ISC and SGEU Secure Five-Year Deal, Balancing Wages and Stability

REGINA, SK – March 03, 2026 – Information Services Corporation (ISC) and the Saskatchewan Government & General Employees’ Union (SGEU) have announced the ratification of a new five-year collective agreement, charting a course of labour stability until late 2030 while providing significant wage increases for union members. The deal, which covers in-scope employees under SGEU Local 2214, is being hailed by both sides as a landmark achievement that secures essential public services and addresses the economic pressures facing workers.

A Pact for Long-Term Stability

The agreement, effective retroactively from October 1, 2025, and extending to September 30, 2030, provides a rare half-decade of certainty in an often-volatile labour landscape. For ISC, a publicly-traded company that manages critical public data and records—including Saskatchewan’s land titles, corporate, and personal property registries—this stability is paramount. Any disruption to these foundational services could ripple through the province's economy, affecting real estate transactions, legal proceedings, and corporate financing.

The long-term nature of the deal ensures that these vital operations will continue uninterrupted by contract negotiations or potential job action for the foreseeable future. This was a key point emphasized by ISC's leadership.

“This agreement enhances the stability of our registry operations and reflects the strong partnership we have with SGEU,” said Shawn Peters, President and CEO of ISC, in a statement. “The new collective agreement reinforces our commitment to supporting our people and allows us to stay focused on delivering best in class service.”

This sentiment is particularly significant for a company whose mandate is to be a reliable steward of public information. The five-year term allows ISC to focus on its strategic goals, including sustaining its core business and pursuing growth opportunities, without the looming uncertainty of annual or biennial contract talks.

Addressing the Rising Cost of Living

At the heart of the agreement for the union is a wage package designed to help its members keep pace with inflation. The deal stipulates annual wage increases of 3 per cent retroactive to October 2025, followed by 3 per cent in 2026, 3 per cent in 2027, and 2 per cent in both 2028 and 2029.

These figures are notable when placed in the context of Canada's economic climate. With the Bank of Canada aiming for a 2 per cent inflation target in 2025 and beyond, the initial three years of the agreement provide increases that outpace this target. This directly addresses the core concern voiced by the union's bargaining committee.

“This is an agreement that helps our members meet the rising cost of living,” stated SGEU's ISC Bargaining Chair, Steve LaVallee. “Our union is proud of the advances we’ve made in this workplace. We're grateful for the strong support of our members through this process.”

The increases reflect a broader push by SGEU across the province to secure what it has termed "catch-up" wages for its members. Following a period where wage settlements lagged behind cumulative inflation, recent union negotiations have prioritized meaningful increases to restore workers' purchasing power. Saskatchewan's Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 1.8% in the year leading up to January 2026, but the memory of higher inflation in previous years has remained a powerful motivator at the bargaining table.

A Bellwether for Saskatchewan's Labour Scene?

The ISC-SGEU settlement does not exist in a vacuum and is being closely watched as a potential indicator for other public and quasi-public sector negotiations across Saskatchewan. The wage pattern—front-loaded with 3 per cent increases before settling at 2 per cent—is comparable to, and in some aspects more favorable than, other recent major agreements.

For instance, SGEU’s largest bargaining unit, the Public Service/Government Employment (PS/GE) group representing 11,000 provincial employees, recently ratified a three-year deal with increases of 3%, 3%, and 1.67%. Other Crown corporations have seen similar patterns, with SaskPower and SaskGaming employees securing deals that included 3% and 2% raises.

The five-year duration of the ISC deal, however, sets it apart from the more common three-year terms seen recently. This long-term commitment suggests a high degree of confidence from both management and the union, and it may signal a trend toward seeking longer periods of stability, particularly in sectors providing essential services. The successful and collaborative negotiation process at ISC stands in contrast to more protracted talks elsewhere, which have sometimes involved declarations of impasse before reaching a resolution. This agreement could serve as a model for how to achieve mutual goals without acrimony.

Balancing the Books: An Investor and Operational Outlook

For investors tracking ISC on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:ISC), the announcement is a mixed but largely positive signal. On one hand, the five years of guaranteed labour peace de-risks the company's operations significantly. It removes the threat of work stoppages and allows for predictable long-term financial planning, which is often rewarded by the market.

On the other hand, the wage increases represent a direct and recurring rise in operational costs. These expenses will need to be managed and absorbed by the company. Analysts will be watching ISC's future quarterly reports to see how these increased labour costs impact profit margins and overall financial performance. The company's ability to offset these costs through operational efficiencies, service price adjustments, or new revenue growth will be a key performance indicator.

However, in the specialized field of information management, investing in a skilled and stable workforce is often seen as a strategic imperative rather than a simple cost. Retaining experienced employees who manage sensitive public data is crucial for maintaining service quality, security, and public trust. In this light, the new collective agreement can be framed as a critical investment in the human capital that underpins ISC's entire value proposition. The stability it provides allows the company to continue its mission of managing, securing, and administering information effectively for clients and the public alike.

The agreement solidifies the partnership between the corporation and its unionized workforce, setting a stable foundation for navigating the economic and technological challenges of the next five years.