Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corp. workers will not work weekends or overtime while in a legal strike position.
However, acting general manager Shawn Jaques said that won’t affect service to farmers.
About 520 workers, who are members of the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union, voted 86 percent in favour of a strike mandate during 21 meetings in May.
On June 3, they began working only 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, under a directive from the union.
“We are interested in reaching a negotiated settlement with SCIC,” said Alan Evans, co-chair of the negotiating committee.
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“We want to continue to provide the farmers of Saskatchewan with prompt and efficient delivery of their insurance requirements. However, we cannot do this if we are not valued for our work.”
Workers, who include all adjusters, have been without a contract since September 2009. They have been offered 5.5 percent over three years.
SGEU president Bob Bymoen called the offer inadequate and said there is no reason why workers shouldn’t receive 7.75 percent over three years. The workers hope that their action will provide incentive for a settlement.
Jaques said the corporation and union had been bargaining for five months before strike notice was filed May 27.
“Crop insurance wants to let producers know that for now regular services will continue in a normal manner and all efforts will be made to ensure that SCIC will continue to serve Saskatchewan farmers.”
The companyintends to continue negotiating, he added.
