Today, members of Saskatchewan’s largest union – CUPE Saskatchewan – elected Kent Peterson as their new president.

“I want to thank my fellow CUPE members for their support. They know I will fight like hell for Saskatchewan workers,” said Kent Peterson, president of CUPE Saskatchewan. “Scott Moe has been cutting and selling-off public services for years. That’s why medical wait times are out of control. It is why kids don’t have enough EAs in school. It is why wages aren’t keeping up. The workers I represent have had enough.”

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Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) Executive Vice-President Larry Rousseau warmed up the convention crowd at the CUPE Saskatchewan 2024 convention with the singing of the familiar union anthem, “Solidarity Forever!”. Rousseau’s greetings to delegates in Saskatchewan from the labour movement’s national body uniting all of Canada’s unions: with solidarity, we can build a better and fairer future. It can be done.

“Organizing,” said Rousseau, “is more than just signing union cards. It’s political action, solidarity, and community building. Decision makers should be looking out for the most vulnerable, but conservative governments try to distract and divide us instead. We know that if we work together; we can guarantee a better future. We need everybody. It can be done,” said Rousseau.

Rousseau highlighted that Saskatchewan, and all of Canada are facing many crises; from the affordability crisis, crisis in healthcare, housing, and more. All these crises can be dealt with if unions work together. His message was clear: “Moe has got to go!”

Larry reminded delegates that when conservatives governments want to shut down human rights commissions, they are coming after workers too. Corporations want conservative governments because they want to cut wages and get rid of unions. In this moment, with so many crises coming to a head, and elections coming up it is critical that we organize.

From Scott Moe to Pierre Poilievre, conservatives are looking to dismantle union power and workers rights. They cut spending on public services, cutting public sector jobs in the process, leaving workers out in the cold.

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SASKATOON – Today, Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) President Samantha Becotte brought greetings to CUPE’s annual convention. CUPE remains united with teachers to improve public education after years of Sask. Party government underfunding and cuts.

“Years of underfunding and cuts by the Sask. Party government have eroded school staffing levels, leaving children with complex needs, needing mental health supports and learning English as an additional language without critical support to help them succeed. The same working conditions that impact STF members also challenge CUPE members, and they are standing up together to fight for better support for educators and students” said Omar Murray, chair of CUPE Saskatchewan Education Workers Steering Committee.

“CUPE Saskatchewan was first out of the blocks in showing vocal support for our job action and for that I offer a deep and sincere thank you. Every person understands the importance of negotiating working conditions with your employer and the need to include contract language that protects the rights of working people. That’s all teachers are asking for; provisions on class size and classroom complexity that protect teachers and improve the quality of education provided to students – your children,” said STF President Samantha Becotte.

“Together, we are imagining a different province; a better Saskatchewan. That’s how this province will change,” added Becotte.

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Mark Hancock delivered a powerful message today to delegates at CUPE Saskatchewan’s annual convention in Saskatoon.

Acknowledging that workers are facing incredible challenges as they fight for wages that keep up with rampant inflation, defending human rights, and face the climate crisis head on, Hancock focused on CUPE’s power to make change, saying “As Canada’s biggest, strongest union, we have tremendous power – but we also have a tremendous responsibility.”

As conservative politicians seek to distract and divide workers by sowing hate and fear, unions have the opportunity and the responsibility to speak out and fight back, and CUPE has never shied away from that responsibility.

Hancock noted the clear political trends he has seen as CUPE’s National President. “When we elect New Democrats, federally and provincially, they invest in public services and in the workers that deliver them, and they stand up for workers’ rights and human rights,” said Hancock, “but everywhere New Democrats don’t hold power, those things are under attack.”

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CUPE Saskatchewan convention delegates were greeted by the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour President Lori Johb. The SFL, which represents over 100,000 unionized workers in Saskatchewan, has been instrumental in supporting CUPE members pushing back against Scott Moe’s attacks on public service workers.

Johb highlighted the rise in workplace hazards, especially in the education and health care sectors, are directly related to the Moe government’s underfunding, understaffing, and undermining public service workers. “Their attacks on public education, especially on teachers and other education workers, has directly resulted in assaults and harassment for workers in public schools. They don’t care about public education,” she said.

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Today, convention delegates welcomed President Judy Henley’s final report as President. In her report, she highlighted the significant and important work accomplished by CUPE members, locals, and leaders in 2023.

“It is an honour to be able to recognize the essential work of CUPE members as they continue to deliver vital public services in communities in every corner of our great province,” said Henley. “Now more than ever, we need to ensure we are bolstering and building up the public services Saskatchewan people rely on.”

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Following the release of a recent report from Saskatchewan’s Information and Privacy Commissioner, CUPE is calling on the Chinook School Division to adhere to the commissioner’s recommendations, stop stalling, and get back to the bargaining table.

Contract negotiations have stalled since the school division refused to provide out-of-scope salary information to CUPE 4754, representing school division support staff. When these records were sought through an access to information request, the division cited sections of The Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (LA FOIP) as rationale for withholding the information.

The Saskatchewan Information and Privacy Commissioner reviewed the request and in his Review Report 237-2023 found that the Chinook School Division had inappropriately applied sections of the act and recommended the release of the records in its entirety within 30 days. That deadline has passed, and the division has not adhered to the commissioner’s recommendations and released the records in full.

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The Prince Albert & District Community Service Centre Inc. (CSC) has announced that without additional financial support to cover growing inflationary pressures, they will be forced to eliminate evening and weekend paratransit services. Workers at CSC, members of CUPE 2182, are speaking out about the cuts.

CUPE is urgently calling upon the City of Prince Albert to recognize the critical importance of paratransit services and to provide the necessary funding to ensure their continuation. Failure to address this funding shortfall will not only deprive vulnerable members of the community of essential transportation but also undermine the city’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.

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Today, alongside Saskatchewan health care workers and CUPE’s National President Mark Hancock, CUPE 5430 released their new report, From Pay Cheque to Pay Cheque: The impact of the rising cost of living on health care workers.

The report summarizes the results of a survey of Saskatchewan health care workers on the impact of the cost-of-living crisis over the last two years. It demonstrates that inflationary pressures have had a devastating impact on the well-being and families of CUPE 5430 members. It also shows that wage growth among these health workers has not kept pace with the growth in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) over the last decade.

“These health workers are the backbone of Saskatchewan’s public health system. It is devastating to hear the challenges they face putting food on their tables and keeping the lights on,” said Mark Hancock, CUPE’s National President. “It is clear their wages aren’t reflecting their value in the health system. It is unacceptable.”

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February is Indigenous Storytelling Month. During the winter months, the tradition of storytelling is a cherished gift and important tradition to pass on knowledge from generation to generation, sharing culture, history, teachings, spirituality, and language. Let’s join together to celebrate, honour, and enjoy the rich tapestry of Indigenous cultures through the vibrant oral tradition of storytelling.

Click here for Events and Resources – Indigenous Storytelling Month 2024:

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