According to CUPE 47, recent mediation with the City of Saskatoon failed to bring the parties closer to a fair collective agreement, raising serious concerns about the city’s approach to bargaining and the future stability of Saskatoon’s public water services.
CUPE 47 members are responsible for drinking water, wastewater treatment and monitoring, and environmental and watershed protection – services relied on by more than one-third of Saskatchewan residents.
Susan Dobrowney, president of CUPE 47, said the process confirmed what workers have experienced throughout negotiations: a lack of meaningful engagement from the employer and continued pressure for major concessions.
“Instead of working through proposals, the city has remained focused on takeaways that weaken safety, stability, and reliable operations,” said Dobrowney. “That approach doesn’t just affect workers – it puts necessary public services at risk.”
In response, CUPE 47 is launching a letter-writing campaign calling on City Council to ensure the city is bargaining fairly and in good faith and to oppose concessions that weaken public safety and service reliability.
“We’re asking residents to speak up and remind council that protecting services means respecting the workers who operate them,” said Dobrowney.
Residents can learn more and send a letter here: 47.cupe.ca/fairdeal
