(file photo/CJME News Staff)

By Andrew Shepherd/CJME News Staff

What to expect during a strike at Crown corporations

Sep 30, 2019 | 5:12 PM

With a possible strike looming at seven provincial Crown corporations, customers may notice a change in some areas of services provided.

The government said while it recognizes job action is part of the bargaining process and is the right of unions, it feels a strike is not in the best interest of the Crowns, Crown employees and the people of Saskatchewan.

Unifor represents approximately 4,300 to 4,400 Crown employees. In the event of a strike, essential services agreements and business continuity plans are in place at all Crowns to ensure vital services continue.

On Friday, the provincial government said Crown employers will be available on Monday to speak to essential services agreements and business continuity plans that are in place.

Here is what we know so far.

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SaskTel

If there is a strike by the nearly 3,000 unionized members at SaskTel, the Crown would enact its business continuity plan to limit the impact on customer service as much as possible, using its management to do work.

It’s not revealing many details of what that plan consists of or exactly how customer services will be affected as a result.

SaskTel said it will provide details on potential customer impacts once there is a job action.

SaskEnergy

There are 800 SaskEnergy employees represented by Unifor.

Because of the potential dangers of natural gas, SaskEnergy’s service technicians would be declared essential in the event of a strike.

The 24/7 emergency line will still be in operation and all emergency services will be running.

That includes emergencies such as a pipeline being struck, an underground leak, carbon monoxide call, providing regular support to fires, indoor/outdoor odors and line locates (Sask 1st Call).

In the event of a strike, SaskEnergy will not do line or meter installations to new homes or businesses. It will not be involved in any regular construction work or alterations for services such as moving a gas line if someone is building a deck.

The most noticeable impact to customers will be to those making general inquires over the phone. SaskEnergy’s main customer service phone line will not be in operation. Instead, it’s asking customers to leave a message or email the Crown and wait for a response. SaskEnergy said it will get back to every customer although it may take longer than usual.

Because of this, it’s encouraging customers to sign up and use the My Account feature online to monitor and manage their accounts themselves.

Customers will continue to receive their bills during a strike. If a customer has been disconnected for non-payment but makes the payment to continue service again, they will be reconnected.

SaskPower

If the power goes out, it will be restored by the regular line technicians. They are with a different union, International Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers (IBEW).

The Unifor members within SaskPower are mostly in the areas of administrative support and call centres.

SaskPower will still answer it’s customer service phone line but warns it might take longer than usual.

Like SaskEnergy, it’s encouraging customers to use it’s My Account online feature to view and pay bills.