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.

The working conditions of medical technologists and technicians have significantly worsened since CUPE’s last med tech survey report was released in 2017. An overwhelming majority of med tech respondents (91.0%) say that increased workload or changes in working conditions has affected the morale of staff, compared to 79.5% in the 2017 survey. 87.8% of respondents reported that their workload has increased in the last five years, up from 81.7% in 2017.

“It is frustrating to see things are getting worse for Saskatchewan’s dedicated medical technologists and technicians. We want to provide the best possible care for patients but we cannot continue working under these conditions,” said Jalloh.  “This is not just about worker burnout—it’s about patient care. When staff are overworked, wait times increase. Vital tests are delayed. Critical scans don’t happen on time. And in some cases, facilities have to close or reduce services.”

Other report highlights include:

• An overwhelming 89.7% of respondents reported that increased workload has affected the quality of services provided to patients/residents, and (91%) answered that an increased workload had an impact on the health and safety of patients/residents.

• “Working short” is the factor most identified as contributing to workload issues and was cited by an 79.5% of respondents. It was closely followed by “vacant positions not being filled,” cited by 74.4% of respondents.
• Respondents reported different ways they are addressing workload pressures including working through breaks (85.3%) and unpaid work (72.4%).

Report on the Workload of CUPE Medical Technologiests and Technicians in Saskatchewan

CUPE 5430 represents over 900 medical technologists and technicians working in five former health regions: Region 1 (former Prairie North), Region 2 (former Prince Albert-Parkland), Region 3 (former Regina Qu’Appelle), Region 4 (former Sun Country) and Region 5 (former Sunrise).