SGI union starts job action with overtime ban
The Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union (COPE) Local 397 that represents workers of Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) are starting a job action with a ban on overtime, starting Monday, July 11 at 8:00 am.
The overtime ban will be in place for SGI employees at all locations in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
“We understand that many Members are working overtime this weekend to deal with events such as the weather-related claims in Regina, Weyburn, Estevan and other areas,” a notice signed by COPE Local 397 President Garry Hamblin states. “We have deliberately chosen Monday, July 11, 2011 at 8:00 am to allow for maximum service to the public affected by these issues.”
The union has been without a contract since December 2009 and is addressing its concerns with wages. The union wants 9.85 per cent over three years, while the government is offering 5.5 per cent – the same offer it has made to several other unions.
“We do not choose this path of action lightly,” Hamblin wrote. “But the wage demand of CPI plus 1% we have left on the table is reasonable, fair and given that SGI made $48 million in profit last year, certainly not beyond their ability to pay.”
Earlier in the week, SGI said it was prepared to deal with a job action but said the overtime ban will be disruptive.
“A ban on overtime will cause customer service delays. We thank customers for their patience,” SGI wrote on its website.
“We currently have 2,500 auto hail claims from last weekend’s storm, 1,800 of those in Regina. We have many employees working overtime this weekend to provide damage estimates to our customers.”
The insurer said customers have the option of either waiting for a damage estimate from SGI or having an auto body shop of their choice provide them with a damage estimate. During normal working hours SGI staff will continue processing estimates per usual.
