News

CUPE strongly believes that our power to fight back against privatization, austerity and attacks on workers' rights is strengthened through the relationships we build with workers in other workplaces struggling for common causes, including workers in other countries.

A recent visit by Robert Mendoza, President of the Alliance of Health Workers in the Philippines, is just the latest example of CUPE’s global justice work and alliance-building with unions and workers in countries across the world.

Following a weeklong trip to Manitoba, Brother Mendoza made a stop in Saskatchewan to visit the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre and Pasqua hospital in Regina and the long-term care facility Tatagwa View in Weyburn.

Through these facility visits and presentations at two evening social events in Regina and Weyburn, Brother Mendoza spoke about the struggles facing health care workers and trade unionists in the Philippines.

These struggles include: budget cuts to public hospitals, rampant privatization, poverty and poor health for most Filipinos, and “contractualization” or precarious work where many health care workers receive no benefits and have minimal job security. Currently, out-of-pocket spending accounts for 57 percent of health expenditures in the Philippines. 

Brother Mendoza also spoke of the many campaigns and mobilization efforts his union and others are undertaking to fight back, including the People’s Health Agenda for free, comprehensive and progressive health services for all citizens.

CUPE members, family and friends were also able to enjoy some amazing Filipino food at the two social events. 

Special thanks to CUPE National and CUPE Saskatchewan for helping to make Brother Mendoza’s visit possible.   

June 21 is National Aboriginal Day, also known as National Indigenous Peoples Day, an annual opportunity to honour and celebrate the diverse cultures of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. CUPE Local 5430 would like to invite our members to honour this important day.

Indigenous peoples will be celebrating in their communities, and graciously sharing their ceremonies, customs, and heritage with others across the country. It is a day we can all stand in solidarity with Indigenous peoples striving to protect and strengthen their cultures, languages, and way of life.

As many members are aware, the Saskatchewan Health Authority has undertaken a review of security services using an external consultant. Many believe, with good reason, that his review will lead to recommendations to cut back unionized in-house security positions and contract out security work to a low-paying private firm. This will not improve safety in health care facilities. 

The Employer is obligated to keep a list of members who are not capable of returning to work in in their position in the near future.  When a member is fit to return to work, they may be accommodated or apply for posted vacancies.  This article protects disabled members from being terminated due to disability reasons. 

For more details please see Article 31 Return to Work. 

For more information, please visit www.cupe5430.ca

On April 18th the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) issued a memo announcing a province-wide review of security services, using an external consultant named Tony Weeks. In announcing the review, Saskatchewan Health Authority vice-president Andrew Will told media, “Definitely we’re seeing more events where staff and/or patient safety is jeopardized.”