REGINA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is condemning a threat by Regina City unions and the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour to disrupt the Canada Summer Games with a strike.

On Friday, July 8 the Regina Leader Post reported the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour is requesting that all union members and games volunteers not cross picket lines at city facilities - including Lawson Centre, Taylor Field, and Douglas Park.

The CTF is calling on city union leaders to make their salary demands public so that taxpayers can judge for themselves. To date, union leaders haven't made their demands public, only confirming that "money is the issue."

"City unions should not be rewarded for threatening an important event in our province's centennial year," said CTF Saskatchewan director David MacLean. "If the unions follow though on this threat the will have broken a trust with Regina taxpayers. They will have abused their monopoly on labour to further their own interests at a time when the province is seeking to improve its reputation and stature as a place to live and do business. This must not stand."

"Our elected officials must stand firm in their resolve and immediately make arrangements for replacement workers," added MacLean. "If the unions are spoiling for a fight while using citizens as pawns, then a fight is exactly what they should get."

Unions make the case for privatization
"This call-to-action by city unions clearly makes the case for the privatization of city services," said MacLean. "Not only is private delivery of services generally cheaper and more flexible, it also prevents this kind of labour monopoly. No one union should ever have the ability to threaten the health, safety and well-being of taxpayers."

"Our message is clear: Union leaders must do the right thing and withdraw this threat to disrupt the Canada Summer Games," added MacLean.