CUPE slams City of Saskatoon scheme to use library taxes for new Wal-Mart development

[Sep 22, 2006 02:37 PM]

For Immediate Release:
March 13, 2006

SASKATOON: The Saskatchewan division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees is adding its voice to those opposed to a City of Saskatoon proposal to divert library taxes into an overpass for a new Wal-Mart development.

Delegates attending last week's CUPE Saskatchewan convention passed an emergency resolution condemning the city's decision to financially assist Wal-Mart with the development of the Stonebridge retail complex in south Saskatoon.

"It's completely unacceptable that the city would short-change our public library system in order to subsidize a development for the largest corporation in the world," said Tom Graham, a Saskatoon city worker and president of CUPE Saskatchewan.

"Wal-Mart has a long track record of destroying local businesses, busting unions and treating their employees like dirt. We don't need this kind of development in Saskatoon."

Under the city's plan, the next 15 years of municipal and library taxes collected on the new retail property would be dedicated to repaying the loan the city needs to finance the project.

But Graham said the proposal would cost the Saskatoon Public Library about $50,000 a year, funds that could be put to better use building a new main library branch and a Riversdale branch. The city also stands to lose over $500,000 in revenues a year as a result of the project.

CUPE members will be joining other concerned citizens later today for a rally outside Saskatoon City Hall at 5:30 p.m. City council will further discuss its proposal at a meeting tonight.

CUPE represents over 26,000 public sector employees in Saskatchewan, including library and municipal workers in Saskatoon.

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For more information contact:
Tom Graham 229-8171