Health care employee wage, workload concerns common: SGEU

“Members in the Health Providers Bargaining Unit consistently report uncompetitive wages, heavy workloads, and chronic staff shortages,” the response said.

SGEU Health Bargaining Unit Chair Sharri Laczko said improving the situation has been a very slow process.

“Frontline staff across the province are facing the exact same pressures: understaffing, severe burnout, chronic retirement and retention bottlenecks, and growing strains on patient care,” Laczko explained.

The SGEU response stated that they are advocating for change and pushing for a fair collective agreement at the bargaining table, along with actionably policy solutions. SGEU health providers have been without a contract for over three years. The organization has held community rallies, including recent events in Nipawin, Melfort, and Tisdale, to rally public support and demand action from the provincial government.

SGEU also recommends implementing long-term supports like housing assistance, travel support, protected leave, and service incentives instead of temporary hiring bonuses. They also support the creation of a structured career advancement, mentorship programs, and continuing education for those building long-term careers in the province.

“Directing resources toward competitive wages, safe staffing, and frontline support is the only way to resolve chronic job vacancies, reduce costly overtime, and eliminate service disruptions across Saskatchewan,” the union said.

According to the SGEU, Saskatchewan’s health providers remain among the lowest paid in Canada. They stated that a Continuing Care Aide in Saskatchewan tops out at $24.84 per hour, while the same employee in British Columbia would make $30.72 per hour.

“With inflation continuing to erode real income, this wage gap drives experienced professionals out-of-province and even out of health care,” the SGEU statement read.

They added that competitive wages are essential to fill vacancies, reduce overtime, boost morale, and keep skilled employees in Saskatchewan.

While doctors and nurses provide crucial work in the health care system, SGEU said thousands of health providers of all kinds help “form the indispensable backbone of patient care.”

The union said when those roles are overlooked, it causes major operational issues throughout the entire health care system.

“Most importantly, this ripple effect directly impacts the general public and their loved ones through delayed care and longer wait times.”

According to SGEU, many members in the health care field feel undervalued, unseen, unheard, extremely discouraged, and completely forgotten.

“People are losing hope.”

SGEU President Tracey Sauer said that safe patient care depends entirely on a stable workforce.

“When workers are stretched past their limit and left without recognition, morale collapses, driving experienced staff away and creating delays and uncertainty for patients,” Sauer explained.

SGEU urged the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO), acting as the health sectors’ bargaining agent, to demonstrate compassion and dedication toward its workforce by delivering fair compensation and financial security for the working years and into retirement.

SAHO did not respond to northeastNOW‘s request for a statement prior to publication.

–

cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

by Cam Lee

Health care employee wage, workload concerns common: SGEU

What's Trending