Current Struggles in Defence of Rights
Sask Crown Workers on Strike for New Contracts
Striking Saskatchewan public sector workers rally in Regina, October 11, 2019.
Five thousand workers at SaskTel, SaskEnergy, SaskPower, SaskWater, DirectWest, SecurTek, and the Water Security Agency began a strike struggle for new collective agreements on October 4. Most agreements expired over two years ago. The workers demand wage increases and an end to contracting out and other practices that are leading to privatization of the Crown companies to pay the rich. The strike of the Saskatchewan public sector workers is part of the broad class struggle of the working class across Canada to uphold the dignity of workers and claim what belongs to them by right from the value they produce.
The Saskatchewan Conservative government of Premier Scott Moe insulted the workers with a legislated two-year wage freeze while giving all Members of the Legislative Asssembly a 2.3 per cent salary increase this year.
The workers agreed to lift the strike temporarily on October 7 but the government locked out SaskTel workers. This prompted the other workers to continue the strike until negotiated agreements are reached.
“We’re going to stay on the picket line in solidarity with SaskTel and to ensure that our own membership is not divided by the employer,” said Ian Davidson, Unifor Local 649 President, representing workers at SaskEnergy and SaskPower. “Crown workers and our families are united as ever in the campaign for a fair contract, and that doesn’t change today because the government has dropped the ball again,” Davidson added.
Two thousand crown workers and supporters marched through the streets of Regina on October 11, demonstrating their opposition to the insulting arrogance of the Conservative Party government and their determination to reach collective agreements acceptable to themselves.
(Photos: Unifor, My Crowns)
This article was published in:
Renewal Update No. 39, October 19, 2019
Article Link:
Current Struggles in Defence of Rights: Sask Crown Workers on Strike for New Contracts
