The SAHO Bargaining Committee met with CUPE November 5, 6 and 7, 2024 in Regina.  

During this session SAHO and CUPE discussed several proposals. The discussions remain positive and productive and resulted in reaching agreement on another article. 

Since the initial exchange of proposals with CUPE in the fall of 2023, SAHO has emphasized the need to address their individual union issues and moving proposals that are related to the amalgamation of the twelve former Regional Health Authorities into to a single employer, the SHA, to a common table. Addressing transition issues would be best served with all three (3) provider unions at the same table. This will provide a forum to find alignment and equitable resolutions to the transition issues as well as the standard common issues like compensation. SAHO has been consistent in raising these issues; however, to date it is the only organization that has expressed any urgency to begin transition negotiations. 

SAHO remains committed to a fair and transparent bargaining process. It is our intent that all employees in the 300 plus common classifications covered by three (3) collective agreements, maintain internal equity for monetary and non-wage monetary terms and conditions and benefit equally in the opportunities of a new single employer. The SAHO proposal package seeks to maintain the integrity of the three provider unions while finding common solutions to common issues. The transition to a single employer impacts all employees working in these common classifications regardless of union jurisdiction and should be considered jointly and collaboratively, much like discussions relating to the joint job evaluation program, the market supplement program or monetary compensation. The pace of these negotiations would be greatly assisted by having some of these discussions with all three provider union partners in the same forum.

SAHO’s proposals are constructed to address those issues and ensure that employees have options to exercise their seniority provincially while maintaining benefits and accruals. There is a desire to provide employees the ability to maximize hours when working in more than one union jurisdiction and the ability to create meaningful employment. This can be achieved without any interference with union jurisdiction or membership enabling improvements for employees and increasing flexibility to meet patient needs. 

The parties agreed that they would not be meeting in the month of October. The next scheduled meetings are December 17, 18 and 19, 2024 in Regina.

Union/CUPE November 27, 2024