Unifor welcomes promise to repeal Bill 40
REGINA, Oct. 25, 2017 /CNW/ - Unifor says that the repeal of Bill 40 is a good start to rebuilding the government's commitment to the province's popular Crown corporations.
"The people of this province value affordable, high-quality public services," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. "Repealing the privatization law is just the start. The Sask Party must immediately reverse the devastating cuts introduced in the 2017 budget."
Unifor and the Saskatchewan labour movement have spent most of the last decade fighting against public service privatization under the Sask Party government. In recent years, Unifor has published ads on radio, television, and billboards to expose the contrast between the government's pro-Crowns election promises and policies like Bill 40 that would undermine public ownership.
The government has also faced unprecedented backlash following the 2017 provincial budget's wide-ranging funding cuts to everything from health care to libraries.
"Residents of Saskatchewan can feel some relief at this stunning change of course," said Joie Warnock, Unifor Western Regional Director. "But until the budget cuts are reversed, it is impossible to believe this government when it claims it's 'listening'."
The Sask Party has a long record of privatization, which includes Heritage Gas, Navigata, and DirectWest Canada. Over the last two terms, Brad Wall has also privatized portions of SaskTel via contracting out, including Operator Services, Max Television Service Installations, and Satellite High Speed Internet Service.
Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.
SOURCE Unifor
News published on and distributed by:
