PRINCE ALBERT, SK – Members rallied at CUPE’s Prince Albert office last week to draw attention to the loss of 29 full-time temporary jobs as workers were laid off at North Sask Laundry Services. The jobs have been shipped to Calgary because the Saskatoon Health Region has decided to send their hospital linen to a private for-profit company, K-BRO, in Calgary Alberta.
“This is a huge loss, not only personally to these workers and their families, but to our whole community,” says CUPE 3736 President Anita Labossiere.
The barbecue and rally was well attended. Day and evening shift laundry workers from CUPE 3736 were joined by members from CUPE 4777 and CUPE Health Care Council representatives.
They handed out leaflets and marched up and down First Avenue. The rally garnered positive feedback with members of the public stopping by to offer words of support and encouragement. Mayor Jim Scarrow and Councillor Charlene Miller attended the rally that drew media coverage from CJWW radio, CTV television, Prince Albert Daily Herald and PA Now.
The rally and barbecue was supported by local business donations of food and supplies. “We really appreciate the public’s support and the donations from local businesses,” said Labossiere. “Keeping jobs here in Prince Albert benefits the whole community.”
CUPE 3736 represents 111 workers who provide services at North Sask Laundry and Support Services (NSL) in Prince Albert.