“A slap in the face to workers prior to the Labour Day weekend”  

August 30, 2024

For immediate release

The Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union (SGEU) is condemning the Government of Saskatchewan’s decision to blame government employees for its ballooning deficit, calling it a slap in the face not only to unions but to all workers across the province – especially in the lead-up to Labour Day, a day meant to honour the contributions of working people.  

“It’s contemptible for the finance minister to blame workers for the provincial government’s own budget mistakes,” said SGEU President Tracey Sauer. “This isn’t the first time the government has been wildly inaccurate in its budget projections and fiscal planning. But, once again, it takes no responsibility for its errors and budget blunders.”  

Saskatchewan Finance Minister Donna Harpauer announced Thursday in her first quarter fiscal report for 2024-25 that the government’s projected deficit has increased from $273 million to $354 million. Harpauer claimed that the deficit increase was primarily a result of compensation costs related to a recently ratified contract with SGEU.  

“It’s high time for this government to examine its own actions and spending priorities when it comes to budgeting and the use of taxpayer dollars,” Sauer said. “Instead of blaming employees, perhaps the government needs to cut back on things like excessive international travel junkets for the premier and various cabinet ministers or special deals and handouts that primarily seem to benefit the government’s friends and political donors.”  

“Hardworking government employees are the ones that deliver the important programs and services that residents in every corner of our province need and deserve,” Sauer added. “These dedicated employees deserve a fair wage for the work they do.” 

SGEU’s Public Sector/Government Employment bargaining unit ratified a new contract with the government in July 2024 after almost two years of negotiations that saw the government hold firm on its wage offer. Employees received wage increases of 3% for 2022, 3% for 2023 and 1.67% for 2024 plus an upward wage adjustment affecting approximately two-thirds of employees in a class plan renewal brought forward by the government.  

“While government was quick to give MLAs and Cabinet Ministers hefty salary increases over the years, government employees were forced to accept minimal or zero wage hikes in successive contracts,” Sauer said. “Knowing that a long-expired collective agreement was likely to be settled this year, following a surge in inflation, surely the government would have included the cost of a wage increase in its budget estimates. Or did they expect employees who were without a contract since October 2021 to settle for no wage increases?” 

“Blaming the deficit on the fair compensation of public sector employees distracts from the real issue: the government’s lack of a balanced approach to financial and economic management,” Sauer noted. 

“We stand firm in our commitment to fighting for fair wages for SGEU members and all workers, especially in light of the skyrocketing cost of living that the provincial government has done little to resolve,” Sauer said. “This Labour Day, we call on the government to stop scapegoating those who serve this province and start focusing on real solutions for the people of Saskatchewan.

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For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:

Carolyn Rebeyka, Communications Officer

Phone: 306-519-2903

Email: crebeyka@sgeu.org

About SGEU

The Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union has been working together for Saskatchewan since 1913. Today, SGEU represents 20,000 members in six sectors across Saskatchewan. Visit sgeu.org to learn more.