Wall Government Refuses to Negotiate with Frontline Healthcare Providers
Just as conciliation talks begin, government hands down ‘take it or leave it’ offer
NDP Labour critic Andy Iwanchuk urged the Wall government today to return to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair and respectful collective agreement with thousands of front-line healthcare workers in Saskatchewan. He said the government’s heavy-handed tactics during the bargaining process with unions CUPE, SGEU, and SEIU in negotiating a new contract have been counterproductive and are the cause for the current stalemate in negotiations.
“Having the Wall government shut down negotiations with this insulting ‘take it or leave it’ offer just as conciliation talks have begun shows a shocking disrespect for thousands of front-line healthcare workers in our province,” Iwanchuk said. “The working women and men who provide hands-on care and support services in our health facilities deserve a far better offer and a government willing to work cooperatively with them, not one that treats them as enemies.”
Iwanchuk remained critical, as well, of the Wall government’s “essential services” legislation. In addition to the previously-exposed hypocrisy of the legislation – many healthcare jobs that would be deemed “essential” during a work stoppage are currently unfilled or vacant on a daily basis – he believes the ill-advised policy has added to the negotiation disruptions.
“When you impose such heavy-handed tactics right from the beginning, it becomes clear that there was never any intention on the part of the government to sit down and negotiate these collective agreements in good faith,” Iwanchuk said. “The Wall government’s dictatorial tactics against the professional public service in Saskatchewan continue now into the healthcare sector as well and it’s just not acceptable.”
“This is a government that has gone out of its way to promote a ‘patient-first’ model of healthcare but yet refuses to provide fair wages to the women and men providing that care,” Iwanchuk concluded.
“Having the Wall government shut down negotiations with this insulting ‘take it or leave it’ offer just as conciliation talks have begun shows a shocking disrespect for thousands of front-line healthcare workers in our province,” Iwanchuk said. “The working women and men who provide hands-on care and support services in our health facilities deserve a far better offer and a government willing to work cooperatively with them, not one that treats them as enemies.”
Iwanchuk remained critical, as well, of the Wall government’s “essential services” legislation. In addition to the previously-exposed hypocrisy of the legislation – many healthcare jobs that would be deemed “essential” during a work stoppage are currently unfilled or vacant on a daily basis – he believes the ill-advised policy has added to the negotiation disruptions.
“When you impose such heavy-handed tactics right from the beginning, it becomes clear that there was never any intention on the part of the government to sit down and negotiate these collective agreements in good faith,” Iwanchuk said. “The Wall government’s dictatorial tactics against the professional public service in Saskatchewan continue now into the healthcare sector as well and it’s just not acceptable.”
“This is a government that has gone out of its way to promote a ‘patient-first’ model of healthcare but yet refuses to provide fair wages to the women and men providing that care,” Iwanchuk concluded.
Other Stories
View the full news archives here
When the Sask Party hiked the price for camping in Provincial Parks, it claimed that Saskatchewan families weren't appreciating their parks enough.
"We’re not heading into a recession – we’re coming out of one."
- Minister of Finance, Rod Gantefoer
Wall Government scrambles to gain control over finances...
December 3, 2009
The volatility of resource markets, the very reason that Finance Minister Rod Gantefoer is now scrambling to gain control of a budget that hurtled off the tracks, is precisely why his government shouldn't be backtracking on a stable funding deal with Saskatchewan's municipalities and its commitment to further ease property taxes. -The StarPhoenix
