The Saskatchewan Government Employees’ Union (SGEU) has come one step closer to public sector employees walking off the job.
Members voted across the province throughout July, to determine whether a strike mandate was necessary. The majority of members voted in favour.
“This mandate sends a strong, clear message to government that our members are serious about achieving a fair and reasonable collective agreement that protects their rights and improves their wages and benefits,” said Barry Nowoselsky, chair of the PS/GE Negotiating Committee in the Aug. 1 press release.
“A mandate from the members to strike does not mean there will be immediate job action. The negotiating committee is willing to return to the bargaining table as long as the employer is willing to negotiate,” he added.
Bargaining for the current collective agreement started in October of 2016, says Lori Bossaer of the SGEU Negotiation Committee, with a Memorandum of Agreement being presented to the union in February 2018.
“A vote on the Memorandum of Agreement took place in March and April of this year and members rejected that offer. Bargaining resumed in May with an impasse reached in June.”
When members were asked their reason for rejecting the collective agreement, Bossaer says they wanted more in terms of wage increases and pension.
According to Bossaer, the government is unwilling to discuss changes to proposed wage and pension increases.
“Currently, our step right now is to focus all of our efforts on getting a fair deal that recognizes the importance of our members.”
The SGEU will need to negotiate essential service agreements with the Saskatchewan government before any job action can take place, as per the Saskatchewan Employment Act, says Bossaer.
“Meanwhile, we are hopeful that we can return to the bargaining table as soon as possible and continue to negotiate a fair contract.”
Discussions are ongoing regarding essential service agreements, says Bossaer, but both parties need to be willing to go back to the table to discuss the collective agreement as a whole.
The SGEU is willing to go back to the table at any time, she says.
The last thing the members want is to actually go out on strike. We’re hoping that with our strong strike mandate that we’re able to negotiate a better contract at the table. That’s our number one goal.”
In a statement received from the Government of Saskatchewan, they are aware that the SGEU has received a strike mandate from their members and they respect this is part of the collective bargaining process.
“Our next steps include negotiating an essential services agreement to ensure a level of service is maintained in critical areas of need for our citizens. We continue to hope for a negotiated settlement.”
The SGEU represents 12,000 members across the province with 300 in the Humboldt, Melfort, and Tisdale areas.
