Media Releases

Provincial government must implement sweeping COVID-19 response focused on workers

“Now is not the time for half-measures or boutique benefits that apply to narrow groups of people. It’s time for a comprehensive, sweeping response to COVID-19 that focuses on the real wealth-creators in our economy – working people,” said SFL President Lori Johb, “workers are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, and their families are starting to feel the economic pain of self-isolation, lost shifts, childcare, businesses closing their doors, and only limited responses from the provincial government to help,” she added.

SFL STATEMENT - Update from the Saskatchewan Federation of labour on COVID-19

Provincial budget must include COVID-19 economic plan for workers and the public

The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) is calling on the provincial government to deliver a budget on Wednesday that includes a COVID-19 economic plan for workers and the public.

Paid sick days for Saskatchewan workers needed to fight COVID19 pandemic

The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) is calling on the provincial government to quickly adopt a law for paid sick days for Saskatchewan workers.

Fatalities and Serious Injuries Strategy is a good first step to safer workplaces

December 2, 2019 New Fatalities and Serious Injuries Strategy is a good first step to safer workplaces Nearly a year to the day since the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) first called for a robust strategy to address workplace deaths and injuries, the new strategy released by WorkSafe Saskatchewan is a good first step to safer workplaces. “While it took longer than we had hoped, the federation of labour is happy to see the release of this new strategy,” said SFL President Lori Johb, “working people were consulted throughout the process of developing the new strategy, and I truly believe the professionals at the Saskatchewan WCB really do want to address the crisis we are seeing in workplace deaths and injuries in this province,” she added. Based on a new WCB internal definition of a serious injury, 22,594 Saskatchewan workers suffered a serious injury from 2010-2018. In that same time period, 354 fatalities were accepted by the WCB. “No worker should ever be killed or injured as a result of their job,” said Johb, “we have a long way to go; it’s our hope this strategy will point our province in the right direction,” she added. While the new strategy includes many aspects to be optimistic about, there are a number of things the provincial government can do right now to help create safer workplaces: Publish all incident and investigation reports online; Require OH&S committees to file meeting minutes with the OH&S Division; Review how WorkSafe’s Mission: Zero enforces its Health and Safety Leadership Charter; Update and expand the Young Worker Readiness Certificate course, and move the course from being from online to being delivered and tested in-person, and; Expand rights to include the right to refuse unsafe work on behalf of someone else. – 30 – For additional information, contact: Kent Peterson Strategic Advisor Saskatchewan Federation of Labour 1 (306) 570-1855 k.peterson@sfl.sk.ca

Four paths forward to address Saskatchewan’s workplace fatalities and injuries crisis

The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) is calling on the provincial government to immediately take action on four important paths forward to address Saskatchewan’s workplace fatalities and injuries crisis:

Canada’s labour leaders encourage premiers to embrace universal pharmacare

SASKATOON – The presidents of federations of labour from across the country are in Saskatoon during the Council of the Federation meeting to encourage Canada’s premiers to embrace a public, single-payer, universal pharmacare program.

Saskatchewan Federation of Labour helps secure paid leave from work for survivors of domestic violence

“Paid leave from work for survivors of domestic violence will save lives, as it’s one additional tool survivors can use when they flee an abuser,” said SFL President Lori Johb, “the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, our affiliated unions, and the Saskatchewan New Democrats have been advocating for this for years – I’m glad the provincial government has finally agreed with us and passed this legislation,” she added.

International Workers’ Day, May Day, an opportunity to expand rights for workers

“International Workers’ Day, or May Day, is a celebration of the working class and our many accomplishments around the world, and here at home,” said SFL president Lori Johb, “we are recognizing today renewing our fight to expand the rights of working people, and winning a number of important battles ahead of us,” she added.

On National Day of Mourning SFL renews calls for swift action on Worker Fatalities Crisis Strategy

Every April 28th, workers mourn those who have been injured or killed on the job. This Day of Mourning, the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) is once again calling on the provincial government to swiftly address the worker fatalities crisis in Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan’s labour movement forms Solidarity Committee to help striking Saskatoon Co-op workers

Leaders from unions across the province have come together to form a Solidarity Committee aimed at helping striking Saskatoon Co-op workers get a fair deal from their employer.

Budget misses the mark on creating good jobs

The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) is disappointed in today’s provincial budget. “The Sask. Party government missed an opportunity to create the good jobs that our economy needs,” said SFL President Lori Johb, “good jobs are long-term, pay a decent wage, include benefits, and allow people to retire with dignity,” she added.