Dear CUPE Health Care Members,

Your CUPE bargaining committee met with SAHO for three days this week. We were there to fight for what we all deserve: fair wages, safe staffing, and real respect on the job.

The biggest takeaway was that our rally on April 23 in front of the legislative building in Regina was successful.

SAHO appeared more prepared and engaged than previous rounds of bargaining. They were more committed to productive work at the bargaining table. Your solidarity is making a difference.

The three days were productive. We spent the sessions working to get a settlement on the proposals under Article 27 of our Collective Bargaining Agreement, which deals with hours of work. Making improvements to this language is a very important priority for our members, which will improve working conditions for many.

Hundreds of CUPE 5430 health care workers and supporters gathered at the Saskatchewan Legislature today to demand fair wages and respect for the frontline workers who keep the province’s health care system running.

Buses from across Saskatchewan brought workers from Prince Albert, Saskatoon, North Battleford, Yorkton, Estevan, Moosomin, and many rural communities. With signs, chants, and energy, the crowd sent a clear message: health care workers deserve better.

“Our members are the heart of the health care system but we are being overlooked and underpaid,” said Bashir Jalloh, president of CUPE 5430. “We show up every day for our patients. Today, we showed up for each other.”

CUPE 5430 has released a new report highlighting the urgent and growing crisis facing medical technologists and technicians across Saskatchewan. 

The report, entitled Still Waiting: Report on the Workload of CUPE Medical Technologists and Technicians in Saskatchewan, reveals that medical technologists and technicians are experiencing skyrocketing workloads, severe short staffing, and increasing risks to patient care.

“Medical technologists and technicians are physically exhausted, stressed, and burned out from increased workloads, short staffing and callbacks,” said Bashir Jalloh, the president of CUPE 5430 and a nuclear medical technologist. “We need urgent action from the government to ensure safe staffing levels, reduce workloads, and protect the quality of patient care.”

Medical Technologists and Technicians help diagnose patients through imaging tests like CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds. They also administer radiation treatments and conduct other tests integral to patient care.

Dear valued member:

Your CUPE bargaining committee met with SAHO for three days this week. We tabled a comprehensive proposal document to further our attempts to conclude bargaining non-monetary items and move towards talking about money. SAHO is considering our proposal and has committed to getting back to us in mid-April.

We know the pace of bargaining remains frustrating. Health care workers deserve a fair wage increase, and we are committed to keeping up the fight. Our next bargaining dates with SAHO are April 29, 30, and May 1.

CUPE Health care providers are the backbone of our health care system. Without our expertise and commitment, Saskatchewan’s health care system simply could not function. But for far too long CUPE 5430 members have been ignored and disrespected.

“Every day our members face overwhelming workload and ongoing staff shortages. The chronic understaffing is leading to burnout and stress,” said Bashir Jalloh, president of CUPE 5430. “And the Sask Party government has done nothing to improve the wages or the working conditions of our members.”