CUPE would like to reach out to our members regarding the recruitment issues that have been prevalent within the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) with regards to the cook classifications, namely the cook position (Job #010) and the head cook position (Job #024). The SHA has been in talks with Saskatchewan Polytechnic regarding the development of a new health care cook program designed solely for cooking in the health care setting.
CUPE, along with the other two provider unions (SGEU and SEIU-West), were notified by the SHA in June 2020 about a health care cook program with very little detail.
In October 2020 the SHA updated the unions with more information about their intent to make this new health care cook program an equivalent qualification for both the cook and head cook classifications. Initially the program was slated to begin in January 2021, but by December 2020 we were notified that the program would be delayed until September 2021.
The SHA sees this as a method to address the current shortage of qualified cooks. In addition, this will assist employees around the province who are conditionally hired and/or have not completed the current education requirement.
It is our understanding that, even while the unions are still in discussions with the employer about the effects of this new cooking program, the SHA and Saskatchewan Polytechnic are moving forward regardless. We have been made aware that they will be reaching out to many of our members with information regarding the course schedule for fall 2021.
We are interested in hearing from you on this or any other issue that you are facing. Please contact us.
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