“The employer is coming after a long-standing retirement benefit, pushing a wage freeze in the first two years of the agreement, and trying to divide us by offering deals that hurt some of us more than others,” said Dave Stevenson, CUPE national representative. “The message we heard from our membership was loud and clear. We are standing united against these concessions and miniscule wage offers. We deserve and demand more respect than the employer has been showing us.”
Strike mandate from CUPE Local 3766 sends strong message to Regina Public School Board: education support workers are worth more
Education support workers in the Regina Public School Division have voted 95 per cent in favour of job action. The local has been bargaining for over two years, and little progress has been made.
“The Regina Public School Board continues to push concessions that will hurt our members,” said Jackie Christianson, president of CUPE Local 3766. “They are attacking our health and dental benefits, our severance/retirement gratuity, and trying to limit our ability to present grievances to the Board of Trustees.”
CUPE 1975 reaches tentative deal with University of Saskatchewan
Support workers at the University of Saskatchewan who have been working without a contract since 2015 reached a tentative agreement with the administration today.
“This deal has been a long time coming but, in the end, we were able to come an agreement that serves our members now and, in their future,” said Craig Hannah, President of CUPE Local 1975. “After seeing very little movement for so long, we were glad the university agreed to our request to come back to the table this week. We were even happier when they agreed to move toward a deal.”
Workers at Saskatoon Water and Waste-Water Treatment plants vote to reject offer from the city
Members of CUPE Local 47 have voted to reject the City of Saskatoon’s latest contract offer.
Local 47, which represents 130 workers at Saskatoon’s Meter Shop, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants, and Environmental Protection Officers, conducted a two day ratification vote on June 24th and 26th. During this vote, 93% of members rejected the City’s offer.
Workers’ rights held up by Essential Services Tribunal
The University of Saskatchewan has lost their battle to take the right to strike away from hundreds of workers on campus. That was the result of a ruling released today by the Essential Service Tribunal between CUPE Local 1975 and the University of Saskatchewan.
“This ruling is more proof that the university needs to stop talking out of both sides of their mouths,” said Craig Hannah, President of CUPE Local 1975 which represents over 2,000 support workers at the university. “At the tribunal they argued that hundreds of people should lose their Charter rights because their work is ‘essential.’ Meanwhile, at the bargaining table, they’re showing how little they really value these workers and the important contribution they make to the campus and everyone here.”
This tribunal was the first time the Sask. Party’s newest essential services legislation was fully tested. The university had asked for over 250 positions to be declared essential. Instead, the ruling included just over 40.
Saskatchewan government grinds talks with care workers to an impasse
(Moose Jaw) Instead of working to come to an agreement, the government has allowed negotiations between the Public Service Commission and CUPE Local 600 to come to an impasse. The union represents close to 385 Social Services and Central Services workers across the province who help to deliver frontline care and support to the most vulnerable people in Saskatchewan. The local has been without a collective agreement for almost two years.
Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day: June 21, 2019
National Indigenous Peoples Day is an annual opportunity to honour and celebrate the diverse cultures of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. On June 21, Indigenous peoples will be celebrating in their communities, and graciously sharing their ceremonies, customs and heritage with people across the country.
- In Estevan, join us for a Community BBQ with free food and entertainment. *Rain location Estevan Curling Rink* from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- In Saskatoon, join us for the Rock Your Roots Walk. Meet up with the CUPE group at 9 a.m. at Victoria Park. Walk departs at 9:30 a.m.
Legal Aid workers file for impasse as employer refuses to move forward
After two years of attempting to negotiate with an employer that has been stalling and demanding significant concessions, CUPE Local 1949, which represents the more than 130 lawyers and administrative staff who work at Saskatchewan Legal Aid offices across the province advised the Minister of Labour that negotiations have reached an impasse.
NDP education survey an important step toward fixing education in Saskatchewan
CUPE is proud to support the Brighter Future education survey launched by Saskatchewan’s NDP yesterday.
“This survey will amplify the voices of students, families, and the people who work in and around Saskatchewan’s schools and help to lay out the roadmap to rebuilding the education system,” said Jackie Christianson, Chairperson of the CUPE SK Education Workers Steering Committee. “While the government is ignoring the facts, we’re happy to see the NDP is listening to not only hear the problems but also build the solutions.”
Support workers represented by CUPE confirm new forward-looking deal with Moose Jaw Police Board
A new ratified agreement between the Moose Jaw Board of Police Commissioners and workers represented by CUPE takes important steps forward and extends through 2020.
“Although our members don’t patrol the streets, they are an integral part of the Moose
Jaw Police Service. We take pride in the work they do to help keep Moose Jaw safe,”
said Stacey Landin President of CUPE Local 9, which represents police support
workers in Moose Jaw. “Sask. Party cuts to municipalities are still hurting all services
but the pay increases we were able to get are a good start.”