People First!
For Immediate Release, August 31, 2017
Saskatoon – Today SEIU-West members are holding a community BBQ in order to raise funds and awareness for the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre at the Co-op Food Store, located at 511 Wellman Crescent from 11:00am to 2:00pm.
“Our members are concerned about the growing pressure on food banks and those who rely on its services,” said Barbara Cape, President of SEIU-West. “With the latest budget, we’re seeing our vulnerable communities most impacted by the cuts and we are concerned that the number of food bank users will swell. So we hope our community will give generously at our BBQ and join us as we tell our government we do not accept their cuts.”
SEIU-West members will also be taking part in an action to demonstrate to the Saskatchewan Government that their cuts hurt Saskatchewan people.
“We’ve seen many people suffer since the budget was released. People will now have to pay out of pocket for services like podiatry, hearing aids, and travel immunizations,” continued Cape. “Many more are affected by the cuts to social services, including a reduction of the Transitional Employment Allowance rate and the cut to special need diet allowances.”
Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate is growing and our province already tops the food bank usage rates in Canada for children.
“Public sector workers, including our members who work as health services providers, are also facing proposed wage rollbacks while paying an increase in PST and a new tax on children’s clothing,” added Cape. “Our government must recognize that we cannot end or reduce poverty by pursuing an austerity agenda,”
SEIU-West represents more than 13,000 working people in the province of Saskatchewan. They include members who work in health care, education, municipalities, community-based organizations, retirement homes and other sectors. They are joined by one colour – purple – and one union – SEIU-West. Purple works in our communities! Visit www.PurpleWorks.ca to find out more about the members of SEIU-West.
– 30 –
For more information, contact:
Christine Miller, Communications Coordinator
Phone: 306-652-1011 ext. 8733
Latest posts
SEIU-West/
Lesbian Visibility Day
Lesbian Visibility Day is April 26 and the SEIU-West Gender and Sexual Diversity Committee is celebrating with a contest!
Apply to attend the Saskatchewan Association of Medical Radiation Technologists 2024 Conference
The SEIU-West Education Committee will be sponsoring up to two delegates to attend the Saskatchewan Association of Medical Radiation Technologists 2024 Conference on May 4th, 2024, at the Saskatoon Inn and Conference Centre at 2002 Airport Dr, Saskatoon.