SGEU and SAHO met in Prince Albert May 14, 15 & 16, 2024.

Since the initial exchange of proposals with SGEU in the Fall of 2023, the parties have continued to meet regularly. During this recent session, SAHO and SGEU exchanged several counter and amended proposals.  Although a lot of time was spent in caucus, respectful dialogue and positive exchanges made for a productive week. SGEU was asked to provide their follow up questions to the April 11, 2024 all Provider Union Health Network presentation. Operational leaders on the SAHO committee were able to provide additional clarity on the framework and implementation. 

This round of collective bargaining is the first opportunity for transition negotiations to recognize the amalgamation of the twelve former Regional Health Authorities into a single provincial health authority as well as addressing important issues for renewal of the collective agreement. SAHO’s proposals are constructed to ensure that employees can optimize their hours, and the employer can create meaningful employment as well as improving flexibility to meet patient needs.

SAHO remains committed to a fair and transparent bargaining process. It is our intent that all employees in over 300 common classifications covered by three (3) collective agreements have equitable opportunities, maintain internal equity for monetary and non-wage monetary terms and conditions and benefit equally in the new single provincial health authority. The SAHO proposal package maintains the integrity of the three provider unions while we seek common solutions to common issues. SAHO and the Provider Unions have a long-recognized practice of negotiating monetary and common issues at a single table.

It is recognized that the opportunity to find alignment and equitable resolutions to transition issues may be best served by having these discussions with all three (3) provider unions at the same table. SGEU and SAHO have discussed transition issues and identified where issues may require joint discussion with SEIU-West and CUPE.

SAHO believes that having discussions at a single common table would likely assist in moving the negotiations forward in a timelier manner.

SAHO and SGEU are scheduled to bargain next on July 9, 10, 2024, in Saskatoon. Additional bargaining dates for September 10, 11 and 12, 2024 are confirmed for Saskatoon. 

Union/SGEU May 22, 2024