CBO Workers - making a difference for people across Saskatchewan

For immediate release – November 6, 2019

Today, on CBO Worker Appreciation Day, SGEU, SEIU-West and CUPE thank the thousands of people who work at Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) across the province for the vital services they provide to Saskatchewan people in need. The three unions also call on the provincial government to commit to providing multi-year funding for Saskatchewan CBOs.

“I’m extremely proud of those who provide care and services for some of the most vulnerable residents of our province,” says SGEU President Bob Bymoen. “For many of these employees, their work is often more than a job, and they deserve to be recognized for all they do to make a positive difference in the lives of so many.”

Despite their critical role, CBOs must make do with very limited funds, and must try to plan ahead without knowing how the next provincial budget will affect them. The absence of adequate, long-term funding has created a precarious financial situation for CBOs. They are unable to pay their frontline staff wages that keep up with inflation, and this negatively affects their ability to recruit and retain staff.

 “The CBO sector is an immensely valuable one, and it’s filled with compassionate people who often work in extremely challenging situations,” says SEIU-West President Barbara Cape. “I’m pleased that the provincial government has proclaimed this day to highlight the dedication and skills that CBO workers bring to their communities.”

SGEU, SEIU-West and CUPE Saskatchewan call on the Government of Saskatchewan to provide adequate, multi-year funding to Saskatchewan CBOs, thereby ensuring stable programming and adequate staffing levels are available to meet the varied needs of Saskatchewan’s most vulnerable people.

CUPE Saskatchewan President Tom Graham adds, “Our province has benefitted significantly from the work done by those employed by CBOs over the years. It’s important to acknowledge the vital care CBO workers provide to people of all ages and abilities. Many of these people need help while facing serious issues in their lives – and CBO workers are there for them.”

Saskatchewan people can add their voices for stable, reliable funding in the CBO sector by visiting SaskPeopleWhoCare.org to send an email to the Ministers of Social Services, Education, Health, and Justice.

SGEU, CUPE and SEIU-West represent Community-Based Organization (CBO) workers in approximately 80 agencies across the province, and have been working together for more than a decade to support and promote workers in this sector. CBOs are non-profit groups that fill in the gaps when direct government programs don’t meet the needs of Saskatchewan people. Among their many roles, people who work in this sector provide support and care for people living with disabilities; deliver addictions counselling and services; respond to domestic violence calls and provide shelter and guidance to families in crisis; engage in suicide intervention, provide emergency child care; help people find employment, and more.

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For more information, contact:

Evie Ruddy
Communications Officer, SGEU
Phone: 306-550-1146

Christine Miller
Communications Coordinator, SEIU-West
Phone: 306.652.1011 x 8733

Nathan Markwart
Executive Assistant, CUPE Saskatchewan
Phone: 306-537-9426