From Wednesday to Friday last week, more than 40 community-based organization (CBO) and early learning and child care workers from 25 CUPE locals gathered in Regina for two and a half days of strategic planning and discussion.
The think tank brought workers together to discuss common challenges facing CBO and child care workers across Saskatchewan and to learn more about coordinated bargaining and sector-wide strategies.
On November 5, members attended Question Period at the Saskatchewan Legislature before participating in a media scrum. CUPE Saskatchewan President Kent Peterson and CUPE Saskatchewan CBO Workers’ Steering Committee Chair Christie MacNeill spoke with reporters about challenges facing the sector and called on the Sask. Party government to invest in CBO workers. The activities took place one day before CBO Workers’ Appreciation Day, shining a spotlight on the vital role CBO workers play in supporting people and communities across the province.
“This think tank brought workers together to learn from one another and start building a more coordinated approach to bargaining across the sector,” said MacNeill. “Many locals are facing the same challenges, and this was an opportunity to share experiences, learn new strategies, and explore how we can work together to build strength at the bargaining table.”
Throughout the event, participants took part in presentations on strategic planning, bargaining trends, member engagement and mobilization, and political action, as well as heard about resources provided by CUPE Saskatchewan and National. Members also participated in breakout discussions to identify common workplace issues and brainstorm strategies for future bargaining.
“CBOs provide vital services in communities across Saskatchewan, but those services depend on workers being properly supported,” said Peterson. “Bringing workers together to share ideas and build strategies strengthens our ability to advocate for better wages, better working conditions, and investments needed to sustain these important services.”
The think tank was organized by CUPE Saskatchewan’s CBO Workers’ Steering Committee and reflects the sector’s ongoing commitment to building stronger coordination and solidarity among workers across the province.