This is an archive of news stories and research from the National Union of Public and General Employees. Please see our new site - https://nupge.ca - for the most current information.
'We will be discussing the value of public services, especially during a recession when our services are required more than ever.' - SGEU president Bob Bymoen.
Prince Albert (15 April 2009) - The Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union (SGEU/NUPGE) is focusing on the value of public services and the pitfalls of privatization at its 95th convention which opens Wednesday in Prince Albert.
Learning about the pitfalls of privatization and public-private-partnerships (P3s), and strategizing to challenge them will be some of the many tasks taken on by approximately 250 SGEU members attending the convention, the union says. The three-day gathering ends on Friday.
"We will be discussing the value of public services, especially during a recession when our services are required more than ever," says SGEU president Bob Bymoen.
Representatives from other public service unions from across the country have been invited to participate and will be sharing their experiences with privatization and P3s during convention sessions on Thursday.
"Our members help keep communities safe and healthy and provide quality public services to Saskatchewan," Bymoen says.
"Privatization by stealth and deregulation seems to be (the Saskatchewan) government’s approach and our members are right to be wary," he adds.
“Deregulation and undermining public interests have gotten us into this economic mess and more of the same is the last thing our economy needs.”
SGEU delegates will also discuss a range of other issues, including the impact of the economic crisis and essential services legislation on the upcoming contract negotiations and an internal “green” audit of SGEU.
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
More information:
Daily convention coverage on the SGEU website