Radio advertisements have started airing in Saskatchewan sending a message to Premier Brad Wall to “back away from the phone” in his bid to sell SaskTel.

The radio ads are sponsored by the province’s largest telecom union, Unifor. The ads, which are available online, highlight the value of having a publicly-owned carrier. In a statement, Unifor Western Director Joie Warnock said:

“Brad Wall is reaching well beyond the mandate he has from voters. In the election he explicitly told voters that he would not privatize SaskTel.

SaskTel is an outstanding crown corporation that is staffed by talented and committed workers. SaskTel should remain what it always has been: a solid service that is owned by the people of Saskatchewan, for the people of Saskatchewan.”

During the past few weeks, Wall has been thinking about what would happen if private corporations made offers for SaskTel.

[via CNW]