The SAHO Bargaining Committee met with the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) on February 11, 12 and 13, 2025.

The parties agreed to several language improvements which will provide clarity when interpreting and administering the collective agreement.  Close attention to these details has been important to the parties to ensure existing ambiguities are clarified.  On our next dates the parties will continue discussions related to the modernization of the collective agreement to reflect the current configuration of health services in the provincial health authority and Saskatchewan and the desire to have patient needs met in their home communities. The parties will also begin discussions on provisions related to replacing approved workplace absences.

SAHO remains committed to negotiating a collective agreement which reflects the present-day configuration of healthcare while providing the operational flexibility to ensure that the needs of the patients, clients and residents are met. Modernization of healthcare delivery, use of technology and the increased desire to have patient needs met in their home communities are some of the system goals.   Success for any of these goals requires safe, supportive nursing environments and an engaged workforce.

This round of collective bargaining is not just a renewal of the collective agreement but also an opportunity for the employer and the union to negotiate system changes to enhance patient care without the former artificial health region boundaries that, at times, restricted patient-focused delivery of care, hindered the creation of fulltime positions or the development of provincial programs or the use of emerging technologies to increase accessibility for patients.  These are the critical conversations that both parties have committed to during this round of bargaining. We look forward to continuing these productive discussions.  

The next meeting dates are scheduled for February 25, 26 and 27, 2025.

Union/SUN February 20, 2025