The parties were scheduled to meet at the SAHO office in Regina September 23, 24 and 25, 2025. However, the September 23, 2025 date was re-purposed to accommodate a meeting with SAHO and all three health provider unions (CUPE, SEIU and SGEU) to collaboratively develop the format and rules for the common table and the next stage of these negotiations. At the September 23rd meeting the parties agreed to processes and ground rules which will benefit productive, solution-based discussions. Negotiations for the common table with all three provider unions are scheduled to commence October 20-24, 2025, in Saskatoon. 

The next few weeks of bargaining with CUPE and the other health provider unions will see a focus on finding resolution to the remaining individual table issues and that was the focus of the negotiations with CUPE on September 24 and 25, 2025. These were productive discussions and resulted in reaching agreement on several proposals.   

SAHO’s proposals for common table negotiation are designed to give employees the opportunity to maximize hours and create meaningful employment, which may include working in a neighboring union jurisdiction. This will provide opportunity to reduce travel time for employees and increase accessibility for patients. Importantly, SAHO’s proposals to increase options for employee mobility, including hours of work, and do not interfere with union jurisdiction or membership.  These proposals would ensure that all employees in the 300 plus common classifications, working for the same employer, would maintain internal equity and benefit equally in the opportunities that come with a new single provincial health employer. Employees would have options to exercise their seniority across the province, while maintaining benefits and accruals. These are real benefits for employees that, at the same time, improve access for patients, residents and clients.  

The current jurisdictional constraints severely limit the ability to serve Saskatchewan patients effectively and efficiently, creates barriers to recruitment and retention, especially in rural areas, and do not align with the structure of a provincial health authority. SAHO’s proposals are designed to address those issues.

The next bargaining session will be with SEIU-West and SGEU at the common table later this month in Saskatoon.

Union/CUPE October 03, 2025