Healthcare workers rally for wage hikes, more support

“I’m impressed with the turnout,” said the chair of the health bargaining unit Sharri Laczko.

She said the workers have been without a collective bargaining agreement for over three years, and their last pay raise was in April 2022.

“Over the last ten years, we’ve had a wage increase of seven per cent,” Laczko said, adding that the inflation over that time is 23 per cent.

Wednesday’s rally in Melfort drew an enthusiastic group of healthcare workers. (Image Credit: Cam Lee/northeastNOW)

While the collective bargaining agreement and wage issues are a significant reason for the rally, they are far from the only reason. Laczko said employee recruitment and retention remain an issue, especially in rural and northern areas. Concerns about privatization and the loss of remote and rural jobs are also front and centre.

“[The Saskatchewan Health Authority] is taking our staff scheduling, our payroll, our finance, and their plan is to move [them] to the bigger urban centres,” Laczko explained.

Staffing shortages are also a major issue in rural health care.

“A daily occurrence – we’re working short, people are burnt out, they’re just fed up,” Laczko said. “Our members, they love their jobs, but enough is enough.”

Laczko said while the healthcare workers are still providing excellent care, the staffing shortages do have an effect on patients. Some may go longer between baths due to staff shortages and burnout. Those shortages are also leading to emergency room closures or bypasses in many rural and remote areas.

According to Laczko, some of the members must work two or three jobs just to keep up to the rising cost of living.

“If they had better wages, maybe they could commit to one job [in the healthcare field],” said Laczko.

The union also said in a news release the province’s health providers are some of the lowest paid across western Canada.

“Safe patient care depends on a stable health care workforce,” SGEU president Tracey Sauer said. “When workforce instability exists in one part of the system, patients feel the impact throughout their care journey. When workers are stretched too thin, patients experience delays, frustration, and uncertainty.”

About 100 members from Nipawin, Carrot River, and area were part of the rally in front of the Nipawin Hospital.

The rally in Nipawin was also well-attended and enthusiastic. (Image Credit: Submitted)

Laczko said the past few years have been difficult for healthcare workers. During the pandemic, they were regularly praised for their work and sacrifice to keep people safe.

“Now the staff are telling me they feel like zeroes. They get no respect.”

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

by Cam Lee

Healthcare workers rally for wage hikes, more support

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