GOVERNMENT AND SGEU RATIFY PUBLIC SERVICE AGREEMENT

The tentative settlement between the Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union (SGEU) has been ratified by both parties.

"I am pleased that we now have a collective agreement in place for this important public service union," Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission June Draude said. "I'd like to thank everyone involved for their work in negotiating this deal."

The agreement provides employment security for permanent full-time and labour service employees, enhances flexibility in staffing and offers a recruitment and retention policy for Northern Saskatchewan and other selected areas.

"This addresses a number of important issues," Draude said. "It's a fair and balanced contract for the union, the government, and most importantly, the people of Saskatchewan whom we all serve."

The agreement, which covers about 10,000 public service employees in government ministries, extends three years from October 1, 2009 to September 30, 2012. It provides for annual increases of 1.5 per cent, 2 per cent and 2 per cent respectively.

Draude noted this agreement represents one of the shortest periods of time from the expiration of one contract to the ratification of the next in the last 20 years.

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For more information, contact:

Colleen Hawkesford
Public Service Commission
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5581
Email: colleen.hawkesford@gov.sk.ca