FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2017
RALLY FOR SASKATCHEWAN SHOWS HUGE SUPPORT FOR CROWNS AND INVESTMENTS IN PUBLIC SERVICES
People from across the province came together to Rally for Saskatchewan – and say NO to the Sask. Party government’s cuts and sell-offs of our Crown corporations.
“The Rally for Saskatchewan is a tremendous show of opposition to the Sask. Party government’s public service cuts, layoffs, and privatization agenda,” said Larry Hubich, president of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL).
Saskatchewan people, community groups, and the labour movement all came together to show a unified voice in response to the Sask. Party government’s attacks on workers, services, and Crowns. People travelled to the rally by bus from: the Battlefords, Prince Albert, Melville, Melfort, Tisdale, Yorkton, Weyburn, Estevan, Swift Current, Moose Jaw, and Saskatoon.
Speakers at the rally spoke from a variety of perspectives, all of which highlighted the impact on real people that the Sask. Party government’s plans have.
Bob Bymoen, president, SGEU:
“Attacking public services, and the frontline workers who deliver them, is not the answer to our economic problems,” says SGEU President Bob Bymoen. “We need better management at the top, and that should start with an independent review of all third party contracts with consultants, private contractors and P3 consortiums, to assess the real cost, and value of the money government has been spending.”
Barbara Cape, president, SEIU-West:
“The people of this province built the public services we enjoy today – we all know that the growing deficit of over a billion dollars is not because of public sector workers – it’s because of a resource boom that went flat,” said Barbara Cape, president of SEIU-West. “Saskatchewan people know the boom/bust cycle – we also know the true test of good government is how you manage the bad times.”
Tom Graham, president, CUPE Saskatchewan:
“It is important that the Sask. Party government knows that people have grave concerns about their reckless spending – not to mention their blatant disregard for public services and working people,” said Tom Graham. “The people of this province deserve world class health care, education, and social services, and a government that will in invest in the people who provide these services.”
Lori Johb, secretary-treasurer, Saskatchewan Federation of Labour:
“People spoke loudly today, so I hope the Sask. Party government is listening: we reject your plans to sell SaskTel or any Crown, and we reject your cuts, waste, and mismanagement,” said SFL Secretary-Treasurer Lori Johb, “we also know cuts and privatization disproportionately impact women, a fact not lost on rally participants on International Women’s Day,” she added.
Joie Warnock, Western Director, Unifor:
“Saskatchewan’s Crown corporations are like the Goose that Laid Golden Eggs,” said Joie Warnock, Unifor’s Western Director. “Selling off the Crowns would be foolish and short-sighted.”
Kim Wilson, president, COPE Local 397:
“COPE 397 is asking the people of Saskatchewan to stand up to the current government and say NO to privatization, no to Bill 40, no to cuts, no layoffs, and no roll backs,” said Kim Wilson, president of COPE397, which represents workers at SGI, “the Crown corporations generate millions in dividends back to the province to pay for schools, roads, and hospitals. Public Sector employees did not cause the current deficit, and should not have to pay for the current government’s mismanagement,” she added.
People across the province have demonstrated a desire to keep the pressure on the Sask. Party government to withdraw Bill 40, protect our Crowns, invest in public services, and respect workers. As such, going forward the Own It! campaign, community groups, and the labour movement will be providing opportunities for Saskatchewan people to make their voices heard.
For additional information, contact:
Kent Peterson
Strategic Advisor
Saskatchewan Federation of Labour
o: 1 (306) 525-0197
m: 1 (306) 570-1855
e: k.peterson@sfl.sk.ca