Lori Johb addresses CUPE Delegates: “With stronger unions comes stronger solidarity”
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.
Henley: Now more than ever, we need to build up public services
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.”
Chinook School Division ignoring Saskatchewan Information and Privacy Commissioner recommendations
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.
Paratransit services for seniors and individuals with disabilities in Prince Albert are facing an imminent cut due to city funding shortfall
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.
Barely surviving – New report highlights cost of living impacts on Saskatchewan health care workers
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.”