CUPE Saskatchewan leads delegation to the Caucus Office

[Mar 17, 2008 12:45 PM]

For Immediate Release:

 

March 13, 2008

 

 

 

CUPE Saskatchewan leads delegation to the Caucus Office

 

 

SASKATOON: Delegates to the CUPE Saskatchewan convention were joined by allies and supporters today as they marched to the Government of Saskatchewan caucus office in Saskatoon to demand public consultation on Bills 5 and 6.

 

“Bills 5 and 6 are drastic pieces of legislation, which would be a serious blow to workers’ rights,” said Tom Graham, president of CUPE Saskatchewan. “They were tabled without any consultation; with either stakeholder organizations or the public. Not only are the Public Services Essential Service Act and The Trade Union Amendment Act heavy-handed, but also unnecessary.”

 

Graham noted that over the past 20 years, 96 per cent of all public contracts have been reached without job action in Saskatchewan. Of the remaining four per cent of cases, in which job action was taken by either employer or employee groups, emergency services were always maintained by CUPE and other public sector unions.

 

“Our members have always negotiated emergency services and those services which are truly essential during a strike,” Graham said. “This legislation allows employers to demand services far beyond those necessary for the safety of the public and expensive equipment.

 

“It tilts the scales much too far in favour of employers, and that undermines the ability of working people to negotiate fair contracts.”

 

CUPE Saskatchewan is calling for Bills 5 and 6 to be shelved until public consultation, as well as expert analysis from various disciplines, takes place.

 

“This is representative democracy,” said Graham. “The election of our government isn’t blind concurrence to do whatever they wish with our rights. This government has the responsibility to consult with their constituents.”

 

CUPE is the largest union in Saskatchewan, and in Canada, representing more than 27,000 members in the province who work in municipalities, health care facilities, libraries, schools, universities, community-based organizations and more. Nationally, CUPE represents 570,000 working people.

 

 

-          30 –

 

 

Media inquiries should be directed to Erin Morrison at (306) 527-2084;

 

or CUPE Saskatchewan President Tom Graham at (306) 229-8171.