SEIU-West and the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO) have tentatively reached a collective agreement after three and a half years without a ratified contract.
The two organizations now have 60 days to ratify the agreement, and SEIU-West members will now meet through video and teleconference to review before proceeding to vote to accept the terms offered.
“Bargaining in the midst of a worldwide pandemic has been challenging. For the SEIU-West bargaining committee, ensuring the work our members do on the front line of this pandemic is recognized has been our priority,” said SEIU-West president Barbara Cape, in a press release.
SEIU-West represents 11,500 members working in numerous health care roles, including clerical and administrative, maintenance, laboratory and diagnostics, patient care and therapy, and more.
Union members have been without a collective agreement since March 2017, and have been very vocal about facing issues that have been exacerbated by new pandemic safety measures now in place.
“Unfortunately, this agreement cannot by itself address the critical understaffing situation in the sector,” said Cape. “We need real collaboration between government, the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the Unions so we can make substantial improvements in the system.”
SEIU-West members recently underwent a series of public protests across the province, including picketing outside of several Moose Jaw care homes in September, to call on the government to invest in front line service.
“I am very pleased to see the collaborative efforts made by both parties to reach an agreement providing stability in important health services during this challenging time of a pandemic,” said Health Minister Paul Merriman, in a provincial press release. “SEIU-West members are highly valued members of our health care teams and are relied on by Saskatchewan residents and I would like to thank them for their dedication.”
Details about the potential agreement cannot be released until after SEIU-West members have voted.
