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“I am honoured to have been elected to serve as SGEU’s president and to lead the continued work of our union to support members and be their voice for social change. I believe that by working together, we can build a stronger labour movement across Saskatchewan.” —Tracey Sauer, President SGEU/NUPGE
Regina (07 May 2021) — Tracey Sauer was elected as the new President of the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union (SGEU/NUPGE) at the union’s first-ever virtual convention, which took place from April 29 to May 1, 2021.
“I am honoured to have been elected to serve as SGEU’s President and to lead the continued work of our union to support members and be their voice for social change,” said Sauer after the election results were announced. “I believe that by working together, we can build a stronger labour movement across Saskatchewan.”
Larry Brown, President of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), welcomed Tracey in her new role. SGEU/NUPGE is a Component of NUPGE.
"It is clear that the leadership you demonstrated while on the Executive of SGEU/NUPGE has inspired the confidence of your members. Bert (Blundon) and I look forward to working with you, with Mark Wells, your new Vice-President NUPGE, and the rest of the SGEU Executive, as you meet the challenges that will surely face your members, your union, and all our Components, during and following this pandemic."
Strong history of leadership in SGEU/NUPGE
Sauer has been a union activist and outspoken advocate for health care workers for over 35 years, starting out as a steward in her workplace before going on to hold many roles in the union, including being on the SGEU Provincial Council for 19 years and on SGEU’s Administrative Committee as the NUPGE Vice-President for 5 years.
She comes from the union's health sector and has served for the past 2 years as the Health Sector Chair and the Health Providers Bargaining Unit Chair. She also spent many years on the Health Providers Negotiating Committee and is a graduate of the Harvard University Trade Union Program.
Importance of solidarity
“As a union representing 20,000 working people across Saskatchewan, I believe we need to rally our members and work to build strong solidarity across sectors,” said Sauer. “SGEU/NUPGE has always been a politically active union, and I’d like to send a message to our government that we are ready to stand up for our rights and fight the longstanding injustices to workers that have been highlighted throughout this pandemic.”
“I would like to thank outgoing President Bob Bymoen and Secretary-Treasurer Roseann Strelezki for their leadership of SGEU/NUPGE over the past years,” Sauer added. “Their passion and dedication have shaped Saskatchewan’s labour movement and our union, and I’m honoured to pick up the baton and continue building on their important work.”
Sauer is also known for being the first woman elected as the Mayor of Kelvington (2016-2020), where she currently resides. She is the second woman to be elected President of SGEU/NUPGE, following in the footsteps of former president Barbara Byers.
The SGEU/NUPGE will be represented by Mark Wells and Ray Aldinger, as an alternate.
SGEU/NUPGE represents approximately 20,000 members in 6 sectors who provide important programs and services to Saskatchewan people in areas such as government services, crown Corporations, health care and long-term care, liquor retailing and distribution, education, and community-based services.