CUPE Local 600 says the Government of Saskatchewan has walked away from the negotiating table. The union says the government has also dug in its heels with an insulting wage offer, saying it’s less than what other unions have received and less that what out-of-scope managers received. The local represents 380 workers who work for the Community Living Service Delivery branch of the Ministry of Social Services and Ministry of Central Services.

The local is not in a legal strike position yet but says it is exploring all additional avenues at its disposal up to an including job action.

In a release, the union says recent changes to how the provincial government provides services for people living with intellectual disabilities is putting more pressure on workers and contributing to the labour unrest. The local says it wanted to present Social Services Deputy Minister Tammy Kirkland with information on the burnout problems and the rationale for a solution, but she refused to meet with them.