SGEU, province ratify memorandum of agreement

More than three years after the previous agreement expired, the Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union (SGEU) have ratified a memorandum of agreement.

The union held ratification votes over the past month, from Oct. 7 until Wednesday. According to the SGEU, almost 70 per cent of those who voted were in favour of the deal.

The union said representatives of the Public Service/Government Employment (PS/GE) negotiating committee and the government now will attempt to “finalize and sign” the collective bargaining agreement. The deal is to expire on Sept. 30, 2022.

Negotiations have been going on since the previous agreement expired in October of 2016.

The new agreement, which is retroactive to Oct. 1, 2016, includes annual wage increases of zero per cent, zero per cent, one per cent, two per cent (with a combination of pension and general wage increases), two per cent and two per cent over a six-year term.

“I am pleased with both parties’ commitment and co-operation in working to reach a new collective agreement,” Ken Cheveldayoff, the minister responsible for the Public Service Commission, said in a media release.

“Our priority was to reach an agreement that was good for public service employees and the people we serve — the citizens of Saskatchewan.”

The union represents about 11,000 employees, including highway traffic officers and equipment operators, parks staff, correctional officers, conservation officers, social workers, finance auditors, and administrative staff.

“Thank you to members for your patience, support, and input over the course of this lengthy negotiation process,” Lori Bossaer, the acting chair of the union’s negotiating committee, said in a media release.