Sask. health-care unions meet with health minister amid bargaining frustrations

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“We’ve been here before, he’s said the same thing before, he has committed to us that there is a possibility for a speedy conclusion to this, and we still are where we are,” explained Jalloh.

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He said he hopes the minister listens to the voices of workers, because they’re frustrated and angry.

“People want to go out, go on strike, don’t care about the fine. We can do whatever, whatever the consequences, because it’s been over four and a half years,” he said.

Lisa Zunti, president of SEIU-West, said there were good conversations in the meeting, but also claimed the government is hiding behind its bargaining agent, SAHO, and that it should instead move to make a deal.

“Take responsibility for ending this contract and getting these people a proper wage increase,” said Zunti.

SEIU-West president Lisa Zunti speaks to reporters. (Image Credit: Lisa Schick/980 CJME)

Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said government also wants a deal and would like to see things move quicker, but also claimed progress is being made at all the tables.

He wouldn’t get specific about the sticking points, but said wages are always a topic with any union – Cockrill said the unions want to make sure their workers are well-compensated, and so does government.

“We want to make sure that health-care compensation stays competitive compared to the Western Canadian average; that’s really important for us from a recruitment and retention perspective. So there’s alignment there,” said Cockrill.

Last month, CUPE members voted 99 per cent in favour of authorizing job action. Cockrill said any time service continuity is threatened, “that’s a concern” to him. But he also said it’s important for people to know there’s there are several steps in the process before a strike could happen.