On December 10, Human Rights Day, we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The landmark document enshrines the inherent dignity and rights of all human beings. The UDHR has served as the foundation for an expanding system of human rights protections, inspired many struggles for stronger human rights protections, and calls upon everybody to stand up for human rights. We all have a vital role in protecting and advancing human rights through activism. Solidarity for human rights: Freedom, Equality and Justice for All.

CUPE Saskatchewan reaffirms its commitment to stand in international solidarity with fellow workers and their unions for global justice that protects and advances human rights – including the fundamental right to join a union without fear and to collectively bargain, to bring an end to systemic and deep-rooted inequalities, and to organize and demand better for a more just economy against the growing crisis of affordability and poverty. We need an economy that invests in human rights, works for everyone, and assures human dignity and equal access to public services including affordable housing.

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December 6 is the 34^th anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre in Montreal where 14 women were singled out and murdered because of their gender. Among the 14 women who lost their lives in the tragedy was Maryse Laganière, a CUPE member who worked at the school. On the National Day of Remembrance and Action to End Violence Against Women, we honour and remember all those who have lost their lives because of gender-based violence and recommit to taking concrete action to end all forms of gender-based violence. Wear a white ribbon on December 6 as a symbol condemning violence against women and gender-based violence, observe a moment of silence, and attend a vigil in your community.

In Regina on Wednesday, December 6, 2023: Join the vigil beginning at 5:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Cathedral, located downtown at 1861 McIntyre Street. 

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CUPE 882 members representing the inside workers at the City of Prince Albert have voted 81% in favour of accepting the tentative agreement. The union will remain on strike until the city ratifies the agreement, and a return to work agreement has been negotiated.

Mira Lewis, CUPE National Representative said: “Despite the city’s mind games, we were able to reach a deal with real improvements for our members. These gains clearly show what we said in the beginning: if you sit down and talk with the union you can reach an agreement that works for both sides.”

Some highlights of the tentative agreement include:

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After over a decade of sounding the alarm on short-staffing, unfilled vacancies and the critical shortage of staff working in diagnostic care, CUPE condemns the inadequacy of the provincial government’s breast cancer diagnostic initiative.

“Shipping patients out of province does nothing to build provincial capacity. It will do little to provide solutions to the hundreds of other patients waiting for testing in every corner of this province,” said Bashir Jalloh, president of CUPE 5430 and a nuclear medicine technologist. “Health sector leaders have been calling on this government to address this crisis for years. Instead, they sat on their hands and have cooked up another out-of-province band-aid solution that will not go far enough to address the issue or help all those in need.”

Saskatchewan has the lowest wages in western Canada for medical technologists, compared to their counterparts in Alberta and Manitoba who make at least six dollars more an hour.

“We are not going to be able to recruit and retain staff without addressing workload and compensation,” added Jalloh. “This government’s only solution to health care waitlists is to send patients to private, for-profit companies that aren’t even based in Saskatchewan. It is unacceptable.”

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In light of ongoing short-staffing, unfilled vacancies and upcoming leaves among medical radiation technologists and nuclear medicine technologists, CUPE is calling for an immediate intervention from the Minister of Health to ensure staffing can be secured to avoid disruptions to diagnostic care.

“For over a decade, we have been sounding the alarm on behalf of our members that provide a vital service in the continuum of care,” said Bashir Jalloh, president of CUPE 5430 and a nuclear medicine technologist. “The government sat on their hands instead of addressing the issue. Now, as waitlists grow, we are at risk of more disruptions of services and communities on bypass for critical care at a time when wait lists are as long as ever.”

Health care providers are especially concerned about the situation at the Pasqua Hospital, where the combination of ongoing vacancies and two upcoming parental leaves will leave the facility with just two of six full time MRT positions filled.

“It is worrying that we are so short staffed at one of our major trauma centers that we may be going on bypass,” added Jalloh. “It is also concerning that we are so close to the opening of the new Urgent Care Centre, but there is a lack of staff in existing positions already.”

There are currently 1,544 Saskatchewan residents on the wait list who have waited more than 90 days for a CT scan. Media reports have highlighted the challenges breast cancer survivors are facing getting urgent testing that could help avoid cancer recurrence or fatal outcomes.

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CUPE 882 is pleased to announce they have confirmed a bargaining date with the City of Prince Albert for Friday, November 24 with an additional date set for the following week.

“There must have been some miscommunication on the city’s side as the union was never asked for a meeting on Tuesday,” said Cara Stelmaschuk, Vice-President of CUPE 882. “But we are heartened to see that the city is finally feeling a sense of urgency to resolve this, and we are glad we have a bargaining date secured.”

The union began job action on August 10, with a full withdrawal of services on September 11. This Friday will be the third bargaining date since June 26.

“Our union is ready to reach a deal. We hope that the city comes prepared to negotiate in good faith to reach a tentative agreement that works for both parties,” added Stelmaschuk.

CUPE 882 wants to thank the residents of Prince Albert, and the broader arts community for their ongoing support and solidarity.

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After the recent reversal on the decision to close the Regina Lutheran Home, CUPE is calling on the provincial government to stop treating Saskatchewan seniors like an afterthought and create a long-term plan for long-term care.

“The closure of Regina Lutheran Home should never have been on the table in the first place,” said Bashir Jalloh, president of CUPE 5430. “We welcome this reversal, but in reality, this mess is just the latest example of this government’s short-sighted and chaotic approach to long-term care.”

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On November 20, Transgender Day of Remembrance, we honour the memories and mourn the loss of all transgender, two-spirit, non-binary and gender non-conforming people who were victims of violence, hatred and discrimination. Let’s remember and work for change to end all forms of transphobic violence and discrimination in the workplace, at home, and in the community. #transdayofrememberance

Trans Day of Remembrance serves as a stark reminder of how much work we still must do – and better allies we all can be – to make our communities and workplaces safer and more inclusive.

We all have a role in supporting gender diversity and inclusion.

Learn more with links to the following resources:

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While City Council started budget deliberations by giving themselves a compensation increase, the unions representing inside and outside workers at the City of Prince Albert stand united to demand fair wages that reflect their dedication to the well-being and prosperity of our community.

“Budgets are about choices. This council is choosing to give themselves wage increases because of “increased workload” but are refusing to negotiate in good faith with their own employees,” said Cara Stelmaschuk, Vice-President of CUPE 882, the union representing inside workers at the city. “City workers are the heartbeat of Prince Albert, diligently providing vital services that ensure the smooth functioning of our city. From maintaining public spaces to ensuring public safety, these workers are the true pillars upon which our community stands.”

According to media reports, the city is projecting to bring in over $82 million in revenue for 2024 and is looking to spend over $77 million. PA Now reports that the difference between the projected revenue and projected expenditures is about $5.1 million – which “means the city could add to the budget without the risk of dealing with a deficit.”

“The cost of living continues to rise, and our members, who give their all to keep Prince Albert thriving, deserve compensation that aligns with their tireless efforts,” said Leslie Mourot Bartley, President of CUPE 160, the union representing outside workers. “Our demand for a fair wage increase is not just about numbers on a paycheque. It’s about recognition of our tireless efforts, commitment, and the indispensable services we provide. We are not asking for the moon; we are asking for a modest increase that reflects the value we bring to the City of Prince Albert.”

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Today, workers from Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) represented by CUPE, SEIU-West, and SGEU gathered at the legislature to send a simple message to the Minister of Social Services and former Saskatchewan Roughrider Gene Makowsky: Don’t fumble the ball on providing multi-year funding for Saskatchewan CBOs.

“Saskatchewan CBOs provide vital services to some of Saskatchewan’s most vulnerable citizens,” said Judy Henley, president of CUPE Saskatchewan. “After decades of underfunding, it’s past time for our government to step up. Saskatchewan CBOs have long been lobbying for stability only to be let down by this government at every turn. It’s time for Minister Makowsky to get his head in the game and provide stable, multi-year funding for our CBO sector.”

CBO workers care for people living with disabilities, respond to domestic violence calls, engage in suicide intervention, provide emergency child care, deliver mental health and addictions services, help people find employment, and more. For the past decade, the Saskatchewan government has provided inconsistent and unreliable funding for the CBO sector. For just as long, Saskatchewan unions have been calling on the government to provide multi-year funding for CBOs. A lack of stable, long-term funding has left CBOs in a constant state of uncertainty and as a result, they have been unable to provide wages that keep up with inflation for frontline workers, and struggle with recruitment and retention of staff.

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