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Elections, resolutions and guest speakers filled the agenda for SGEU annual convention.
Regina (03 May 2012) - The city of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan played host to the annual convention of the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees Union (SGEU/NUPGE) last week. Two hundred and twenty delegate members (including more than 50 first-time delegates) gathered at the Prince Albert Exhibition Centre to celebrate the union's 99th anniversary.
Members debated approximately 50 resolutions and discussed the unconstitutional legislation the Wall government continues to use to limit bargaining and human rights.
Nominations and elections for the roles of SGEU President, Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) Vice President, National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) Vice President, and three Board of Trustees were held and announced at the event.
Bob Bymoen, member from the Ministry and Highways and Infrastructure, was re-elected for his sixth consecutive two-year term as SGEU President. Patrice Kelly, member from the Ministry of Health, was elected for the SFL VP and Helen Hrynchak from the Ministry of Corrections and Public Safety for the NUPGE VP.
Thanks to the donation of several generous sponsors and members from all over the province, approximately $8000 was raised for the Saskatchewan Children’s Wish Foundation. Delegates on the convention floor also graciously donated around $5000 to help fellow members and their loved ones battling serious illnesses. In addition, nearly $3000 raised from the onsite sales of Canadian union-made apparel went to the SGEU Bursaries Fund.
Special guests, Dr. Perry Sirota, clinical and forensic psychologist and management consultant; and Donna Bower, Friends For Life director at the Canadian Mental Health Association, spoke on various workplace-related topics including mental illness, harassment and bullying. Deborah Howes, chartered arbitrator and mediator from the Foundation of Administrative Justice, also presented on organizational planning and governance.
The union's women's committee gathered and showcased the life-sized wooden silhouettes from their Silent Witness Project, in remembrance of girls and women who were harmed or killed as a result of domestic violence.
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