“Saskatchewan’s incredible frontline healthcare workers do all they can every day to hold up a crumbling system that has been failed time and time again by the Sask. Party over the last 20 years,” Beck said. “We cannot afford more chaos caused by Scott Moe and his Minister's refusal to sign a contract with these workers for four years while their health executive buddies are being handed hundreds of thousands in raises.”
On Wednesday, members of CUPE 5430 said they will hold a strike vote in September. Job action could impact nearly 14,000 workers in hospitals, long-term care homes, community health facilities, laboratories, and other medical services across the province. The strike would affect workers in Regina, Yorkton, Prince Albert, Weyburn, North Battleford and areas surrounding those communities.
“This is what happens when a government ignores workers, gaslights those who step forward with concerns and mistreats those continuing to do incredible work in our hospitals and other facilities against all odds,” said Meara Conway,
Shadow Health Minister. “Healthcare in Saskatchewan has never been in such awful shape. We bring forward stories every day of people suffering in hospital hallways that are described by workers as war zones.
“We see workers burning out and going on sick and stress leave.
“We see patients being forced to go out of province and pay tens of thousands of dollars out of their own pocket to get surgeries just to ease their pain.
“And, through all of that, we see a Sask. Party that is more focused on staging photo ops, putting up celebratory billboards and patting themselves on the back. It’s a slap in the face to these workers.”
Jared Clarke, Rural & Remote Health Shadow Minister, said workers across the province that he’s spoken on repeated tours throughout the province say no one in the Sask. Party or the senior ranks of the Saskatchewan Health Authority is listening to the harsh reality on the ground in rural healthcare.
“Many describe working in unsafe conditions, without the staffing or resources to keep up,” Clarke said. “They tell us they often aren’t able to give the expected standard of patient care.
“These workers love their communities and they know that, without proper healthcare, many people will leave. It’s heartbreaking and it’s horrifying.”
Nathaniel Teed, Shadow Minister for Labour, said Beck’s team is proud to stand with Saskatchewan workers and continue to demand better. He said workers have the right to collectively bargain for fair wages and better working conditions.
"After everything these outstanding healthcare workers have done, they deserve a raise,” Teed said. “We don’t have to settle for this, workers, patients — all Saskatchewan people. We can demand better and we change the government to one that will deliver better.
“Saskatchewan is the birthplace of Medicare. We can get back to leading the nation in healthcare again but not with this incompetent, negligent and corrupt Sask. Party Government at the helm.
“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.
-30-