Insurance workers begin job action against SGI

Workers at Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) started job action Monday to back their contract demands with the government agency.

The workers, members of the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union (COPE), will no longer work overtime.

SGI says the ban on overtime will cause customer service delays. Officials say there are at least 1,200 outstanding claims in Regina alone from the July 3rd hail storm that require estimates.

The agency is also looking at hiring independent appraisers to assist with damage estimates.

SGI has offered employees a 5.5 per cent wage increase over three years. COPE is looking for a wage increase of CPI plus one per cent.

COPE served strike notice last week and is now in a legal strike position.

The union represents about 1,550 workers, including 91 who have been deemed essential, meaning they can’t strike.