REGINA – School employees in Weyburn, Estevan and surrounding communities are considering job action after union talks broke down.
SEIU-West represents 250 members including administrative assistants, bus drivers, library and cafeteria staff, and maintenance workers in the Cornerstone School Division.
Stalled talks led to a two-week cooling off period, which ended March 30.
Wage increase is the main sticking point in negotiations. The employer is offering a two per cent wage increase for two years, while the union is looking for at least three per cent.
“The cost of living in that part of the province is actually around 2.8 or 2.9 per cent. There’s not a huge gap between the parties. But again the question is ‘is there a little compromise to be reached by both parties?’,” said SEIU-West President Barbara Cape.
Job action would require 48-hour notice to the school division.