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Three Saskatchewan unions combine efforts to improve wages and working conditions for those who help the most vulnerable people in society.
Regina (24 Nov. 2009) - Saskatchewan's Community Support Workers help the most vulnerable people in society – every day, 365 days a year. Yet they're among the lowest paid workers in the province.
How low are those wages? Just slightly above the minimum wage – basically at the poverty level wage.
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Three unions have now joined forces to try and improve conditions for this group of workers. They are the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union (SGEU/NUPGE), the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU WEST). A new website has been created to lobby on their behalf.
"This website is about helping these vital workers get a fair deal from the Saskatchewan government," SGEU says. "We encourage you to take a quick look through the tabs above (it won't take more than a couple minutes) — and then join us in asking the Minister of Social Services and your MLA to work to make things right."
The website also contains a video advertisement, entitled "Giving more. Worth more." Workers we feature in the video earn low wage rates ranging from $10.15 to $15.52 an hour - even after years of dedicated service.
"Without us too many vulnerable people would fall through the cracks," the video says.
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
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Giving more. Worth More