On Wednesday, the Official Opposition exposed a plan by the Saskatchewan Health Authority, which includes many senior executives who previously ran and donated Scott Moe’s election campaigns, to establish a “snitch line” targeting workers speaking out about horrible working conditions.
The Sask. Party stood by the snitch line and said it had consulted with workers — a total lie.
“Scott Moe and his SHA cronies aren’t listening — they’re focused on imposing a gag order on the incredible frontline workers providing healthcare in unthinkable working conditions and amid constant fear for their safety,” said Nathaniel Teed, Saskatchewan NDP Labour Shadow Minister.
On Thursday, the Saskatchewan NDP joined representatives from SEIU-West to lay bare the constant safety threats being faced at Royal University Hospital. During a news conference, pictures of four tables full of non-lethal firearms, knives, drug paraphernalia and alcohol — each table represented one month of items seized by security officials at the hospital.
At nearby St. Paul’s Hospital, hundreds of workers recently signed a letter to the CEO of the SHA demanding an emergency safety plan. On Nov. 27, a patient at the hospital was found to be in possession of a firearm and three knives — a frontline worker was directly threatened with one of the knives. When the incident was raised in the Legislature, the Saskatchewan NDP demanded an emergency safety plan.
Scott Moe’s incompetent Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill was due to hold a news conference later Thursday at the hospital to announce a safety review.
“What took so long?” Teed questioned. “It took hundreds of people stepping forward bravely to speak out before we see any action. Even then, a metal detector is just one step; we need a comprehensive plan to protect workers and hospital patients.
“There is chaos everywhere you look in healthcare. The Sask. Party is late to the game, they are failing on worker safety, and the only solution they have brought to the table is privatization, where only wealthy people can get the healthcare, they need.
“They have driven us $40 billion into debt with nothing to show for it. Healthcare in Saskatchewan is in worse shape than ever — it’s time for change.”