SAHO met with the three provider unions - CUPE, SEIU-West and SGEU – in Saskatoon from November 18 to 21, 2025.

During the session, negotiations at individual and common tables proceeded concurrently, reflecting an agreement the parties reached earlier this fall. 

Key points from the negotiating session are as follows:

• Individual table negotiations resulted in some agreement at the CUPE table. Productive discussions were also held with SEIU-West and SGEU.
• Common table negotiations were limited to initial discussions on the Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP), the posting and filling of vacancies and portability of accruals and benefits. The unions did not include portability of seniority in their proposals, an issue that the employers see as central to fairness.
• At the outset of common table negotiations during this session, the provider unions withdrew earlier proposals for language that would aid in building workplace cultures that are supportive, inclusive and culturally responsive, while also integrating the principles of the Truth & Reconciliation: Calls to Action. SAHO’s proposals on these important initiatives remain unchanged.

Because the provider unions spent approximately 1.5 of the 4 days that were allocated for bargaining in private caucus, time for negotiations on common and individual issues was significantly reduced. We are hopeful for more direct negotiation time in upcoming sessions.   

The proposals that SAHO has brought to the common table negotiations offer real benefits to members of all provider unions. These proposals address current jurisdictional constraints in the SHA that create barriers to employee recruitment and retention - especially in rural areas – and which also severely limit the ability to serve patients effectively and efficiently. SAHO’s proposals ensure employees in the 300 plus common classifications, who are now working for the same employer, would maintain internal equity and benefit equally in the opportunities that come with a provincial health employer, without interfering with union jurisdiction or membership. These benefits apply to the SHA as well as Affiliate employers.

Over the next three months, 29 days of negotiations have been scheduled, with meetings occurring every second week whenever possible. SAHO remains committed to achieving a negotiated settlement to these collective agreements.

The next bargaining session is scheduled for December 1-5, 2025, in Saskatoon.

Union/CUPE,Union/SEIU-West,Union/SGEU November 27, 2025