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Sask. health care employees kept waiting by SAHO

'This process has taken far too long. We feel as if SAHO is holding our collective agreement hostage.' - SGEU's Bonnie Erickson.

Regina (26 Aug. 2009) - Saskatchewan's 25,000 health care providers will finally see an “initial” wage offer from the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO) next month, 17 months after their collective agreements expired.

The Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union (SGEU/NUPGE), one of three unions representing the employees, says notice has been received from SAHO that it will present a monetary package at a common bargaining table on Sept. 15.

The unions, which also include the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), are disappointed that SAHO and the province's Saskatchewan Party government have been so slow.

“This process has taken far too long,” says Bonnie Erickson, SGEU's negotiating committee chair. “We feel as if SAHO is holding our collective agreement hostage. We can only hope that after so many delays, SAHO makes a reasonable wage offer – one that recognizes the contribution of our members to the health care system.”

The 25,000 workers represented by the three unions include special care aides, licensed practical nurses, food services workers, laundry, housekeeping and activity personnel, maintenance, administrative, clerical, therapeutic and recreational workers and medical technologists and technicians.

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE