With negotiations of individual issues between SAHO and the three health provider unions (CUPE, SEIU-West, and SGEU) nearing their conclusion, SAHO and the provider unions met on September 23 to begin discussions on the move to a single, common table for negotiations among the parties. At this first meeting, the parties agreed to processes and ground rules which will benefit productive, solution-based discussions. 

Negotiations at the common table are scheduled to commence October 20-24, 2025, in Saskatoon. To facilitate this, the parties agreed to convert any scheduled bargaining dates after October 15, 2025 to common table bargaining dates.

As part of the process and ground rules discussed on September 23, there was agreement to continue any individual table negotiations concurrently with common table negotiations, as required. The next few weeks will see a focus on finding resolution to any remaining individual issues, particularly at the SEIU-West table. Both CUPE and SGEU have cooperated by releasing their scheduled dates to accommodate additional discussions between SAHO and SEIU-West, in hopes that all three provider unions will enter common table negotiations with SAHO on equal footing. 

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, 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.

Union/CUPE,Union/SEIU-West,Union/SGEU October 03, 2025