“These incredible workers are giving everything they have to their jobs, providing care in impossible circumstances as the healthcare system crumbles all around them,” Beck said. “After 20 years of the Sask. Party, healthcare is in worse shape than ever. Fixing this disaster starts by collaborating and supporting workers. We need to retain the people we have and recruit more workers — right now, this government is failing on both fronts.
“I am sick of the excuses, of passing the buck, which is the only thing this government is good at. Get a damn deal done, support workers and support public healthcare that we know Saskatchewan people value so greatly.”
Beck made her call for a deal on Tuesday outside of the constituency office of Sask. Party Labour Minister Ken Cheveldayoff. Last week, Cheveldayoff met with frontline healthcare workers represented by SEIU-West, whose members have been without a new contract for more than three years.
Following the meeting, a healthcare worker challenged Cheveldayoff publicly over his repeated comments that he “hopes” the negotiating team finds a solution, saying it was disingenuous for the Minister to suggest negotiators were somehow operating independently from the government.
Cheveldayoff responded:
“Politicians set the overall parameters, not the exact details. It is time to reach an agreement.”
“Ken Cheveldayoff is the Labour Minister. He has now admitted publicly that his government sets the parameters for bargaining. So what exactly is he waiting for?” said Beck. “Healthcare workers don’t need another Sask. Party Minister telling them he hopes somebody else solves the problem. They need a government that respects them, gets to the table and gets a fair deal done.”
Thousands of Saskatchewan healthcare workers have gone years without a new contract while working on the front lines of a healthcare system struggling with severe staffing shortages, service disruptions and overcrowded hospitals.
The issue has reached new heights as 14,000 healthcare workers with CUPE 5430 will vote next month on a potential strike. Any job action would impact workers and make healthcare that much worse in Regina, Yorkton, Prince Albert, Weyburn and even Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill’s home riding of Battlefords. The union represents workers in hospitals, long-term care homes, laboratories, community health facilities and other healthcare services across Saskatchewan.
Labour Shadow Minister Nathaniel Teed said Cheveldayoff’s comments make it clear he isn’t up for the job.
“After more than three years without a new contract, ‘I hope they figure it out’ simply isn’t good enough from the Labour Minister,” Teed said. “Do your job. Give negotiators a mandate that can get a fair agreement across the finish line and give frontline healthcare workers the respect they have earned.”
Beck said the government she leads would collaborate directly with frontline workers and give them respect that is sorely lacking.
“Frontline healthcare workers show up for Saskatchewan people every single day,” Beck said. “It’s long past time for a provincial government that does the same.
“To the people of Saskatchewan I say this — we don’t have to settle for the healthcare disaster caused by Scott Moe and the Sask. Party. We can change the government and get to work delivering big, bold change in our hospitals, clinics, long-term care centres and so much more.
“Our team is ready to deliver that change.”
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