June 24, 2011 SGEU President Views Flooded Farms as a Window of Opportunity for His Union Weyburn-Big Muddy

MLA Disgusted by Callous Remark Weyburn-Big Muddy MLA Dustin Duncan said he is disgusted that Saskatchewan Government Employees Union (SGEU) President Bob Bymoen views this years flooding and the devastation facing farmers as a window of opportunity for his union. In a news interview yesterday regarding the current strike by unionized Crop Insurance workers, Bymoen said: Theres a window of opportunity here where they can put pressure on the employer and theyre accessing that opportunity. Duncan said the flooded-out farmers in his constituency are not SGEUs window of opportunity. At a time when so many farmers are looking at little or no farm income this year, Mr. Bymoen has decided that now is the time to add to the problem by going on strike, Duncan said. It is a disgusting comment. Duncan said he fully supports Premier Brad Walls decision to recall the Legislature to end the strike. Premier Wall toured our area on Monday and he saw the devastation first-hand, Duncan said. He understands that our farmers need the Crop Insurance coverage they paid for and they need their claims processed as quickly as possible. Thats why he is taking action to stand with our farm families. In contrast, NDP MLA Kevin Yates said the strike wouldnt actually make much of a difference for farmers. I didnt know until I did some significant research as to what the real impact is, as an example of the strike going on for a few more days for farmers, and finding out that it wouldnt actually delay things for farmers, Yates said. Mr. Yates is just plain wrong, Duncan said. With only 44 per cent of the crop seeded in south-east Saskatchewan and over 6,000 unseeded acreage claims already in province-wide, this strike will cause a significant delay in payments. Once again, the NDP is turning its back on farmers and rural Saskatchewan just like they did for 16 years in government. I think Saskatchewan farmers are going to remember this for a long, long time. -30-

For more information, please contact: Lisa Mrazek (306) 787-4300