Unionized workers at SaskTel could be on strike by the end of the month as Unifor served a strike notice on Thursday.
The union said some progress has been made on non-monetary items but criticized the government’s mandate of a two-year wage freeze.
Unifor said it is a sticking point that will “almost certainly result in job action if no flexibility is granted with the mandate.”
“All because he refuses to grant Crown workers the same pay increase that he gave himself.”
Job action will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Sept. 30 if a collective agreement isn’t reached.
Six other Crown-sector bargaining units have also voted to take job action: SaskPower, SaskEnergy, SaskWater, SecureTek, DirectWest and the Water Security Agency.
Saskatchewan Finance Minister Donna Harpauer said that while the government respects the collective bargaining process and the right to strike, legislation is in place to ensure essential services are not affected by job action.
“We encourage all parties to negotiate in good faith at the table,” Harpauer said.
“Crowns have business continuity plans in place in the event of job action and will utilize management staff to continue serving Saskatchewan people.”
The two sides will resume contract talks on Sept. 26 and 27.
Unifor represents roughly 4,400 employees at the seven agencies.
Comments