600 positions lost, contracting out increases.
from the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union
Cuts of public service workers in this year's budget will hurt families and communities as frontline services are eroded while costs will escalate because of contracting out, says SGEU.
Approximately 600 positions will be lost over the next year, leaving gaps in service and forcing government ministries to contract out work that still needs to be done — but at a higher cost to taxpayers, according to SGEU President Bob Bymoen.
“In highways, parks, information technology services and other areas, we have seen government contracting out work to private businesses. Costs will be higher because companies need to make a profit to stay in business, and it’s Saskatchewan families who are paying the price,” said Bymoen.
"Children at risk and vulnerable families will be hurt by the loss of 43 staff in Social Services. There will be 89 positions eliminated from Highways, 45 positions cut from Agriculture, and another 148 jobs will be lost in Central Services," according to Bymoen.
No layoff notices have yet been issued. The cuts are slated for the 2013-2014 fiscal year.
"Government must be accountable for both the quality of services delivered to Saskatchewan families and the cost of providing those services," said Bymoen.
Government does not disclose the cost of paying external engineering companies to design new roads and bridges–work that used to be performed by public service staff. It does not disclose the cost of paying private contractors to provide information technology services, or maintenance services in our provincial parks, he said.
"Government's operating expenses have increased by 10 per cent every year for the past three years–even though it has been cutting jobs by four per cent in each of those years. We need government to be transparent and accountable for the costs of contracting out of public services."
About Saskatchewan Government Employees Union
Our 22,000 SGEU members live and work in almost every region of the province.
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