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CUPE Local 3736 gives North Sask Laundry fond farewell

Oct 4, 2015 | 3:47 PM

Members of CUPE Local 3736 met Saturday to give the soon-to-be-unemployed workers of North Sask Laundry a final farewell.

More than 40 workers and supporters turned out at the Elks Lodge for a barbeque from 12 p.m.-2:30 p.m..

President of CUPE Saskatchewan Tom Graham found it to be a sad day, but said he could hear chuckling and laughter as everyone caught up. “I guess they’ve accepted it, but it’s still a horrible thing.”

North Sask Laundry is being replaced by K-Bro Laundry, a private company run out of Alberta.

In total 79 workers, not including truck drivers and office staff, will be out of work.

Anita Labossiere, President of CUPE Local 3736, estimated that more than 75 per cent of North Sask employees had not found employment.

“People have broadened their search,” she said. “Some people are moving to Saskatoon. People are planning on moving for better jobs.”

CUPE Local 3736 and 4777 have been raising awareness about the closure of North Sask Laundry since it was announced, hosting rallies and events in Kinsmen Park and elsewhere around the city.

“It’s devastating to ourselves, our families and our community,” Labossiere said. “Privatization is a risky endeavour and it’s going to shrink the local economy.”

Graham has gotten hold of the un-redacted contract K-Bro signed with the province and is giving it a thorough read.

“We still don’t accept the government’s claim that they’re saving tens of millions of dollars. We suspect it’s going to save nothing and deteriorate service.”

Graham doesn’t know what will be privatized next, but he knows it’s coming.

He also suspects the increase of privatization has turned from being an ideological matter and become a financial one.

“We think it’s because they’re broke,” said Graham.

He cited the recent elimination of recess at some Regina schools to back up his claim.

In May three Regina schools moved the recess break to the beginning and end of the day, effectively shortening the school day.

Graham remembers his days as a student, and says that if he had to sit in class for two and a half hours he’d have gone crazy.

“It’s a direct result of a lack of funding,” he said. “It’s the reason we’re also seeing increases in privatization. We’re now going to have to provide our services with our credit card.”

 

ssterritt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit