The chopping block: Which Sask. workers are getting cut in advance of budget

This week, the Saskatchewan government announced layoffs to cleaning staff, Executive Air employees and Sask Gaming workers.

The cuts amountto an estimated savings of close to $5 million on a projected $1.2-billiondeficit.

Here's the breakdown of who has lost their job so far:

Cleaners cut

Jobs lost:230.
Estimated savings:$3.5 million annually, beginning next year.

On Monday, the government laid off 230 unionized cleaners.

A dozen private companies were selectedto take over cleaning 95 government buildings.

• Union calls privatized Sask. government cleaning services 'a mean-spirited move'

Those companies have said they will hire the former employees but they won't have to pay them what they were making. Six of the companieswill be made up of former employees.

The Ministry of Central Servicescalculated the current cost for cleaning services at $11 million; it said the private sector cost is $7.5 million.

Severance payments will cost $3 million.

That means thegovernmentestimatesit will save $3.5 million starting next year.

Airplanes grounded

Jobs lost:Nine.
Estimated savings:$700,000 to $1 million.

On Thursday, the Ministry of Central Services announced it would be shutting downits Executive Air service.

Since 1965, the provincial government has used the air service to fly MLAs, the lieutenant-governor and senior government officials across the province.

• Provincial government eliminates Executive Air service

A dozen workers are affected,nineof whom have received layoff notices.

According to the ministry, air travel has already been significantly curtailed. There were only 165 flights in 2016, compared to 595 flights 10 years ago.

Officials projectsaving between $700,000 to $1 million in the next year.

Gaming workers let go

Jobs lost:Three.
Estimated savings: $295,000.

The pre-budget cuts continued as Sask Gaming reduced its responsible gaming unit from five positions to one laying off three people for an estimatedsavings of nearly $295,000.

The minister responsible,Christine Tell, saidall employees at Casino Moose Jaw and Regina are trained to deal with problem gamblers.

"What Sask Gaming is doing is utilizing all those people. Instead of having set people, they are using the staff that are on the floor."

Job losses in Ministry of Environment

Jobs lost:5.9 full-time equivalent positions.
Estimated savings: Unknown.

A government spokesperson confirmed that nine positions at the Ministry of Environment have been affected by a "reorganization."

"The changes to the ministry's structure will better position it to focus on client-centred service, find efficiencies and strengthen key policies, and align with the needs of government as a whole, including the fiscal realities of the province," said a government spokesperson in a written statement.

Nine positions are affected but the ministry said other jobswill be created, resulting in a reduction of 5.9 full-time equivalent positions.