Saskatchewan correctional workers walk out: union
Jail guards across Saskatchewan walked off the job Wednesday night after contract talks between the union and the province broke down.
The Mounties have been called in to replace the striking guards.
About 13,000 members of the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees Union have been in a legal strike position since Saturday, but the two sides remained at the bargaining table throughout the week trying to hammer out a deal.
Earlier this week, the union said some progress had been made, but on Wednesday evening, a message on SGEU's strike information hotline said no substantial improvements had resulted and a series of rotating strikes would begin, starting at 11 p.m. CT.
Unionized workers were being withdrawn from jails in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Youth facilities in Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Fort Qu'Appelle, North Battleford and Yorkton were also being struck, as was a correctional centre in Buffalo Narrows.
Asked about the possibility of a strike last week, government officials said contingency plans were in place.
Correctional workers at federal institutions, including the Saskatchewan Penitentiary in Prince Albert, are represented by a different union and are not affected by the strike.
The union said last week it was looking for a pay increase of 27 per cent over three years, while the provincial government is offering 9.5 per cent.
The union said bargaining would begin again at 9 a.m. Thursday.
The current contract expired Sept. 30. The public service and general employment bargaining unit of the union includes snow plow operators, jail guards, child protection workers and office workers.
