CUPE local leadership from across the province gathered for the CUPE Saskatchewan All-Presidents’ meeting in Regina on May 26, 2023, to talk about the crisis in public services caused by the Sask. Party Government’s underfunding, mismanagement, and privatization. Despite the provincial government having a billion-dollar surplus, public services are facing chronic cuts and staff are facing burnout, worsening working conditions, and below inflation wages that are causing public services to reach their breaking point impacting students, patients, and Saskatchewan communities.
“The Sask. Party government needs to wake up and take notice that their budget isn’t working for anyone when so many public services and communities are suffering from a lack of funding,” said Judy Henley, president of CUPE Saskatchewan. “Dedicated public service workers have had enough and will not stand by and watch our public education system, health care system, and so many other important public services suffer further from inadequate funding. Saskatchewan people and communities deserve better, and we must all defend our public services together from Sask. Party mismanagement.”
CUPE leadership was joined by Carla Beck, Leader of the Opposition Saskatchewan NDP, and Nicole Sarauer, Opposition Critic for Labour, for a round-table discussion about the eroding state of public services, the stress of the growing cost-of-living crisis with lack of government relief, and the need to hold the Sask. Party government accountable for their decisions.
Henley also noted that agreements covering about one in six CUPE members in Saskatchewan are open, and many others are either at the bargaining table or heading there soon. This is a critical moment for public service workers across the province to make progress, secure real wage increases, and demand fair funding for public services.
“CUPE members are on the frontline of our public services, and we must take more action to defend them at the bargaining table and in our communities,” said Henley.
Learn more and take action to protect public services at: www.publicservicevoter.ca