SEIU-WEST demonstration raises concerns of working without a collective agreement since 2017

Local members from SEIU-WEST held a 90 minute demonstration in front of the Cypress Regional Hospital on September 17 to highlight the impacts of not having a collective agreement sine March 2017.

The demonstration was conducted in order to raise a series of ongoing concerns which have been caused by not having a contract since March 31, 2017.

“Healthcare workers are demonstrating an incredible amount of frustration and displeasure because we’ve been well over three years without a collective agreement, and we see that as a real barrier to recruiting and retaining healthcare workers in the province. But also it impacts our working conditions which also impacts the quality of care we’re able to provide to our patients, clients and residents,” SEIU-WEST President Barbara Cape explained during a phone interview at the conclusion of the demonstration.

Swift Current’s demonstration is the seventh event in the province dating back to an initial August 12 event in Saskatoon. SEIU-WEST members are aiming to rally public support and raise public awareness of these issues while demanding a better investment in front line healthcare workers.

“These folks are working at 2016 rates of pay. They are working at double and triple as hard as they normally do, which is an incredible workload to begin with. And the support from the provincial government really isn’t there. So we want to see that investment because we believe the investment in frontline workers isn’t just for union members, it’s for our patients, clients and residents.”

The SEIU-WEST members without a contract are healthcare sector workers employed by the Saskatchewan Health Authority in the former Saskatoon, Cypress,

Five Hills and Heartland Health Regions. These workers include Licensed Practical Nurses, administration staff, Continuing Care Aides, Food and Nutrition Staff, Environmental Services Workers, plus Maintenance Staff.

“They all have an incredible role to play at the best of times in healthcare as part of the team. But especially during a pandemic the importance of those individual roles has never been more important and really I would argue more appreciated by the public than it has during this COVID-19 pandemic,” Cape said.

Cape noted the SEIUWEST last had a video conference with negotiators in May, but in the ensuing weeks they have continued to write to the Premier and the Minister of Health while continuing to call on the Saskatchewan government to invest in front line healthcare services.

“It’s not just a matter of not having a collective agreement for over three years, which all by itself is