NEWS | CUPE SASKATCHEWAN
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Monday - Thursday (306) 757.1009 | Friday (306) 537.9426
MEDIA CONTACTS: Tom Graham, President | Nathan Markwart, Exec. Assistant
Report finds privatizing wastewater in Regina will cost $61 million more than keeping it public
In a report released earlier this month, economist Hugh Mackenzie calculates the cost of Regina’s public-private partnership (P3) wastewater scheme to be $61 million more than if the city were to build it publicly.
[May 24, 2013 11:10 AM]
Saskatoon public library workers finally have a contract
SASKATOON – CUPE 2669 members who work at Saskatoon Public Library finally have a new contract. The agreement was reached with the help of a mediator. Members ratified the agreement on Saturday, May 11 and the Library Board ratified on Wednesday, May 15.
[May 21, 2013 01:38 AM]
Rushed labour law changes will hurt Saskatchewan workers
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Saskatchewan workers will have fewer protections and rights at work now that the government’s sweeping omnibus labour bill has passed its last hurdle to become law, says the province’s largest union. The law is expected to take effect as early as fall of this year.
CUPE, along with other unions, had called for the government to reconsider its rush to pass Bill 85, The Saskatchewan Employment Act.
[May 14, 2013 04:38 PM]
CUPE urges government to uphold commitment to repair flawed essential services law
Following the judgment handed down by the Court of Appeal last week overturning a lower court ruling against The Public Service Essential Services Act, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is urging the government to uphold their public commitment to repair the flawed essential services law that interferes with fair and free collective bargaining.
[Apr 30, 2013 10:05 AM]
Attend a May Day event: May 1
May Day has come to symbolize the international spirit of the Labour movement going back more than 120 years when hundreds of thousands of North American workers mobilized on May 1, 1886 to fight for an eight-hour day. Attend a May Day event on Wednesday, May 1 in Regina and Saskatoon.
Ceremonies commemorate workplace deaths
On April 28, Day of Mourning ceremonies were held across the province to commemorate the 60 workers who died on the job in 2012 – the worst year for workplace-related deaths in 30 years. Saskatchewan has the second worst rate of workplace-related injuries nationwide.
In Regina, 60 roses were laid at the Day of Mourning ceremony hosted by the Regina and District Labour Council that began mid-afternoon at city hall.
[Apr 29, 2013 02:37 PM]
Petition calls for Regina’s water to remain public
A petition has been launched calling for Regina’s water to remain in public hands following City Council’s recent decision to proceed with a request for proposals to privatize Regina’s wastewater treatment.
Find out where you can sign the petition.
Volunteer to help get signatures for the petition.
[Apr 21, 2013 07:18 PM]Day of Mourning April 28
Last year, 60 people died on the job in Saskatchewan making 2012 the worst year for workplace deaths in more than 30 years. Saskatchewan has the second worst rate of workplace-related injuries nationwide.
Attend a Day of Mourning event in your community on April 28.
[Apr 21, 2013 06:42 PM]Earth Day: Take action and take photos!
April 22 is Earth Day. Submit digital photographs to CUPE’s new green photography contest, download an Earth Day colouring contest poster, and find events in your community.
[Apr 21, 2013 06:38 PM]
Out on the streets to keep Regina safe
A 50-year record snowfall, late spring, and the possibility of a quick melt have CUPE 21 members out on the streets. City of Regina outside workers from parks, sewer, and irrigation are working hard to protect low-lying areas.
[Apr 21, 2013 06:33 PM]
Resolute workers ramp it up with read-in
Despite waiting more than three years for a fair collective agreement, Saskatoon Public Library workers are determined to keep up the fight. They held a read-in at Saskatoon city council April 8 to let councillors know they are still there, and that they want council to take action.
Bill 85 will make things harder for families
CUPE members are raising concerns about how the Saskatchewan government’s drastic changes to workplace protections and rights will make things harder for families. “I worry how changes to Saskatchewan’s labour laws will affect young workers like my daughter,” says Kristin, a CUPE 1975 member. (Read more)
[Apr 11, 2013 10:10 PM]
It's time to expand CPP
This June, Finance Ministers from across Canada are meeting to decide whether or not to expand the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). Let them know that our system can work better.
[Apr 11, 2013 06:46 PM]
P3s are privatization
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In a letter to the editor appearing in today’s Leader Post, Tom Graham responds to the false assumption that Public Private Partnerships (P3s) are a “tool” for governments. “P3s are privatization, and governments are never wise to use them for the delivery of public services,” writes Graham.
[Apr 8, 2013 02:12 PM]
On Equal Pay Day, take action to reduce the wage gap for women
The wage gap for women is shrinking, but at a slow pace. Equal Pay Day (April 9) illustrates how far into the next year a woman must work to earn the same amount a man made in the previous year.
[Apr 4, 2013 08:13 PM]
Are you negatively impacted by EI changes?
Employment Insurance is just that - insurance that you pay for, every paycheck. When you lose your job through no fault of your own, you should have access to the benefits you paid for. Yet, fewer than 4 in 10 unemployed Canadians qualify for EI benefits. If you are having trouble with EI, please send your stories to eiwatch@cupe.ca.
[Apr 4, 2013 08:04 PM]
Meetings on Bill 85 to be held across Saskatchewan
How will the provincial government’s sweeping re-write of labour laws known as Bill 85 impact you and your family?
CUPE members are encouraged to attend meetings on Bill 85 being held across Saskatchewan from April 8 – 23, 2013. (Read more)
[Apr 3, 2013 08:38 PM]
Federal Budget 2013’s big infrastructure announcement is actually a funding cut
After Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s hype about investing in infrastructure, Budget 2013 actually represents a reduction in the amount of money available for infrastructure over the next two years. View the key points.
[Mar 22, 2013 12:19 AM]
Budget opens the door for wide-scale privatization of infrastructure
REGINA – The Government of Saskatchewan released its 2013-2014 budget yesterday that opens the door for wide-scale privatization of infrastructure which will increase costs for Saskatchewan people and take away public accountability and control says the province’s largest public sector union.
[Mar 21, 2013 09:39 AM]
Regina Water Watch launches petition on World Water Day calling for public referendum on wastewater
Regina Water Watch is launching a petition on March 22 at The Artesian in Regina from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. calling for a public referendum to ensure that the wastewater plant stays in public hands.