In a March 23 news release, Finance Minister Ken Krawetz tabled a budget that listed a $53.4 million surplus. Minister Krawetz stated that Saskatchewan's economy is expected to lead the nation this year. So why is the Wall government refusing to share our wealth with the workers that make this province great?
It took two years of bargaining for CUPE, SEIU-West and SGEU to settle their contract with only a 9.5 per cent general wage increase. It took two years for the Saskatchewan Medical Association to negotiate an 11 per cent fee increase. The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan union is currently on rotating strikes after two years of failed contract negations. The Saskatchewan Teacher's Federation is currently taking job action, something that they haven't had to do for 78 years. Fifteen times in the last 19 years teachers accepted a contract that offered less than the rate of inflation. Many times the teachers accepted a zero per cent contract because the government was broke.
However, the government has no problem rewarding healthcare managers like the CEO of the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region who recently received a 60 per cent pay increase or the Saskatoon Health region CEO who received a 40 per cent increase. These raises are being justified because of the stated need to make the position financially comparable to other positions in Canada. Yet when the unions use the same reasoning to justify their requested pay increase, they are told that is not reasonable.
It is time for the Wall government to recognize that the economic prosperity of this province is because of its people. It is time for the government to support its professional employees and recognize the true value of what they provide to this province.
Crystal Kuras
Tisdale
