REGINA: In light of ongoing short-staffing, unfilled vacancies and upcoming leaves among medical radiation technologists and nuclear medicine technologists, CUPE is calling for an immediate intervention from the Minister of Health to ensure staffing can be secured to avoid disruptions to diagnostic care.

“For over a decade, we have been sounding the alarm on behalf of our members that provide a vital service in the continuum of care,” said Bashir Jalloh, president of CUPE 5430 and a nuclear medicine technologist. “The government sat on their hands instead of addressing the issue. Now, as waitlists grow, we are at risk of more disruptions of services and communities on bypass for critical care at a time when wait lists are as long as ever.”

Your CUPE bargaining committee was scheduled to bargain with the SAHO bargaining committee on November 14, 15, and 16. Unfortunately, the employer cut the bargaining session short before noon on the second day.

Historically, CUPE 5430, SEIU-West, and SGEU have bargained “common proposals” at a table with SAHO. These proposals have been limited to certain monetary items. This process requires agreement between all three unions and SAHO.

In this round of bargaining, SAHO’s 71-page proposal package is, for the most part, a rewrite of our collective agreement with the intent to remove our independence as a union. Additionally, the employer is pushing for numerous concessions that will worsen working conditions for you and all health care members.