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“… no other essential services legislation is as devoid of access to independent, effective dispute resolution processes to address employer designations of essential service workers." - Justice Dennis Ball.
Regina (08 Feb. 2012) - On Feb. 7, the Saskatchewan Court of Queen’s Bench released a historic decision protecting the rights of working people across the province. In a landmark decision, Justice Dennis Ball determined that the provincial government’s Public Services Essential Services (PSES) Act – passed in 2008 – was unconstitutional.
“We understand essential services. We provide them every day,” said SGEU President Bob Bymoen.
“As confirmed by Justice Ball, we made every effort to meet with the government representatives in order to provide our input on the legislation, but our efforts were unsuccessful. Hopefully now the government will sit down with us and engage in meaningful dialogue,” added Bymoen.
Justice Ball’s decision is an important precedent, which has implications across the country. It is an opportunity for the government and the unions of Saskatchewan to re-visit their relationship and work together to move the province forward.
More information:
Full version of the decision (Citation: 2012 SKQB 62)
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