December 22, 2025
Dear Members,
From December 15 to 19, the bargaining committees of the three Health Provider Unions (HPUs) met with SAHO.
Throughout the week, the HPUs worked together to maintain proposals that would improve working conditions while protecting your rights under your respective collective agreements.
Comments from SAHO this week included: “We have very little to give.” and “We have no interest in that.”
SAHO’s responses to our proposals made clear what they are interested in: they want the right to freely move your work or move you from one facility or community to another with little regard for your rights, needs, or responsibilities.
We continue to push for tangible benefits similar to what other health care unions in Saskatchewan have long received under their collective agreements. At this point, we have been unsuccessful in coming to an agreement with SAHO.
We put forward concrete ideas to help recruit and retain health care workers. SAHO rejected them and proposed language that would discourage health care workers who leave from returning to work in the SHA.
We made detailed proposals to ensure that jobs are posted with all relevant information and vacancies are filled in a fair and transparent way. SAHO responded that their ability to do this was “limited by AIMS.”
SAHO’s “solution based” proposals bundle up complex issues into one-size-fits-all language which is then offered on a “take it or leave it” basis. You can be sure SAHOs proposals always seek to take away hard-won rights you enjoy now under your respective collective agreements.
Your unions will not be divided.
The parties are next scheduled to meet January 19 to 23. Best wishes for the holiday season to you and your families.
Your CUPE 5430, SEIU-West, and SGEU bargaining committees.
Click here for a PDF version of this Joint Bargaining Update.