First Meeting Between Union, Minister Held

[Aug 13, 2009 07:42 PM]

August 13, 2009

REGINA—Representatives from the Saskatchewan Division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) finally met today with the Hon. Rob Norris, Minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour. The leadership of the largest union in the province is calling the meeting a “baby-step” in building a more balanced approach to the way labour relations are governed in Saskatchewan.

“We are trying again to cultivate a working relationship with the Minister appointed to represent labour issues,” said Tom Graham, president of CUPE Saskatchewan. “We spoke with him today on several topics; and although we weren’t completely satisfied with the Minister’s responses to our concerns, we are very pleased that a dialogue has been struck.”

The union, which represents 29,000 public sector workers in Saskatchewan, had repeatedly requested meetings with the Minister over the 22 months of the current government’s mandate. Thursday marked only the first time that Minister Norris met with the union leadership.

“We’re committed to pursuing a more cooperative approach,” said Graham, who added that a cooperative approach to labour legislation must involve consultation with all stakeholders, including employers, unions and the working families they represent.

Both parties committed to future, quarterly meetings in order to work to resolve some of the issues with the rocky labour relations climate in Saskatchewan and specific legislations which affect working people.