Who are the SFUR and CURC?
The Saskatchewan Federation of Union Retirees (SFUR) is a provincial affiliate of the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada (CURC) which is the independent senior wing of the Canadian Labour Congress, representing retired members of the labour movement.

What do we do?
CURC and SFUR members, through group action, lobby at all levels of the government to introduce legislation to improve the health and welfare of all retirees and cooperate with other organizations for seniors that share our objectives on mutual campaigns and long-term goals.

Who can join?
Anyone over 50 years of age, who has been a member of any Canadian Labour Congress affiliated union at any time in their working years (or is presently a member of a union) can join. Spouses are also welcome to join.

How much is the membership fee?
The annual membership fee is $15 per person per year and is tax deductible.

How do I join or find out more about the SFUR?
Contact the Saskatchewan Federation of Union Retirees (SFUR) c/o Blake McGrath (Saskatchewan Chair) at 306.664.3305.

SFUR Reports

Summer/Fall 2007 Report
by Blake McGrath
Chair, Saskatchewan Federation of Union Retirees (SFUR)

The recent report that announced that Saskatchewan leads all of Canada in the number of seniors per capita came as no surprise to the Saskatchewan Federation of Union Retirees (SFUR). The lifestyle afforded by and benefits of living in this province is abundantly superior to anywhere else in Canada, if not the world. The New Democratic Government, and the CCF before them, has proven to be a true government for the people. From the days of providing electricity to all in the province, communication through telephones for everyone, universal Medicare, and transportation, to the most recent initiatives undertaken by the Lorne Calvert NDP, the people of Saskatchewan have always benefited the most.

The Seniors’ Drug Plan is the most recent in a long list of firsts initiated by the NDP government. The efforts of this government to manage the new found wealth that comes from being a “have” province are to be commended. Major improvement has been addressed in housing, education, a family holiday in February, workers’ safety, PST reduced to 5%, development and growth of the province, to name a few in a long and comprehensive list of improvements. No group of our society has been left out.

The Congress of Union Retirees of Canada (CURC) and the SFUR, with the Canadian Health Coalition (CHC) will continue to lobby for a pharmacare plan for all Canadians. We believe all Canadian people need a drug plan that is part of Medicare. The Saskatchewan government recognized the need for a drug plan for seniors and implemented such a plan; perhaps Saskatchewan will lead the way again as we did with Medicare years ago.

CURC hosted a National Convention at the Travelodge Hotel in Ottawa on October 15 and 16, 2007.  The SFUR Annual Convention took place in Saskatoon on October 25, 2007 at TCU Place. There was a variety of speakers addressing topics of interest to retirees, resolutions were presented, debated and voted upon, and some officers were elected. It was a great opportunity to participate in setting the direction for the SFUR, meet old friends and make new ones.