By Andrew Stevens Sunny ways are back in Saskatchewan. Manufacturing sales are up, exports are growing, oil production and mineral sales have increased,[1] and the provincial government raked in a $1.2 billion surplus.[2] We’re even seeing the population rebound after some years of stagnation. But what does this mean for the average worker? Well that Continue readingAn economic snapshot of Saskatchewan (from labour’s standpoint)
saskatchewan
By Andrew Stevens For the first time since the mid-1990s Saskatchewan’s population growth has tapered off, advancing a trend that began around 2018. That’s what makes the federal government’s recent, ambitious immigration targets so important for our province. By 2024 around 1.3 million permanent resident admissions have been planned for at the national level. It’s Continue readingOp-ed: Saskatchewan’s migrant future
In this latest installment of the Work in the West interview series, Sara Birrell talks about Saskatchewan’s long-term care crisis. This includes a discussion about staff-resident relationships during COVID-19, and experiences of residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more, please check out Sara Birrell’s article “The slow crisis in Saskatchewan’s long-term care” published in Briarpatch Continue readingSaskatchewan’s long-term care crisis
Kevin Bittman from Unifor 594 in Regina, Saskatchewan discusses impending lockout for Co-op refinery workers. www.unifor594.com/ Mike Espenell, from IBEW 2034 discusses how Brian Pallister’s cuts to Manitoba Hydro have impacted Hydro’s ability to respond to last week’s snow storm, which knocked out power for nearly 50,000 Manitobans. www.ibew2034.com/ Jeff Traeger, President of UFCW Local Continue readingBuilding worker solidarity across sectors
Well, quite a bit. The University of Regina Faculty Association which represents 1400 employees, attained a strike mandate in November 2018, seeking wage increases to match inflation and job security for sessional instructors, among other things. URFA’s contract expired in June 2017. URFA and Administration are currently in mediation. And the U of R Students’ Continue readingWhat is going on at the University of Regina?