Health professionals from various parts of the province gathered in front of Saskatchewan’s provincial legislature to voice their concerns about working conditions, salaries, staffing retention, and the urgent need for a new contract. The president of the largest health-care union in Saskatchewan, Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 5430, Bashir Jalloh, mentioned that even members from remote areas like La Ronge participated in the protest.
Three unions collaborated for the demonstration – CUPE 5430, Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union, and Service Employees International Union-West, representing a total of approximately 28,000 health-care workers across 200 different roles in Saskatchewan. These workers have been without a contract since March 2023.
SEIU-West president Lisa Zunti expressed frustration, stating that workers feel undervalued and disrespected, especially as they continue to face daily challenges while striving to uphold their professional standards. Zunti urged the government to engage in sincere negotiations and address the issues at hand promptly.
Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill acknowledged the workers’ sentiments, emphasizing the government’s commitment to negotiating in good faith. Despite the slow progress in bargaining, Cockrill assured that additional negotiation dates have been scheduled, aiming to reach a mutually beneficial agreement with the workers, although discussions on pay have not yet commenced.
Tracey Sauer, the president of SGEU, voiced her dissatisfaction with the prolonged negotiations, highlighting the absence of discussions on salary despite more than two years of talks. Sauer pointed out that workers have seen minimal pay increases since 2002, leading to financial challenges for many like Amy Scott, a Wascana Rehabilitation Centre employee in Regina, who emphasized the need to save money diligently in the face of stagnant wages and contract uncertainties.
