SGEU says closing job centres in small towns will hurt vulnerable workers and communities

"We urge government to rethink this decision, and to enhance, not eliminate, assistance for people — often in desperate straits — who need a helping hand.” — Bob Bymoen, SGEU President

Regina (09 July 2015) — A government plan to shut down centres in small towns that help unemployed people find jobs will hurt vulnerable workers, as well as local communities, according to the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union (SGEU/NUPGE).

Saskatchewan government closes job centres when workers need them the most

Can-Sask Labour Market Services centres in Swift Current, Humboldt, Nipawin and Fort Qu’Appelle, run by the provincial Ministry of the Economy, are to be closed in August.  The widely used employment website Saskjobs.ca is administered by the Can-Sask centres.

“At a time when we are experiencing a slowdown in the oil patch, and potentially heading into a drought year, it doesn’t make sense to cut support and services to people — particularly in rural communities —  who want to work, but need a little help to make that happen,” said Bob Bymoen, SGEU President.

Job centres provide support for unemployed and those looking to upskill

The centres offer job seekers necessary supports, including personal career counseling, training in resume writing, access to an office where they can use computers, printers, photocopiers and the internet to help with their job search.  On-site staff provide personalized support and advocacy, and connect those looking for work with various skills training and employment programs.  Staff connect with local employers on a regular basis to update job postings on Saskjobs.ca.

People living with disabilities, employment insurance recipients, new Canadians, single parents, farmers making the transition to off-farm jobs are just some of the people who are helped by this service.

“It’s counter-productive to eliminate the support services that upskill people and get them into the work force,” says Bymoen. Cutting these centres will also be a loss for local businesses and non-profit organizations who often take on contracts to train or employ workers.

People in rural communities will feel the closures the most

People who need help getting a job in these rural communities may have to seek services in a larger centre. “That would mean the one-on-one, personalized service will be lost.  And, it could mean that basic but necessary support services will not be available on short notice,  so there won’t be a nearby place to quickly type a cover letter, print a resume, or send a fax,” Bymoen adds.

“The reality is that people looking for work may not have a vehicle, so traveling long distances to get help is just not going to work,” he says.

The Swift Current region, for example, is huge, stretching from the U.S. border to the Alberta border to the South Saskatchewan River to Chaplin. If services are centralized in Moose Jaw, most people in the southwest would be forced to travel long distances to get the help they need.

“Telephone counseling might be the only option left to many rural people.  But front-line workers say that approach just doesn’t adequately meet the often complex needs of clients,” Bymoen notes. 

Job Centre closures put more people out of work

Ten public service workers, who provide counseling, support, information and advocacy, will lose their jobs as a result of the closure of the four centres.  In addition, three similar positions will be eliminated from the labour services centre in Saskatoon, and one from the Regina centre.

“Government should be focusing on strengthening rural communities, not taking away more local services,” says Bymoen. “We urge government to rethink this decision, and to enhance, not eliminate, assistance for people — often in desperate straits — who need a helping hand.”

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 360,000 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