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Every Saskatchewan worker stands to lose in government overhaul of labour legislation. Have your voice heard. Write to the Minister today!
Regina (03 July 2012) - A new campaign has been launched to educate and mobilize workers and the public about the changes to labour laws the Saskatchewan government is trying to introduce.
The Saskatchewan Way, launched as part of a member-to-member education campaign by the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union (SGEU/NUPGE) shines a light on the negative impact the labour law changes will have on families and communities across the province.
The union is taking on this campaign because the government's consultation plan is so broad and dense it has made it difficult for people to understand the full effect of the changes. To ensure the changes are as transparent as possible, the SGEU/NUPGE has officially requested the Premier release the exact draft legislation so workers and the public can review it.
The Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Don Morgan has already said the language is prepared but they have yet to reveal it.
What has been determined already is that the legislation will heavily favour employers and will hurt all working people, not just unionized workers. Many of the rights and protections which have been hard won over decades may be erased overnight.
"Fundamental, longstanding rights that all workers enjoy are at risk," says SGEU President Bob Bymoen. "Annual vacation, the 40-hour work week, rest breaks, public statutory holidays, job protection for new parents and workers with disabilities -- all of these are up for grabs. Every employee in this province is affected by the planned overhaul of our labour legislation."
This legislation also goes after democratically elected work organizations by making it more difficult for trade unions to do the job of standing up for working people. The Saskachewan Party knows that losing any organized labour strength in the workplace will allow employers to run roughshod over all worker rights.
It is essential that concerned workers and members of the public make their voices heard over this legislation.
Write to the Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety before July 31, 2012 to stop any changes that undermine or erode existing rights and protections for working people.
More information:
The Saskatchewan Way website: http://www.thesaskatchewanway.ca/
No meaningful consultation planned as Saskatchewan government moves to re-write labour laws
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE