Improvements to compensation, performance plans sought: Unifor
Workers at DirectWest voted to strike on July 31, as the list of strike mandates at Saskatchewan Crown corporations continues to grow.
“Crown workers are sending a strong message to Premier Scott Moe: if a 2.3 per cent increase is good enough for MLAs, it’s good enough for public employees,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor national president.
SaskTel and SecurTek workers voted in favour of a strike earlier this month. Workers at seven Crowns have expired collective agreements, said the union.
Saskatchewan legislators — who make more than $100,000 per year — recently received a 2.3 per cent cost of living increase. Crown corporation workers facing the same rising costs are being offered much less, according to Unifor.
DirectWest is a subsidiary of SaskTel that produces the telephone directory and digital advertising. The 50 Unifor members are spread across Regina and Saskatoon. The bargaining committee is seeking improvements to several non-monetary items including the sales compensation plan, performance improvement plans as well as fair compensation, said the union.
A provincial mediator has been assigned and meetings could take place in August.