JEREMY COCKRILL IS FORCING HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO A STRIKE VOTE — AND HIS OWN COMMUNITY WILL PAY THE PRICE

Pattern Of Failed Bargaining Attempts Mean Workers Leaving For Good And Putting System In Increasing Danger: Roy
NORTH BATTLEFORD – Carla Beck’s team is in Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill’s own riding today, calling him out for forcing 14,000 desperately needed healthcare workers to vote on a strike as they have gone four years without a contract.

Any job action would directly impact workers in Cockrill’s Battlefords riding, as well as Regina, Yorkton, Weyburn and Prince Albert. CUPE 5430 announced Wednesday that members will hold a strike vote in September after working four years without a contract. The union represents workers in hospitals, long-term care homes, laboratories, community health facilities and other healthcare services across Saskatchewan.

"The Battlefords can’t afford even more chaos in healthcare,” said Jacqueline Roy, Women’s Health Shadow Minister. “Jeremy Cockrill is the MLA for this community and, still, he's forcing the very healthcare workers his own constituents rely on toward a strike vote.

“This Minister of Strikes never gets the deal done. First, it was education. Now it’s healthcare. And while Jeremy Cockrill and Scott Moe just stand there, other provinces are gain healthcare workers while they fail. "

Roy said the situation comes as healthcare services throughout rural Saskatchewan continue to face staffing shortages, emergency room disruptions and growing pressure on hospitals.

"These workers have shown up through staffing shortages, burnout, and unsafe working conditions because they care deeply about their patients," Roy said. "After four years without a contract, they deserve respect, they deserve a fair deal, and they deserve a government that actually comes to the bargaining table."

Roy called on Scott Moe and Jeremy Cockrill to return to the bargaining table immediately and negotiate a fair agreement before patients and communities pay the price.

"This government found hundreds of thousands of dollars in raises for health executives while leaving frontline workers waiting four years for a contract," Roy said. "That tells you everything you need to know about their priorities."

"We can still avoid this, but only if Scott Moe and Jeremy Cockrill stop the excuses, start listening to healthcare workers and negotiate a fair deal. Saskatchewan people deserve better. It's time for change."

Carla Beck’s team has consulted with thousands of people about the future of Saskatchewan healthcare through the Your Care, Your Say project. Everyone is welcome to offer their ideas and feedback at YourCareYourSay.ca.

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