.

Legal Aid Saskatchewan staff lawyer and CUPE Local 1949 Vice-President, Meara Conway, has received professional recognition for her contributions to community advocacy as Canadian Lawyer’s Top 25 Most Influential in 2019, in the Government/Non-profits/Associations category.

The Top 25 Most Influential list is published annually by Canadian Lawyer magazine for the past 10 years. This year’s Top 25 Most Influential were chosen from among 149 nominees and determined by the votes of more than 6,000 lawyers across the country. The list highlights lawyers who have made an impact over the past 18 months to either influence public opinion, earn the respect of their peers or contribute to the strength and quality of legal services.

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After 25 bargaining sessions that took place over the course of two years, Legal Aid workers with CUPE Local 1949 have signed a tentative agreement.

“This is not just good news for our members, it’s a major victory for our most vulnerable citizens, who rely on legal aid services in Saskatchewan,” said Wanda Towstego, president of CUPE Local 1949. “Our bargaining committee fought tirelessly to bring this about, and we are hopeful that our members will support this deal.”

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