Citizens All workers ratify agreement in Moose Jaw

Raises range from $1.47 to $1.81 an hour over two years

Moose Jaw (16 August 2007) - Employees at Citizens All, an organization providing residential and support services to people with physical and intellectual disabilities, have ratified a two-year tentative agreement reached in July.

The 44 staff members, represented by the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union (SGEU/NUPGE), were off the job for 57 days.

"We were able to obtain wage increases that are significantly higher than the employer's initial wage offer," says Citizens All spokesperson Larry McCrea. The increases range from $1.47 to $1.81 per hour over two years.

The Saskatchewan government, which provides funding for the agency, injected additional funds to enable the workers to receive the negotiated increase.

"We are pleased to have made some improvements in our wages," says McCrea. "Our jobs have traditionally been undervalued and underpaid compared to employees who do equivalent work in government or health care sectors. Every gain we make helps to close the wage gap." NUPGE

More information:

• SGEU ad campaign draws attention to Citizens All lockout
• SGEU strike alert page
• Exploited Citizens All workers picket legislature in Regina