Saskatchewan’s Health Provider Unions came to the legislature today to call for a new contract. Members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Service Employees International Union-West (SEIU-WEST), and the Saskatchewan Government & General Employees’ Union (SGEU) gathered on the steps of the legislature to call for a new collective bargaining agreement three years after the previous agreement expired.

“We’re standing here today at the legislature to send the provincial government a message: Saskatchewan health-care workers deserve a fair deal,” said Bashir Jalloh, President of CUPE 5430. “Health care providers have gone three and half years without a wage increase, consistently work short-staffed, and are leaving the profession. It’s time for this to end.”

Leaders from the three unions cited issues with stagnant wages, barriers to recruiting and retaining health care workers, problems with the new Administrative Information Management System (AIMS) pay system, and worker burnout. Negotiations with the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO) and the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) to address these issues are ongoing.

“We’re seeing the problems with AIMS cause even more stress for our members ,” says SEIU-West President, Lisa Zunti. “Add on the slow pace of bargaining and lack of increases, they are having serious problems making ends meet right now.”

The visit of health care providers came at the same time as Health Care Provider Week is underway in Saskatchewan. SGEU President Tracey Sauer called for more than words to recognize these workers’ contribution.

“This recognition needs to go beyond statements or social media posts,” said Sauer, who is a health care worker herself. “True recognition means seeing the struggle of health care workers, our members, and government committing to solutions to strengthen our health care system. Both at and beyond the bargaining table.”

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