Saskatchewan Party Bullies Union

[Nov 1, 2007 05:36 PM]

For Immediate Release:

November 1, 2007

Saskatchewan Party Bullies Union

REGINA: The Canadian Union of Public Employees - Saskatchewan is responding today to allegations that discussing labour issues with its members is illegal.

"Mr. Wall has seen fit to have Elections Saskatchewan review some little cards we made available toour members," said CUPE Saskatchewan President Tom Graham on Thursday. "The accusations that we've done something wrong are ludicrous. This is an example of political bullying."

It has long been the practice of organizations-including unions, and stakeholder groups-to inform their members about the issues which will affect them during and after an election. "Like other organizations, we tell our members when we have concerns," said Graham.

Graham acknowledges that in the lead-up to the 2007 election, CUPE has been firm in getting labour-related concerns to the CUPE membership in Saskatchewan.

"We're very worried about what Mr. Wall means when he says Enterprise Saskatchewan," said Graham. "We're worried about what they stand for, since they removed their policy book from their website.

"I was elected by the working people of our union who could suffer under a regressive government, and my organization and I have the legal right and the moral obligation to tell them of our concerns."

CUPE's pamphlets-cards which contain the topics "Why is your union talking about politics," "What we have…" and "What's at risk for you"-were created and printed before the writ was issued, and were made available to CUPE locals in Saskatchewan in September and the beginning of October. The pamphlets do not endorse any specific political party or candidate.

"We talk amongst ourselves about politics in this union, and we have the right to do so," said Graham. "We certainly respect the job which Elections Saskatchewan has to do, and will cooperate with any request they have for us. However, in the meantime, we wish Mr. Wall would spend more time working on better policies for Saskatchewan, and less time bullying a bunch of working people."

CUPE is the largest union in Saskatchewan and in Canada. CUPE Saskatchewan is made up of 27,000 public sector workers in the province who work at health care facilities, municipalities, school boards, universities, libraries and community-based organizations.

- 30 -

For more information, contact:
Tom Graham 229-8171

COPE 342