The Day of Action, organized by CUPE, SGEU and SEIU saw workers from child care centres, group homes, vocational training centres and womens shelters mobilizing around the campaign theme Were Worth More!
A recent study showed these workers, the vast majority women, earn on average $10.00 less an hour than people doing work of equal value in the public service. Years of behind the scenes discussion with government have been virtually fruitless, so members from all three unions decided to go public.
In Yorkton, child care and group home workers delivered a package of peanuts and a letter to MLA Clay Serbys office. Holding a bouquet of Up With Womens Wages balloons, CUPE 3683 president Val explained: We want him to know that were tired of being paid peanuts, so were returning them and demanding that we be paid what were worth.
In Prince Albert, North Battleford and Nipawin, members rallied, leafleted and picketed their local MLAs office. CUPE 3370 president Joanne Morin said, we realize our employers are starved for funds and its up to the provincial government to provide more money to our agencies, not just in Nipawin, but across Saskatchewan. Its time.
Commenting on the days success, community services sector chair Joanne Mountney said, They know now that were not going away. Today marks the end of our invisibility.