One year after raising concerns about chronic underfunding, staffing shortages, and instability in Saskatchewan’s community-based organization (CBO) sector, CUPE Saskatchewan says workers are still waiting for meaningful action from the Sask. Party government.
On November 5, representatives from CUPE Saskatchewan, SEIU-West, and SGEU met with Social Services Deputy Minister Kilbride to discuss ongoing challenges facing workers and people who rely on the services they provide. The meeting comes after repeated requests for a meeting with Minister Jenson went unanswered, and one year after these same concerns were first brought to Minister Jenson’s attention.
Despite repeated concerns raised with the Sask. Party government over the past year, workers continue to face low wages, recruitment and retention challenges, and uncertainty caused by short-term funding models.
“CBO Appreciation Day is tomorrow, and these workers don’t feel appreciated by this government,” said Kent Peterson, president of CUPE Saskatchewan. “These issues are not new, and neither are our solutions. A year ago, we told Minister Jenson that underfunding was driving workers out of the sector and putting services at risk. Today, we’re delivering that same message because nothing has changed for workers, organizations, or the people who rely on those services.”
CUPE Saskatchewan is calling on the Sask. Party government to commit to stable, multi-year funding indexed to inflation, improve transparency and accountability measures to ensure funding reaches frontline workers, and strengthen health and safety oversight through regular inspections and enforcements.
“Community-based organizations support people every day through care in group homes, vocational training for people living with disabilities, addictions treatment, shelters, and other vital services,” said Christie MacNeill, chair of CUPE Saskatchewan’s CBO Workers’ Steering Committee. “But workers are being asked to do more with less. Without stable funding, safe workplaces, and targeted investments in the workforce, it’s becoming harder to recruit and retain the workers communities rely on.”
“These organizations strengthen communities every day,” said Peterson. “Workers have spent another year waiting for action. We need this government to move beyond listening and make real commitments to stable funding, greater accountability, and stronger health and safety protections so workers can provide the services Saskatchewan communities rely on.”