There are currently two vacancies on the SEIU-West Executive Board for members that work for the former Saskatoon Health Region.
Local healthcare workers picket to "make some noise"
Originally published Swift Current Online Dec 18, 2024
21 months without a collective agreement inspired SEIU-West members to brave cold weather in Swift Current yesterday.
A group of local healthcare workers held what they called an information picket outside the Cypress Regional Hospital.
"We're just wanting to make a little bit of noise and kind of bring forward the issue of (Saskatchewan Health Authority) not bargaining very well with our union currently," said Swift Current Licensed Practical Nurse Jessica Perrault. 
The union doesn't feel the SHA has put enough time and effort into negotiations so far.
"Our union brought forward to start bargaining in January of 2023," Perrault said. "(SHA) did not respond to us until October of 2023. There have just been significant delays. They're only wanting to meet once a month and we need a new and fair collective agreement."
Without a new collective agreement wages have stalled for these healthcare workers.
"I think one of the main things is wage," Perrault said. "During COVID we were called heroes, now a lot of the members are having to work overtime and having to work at multiple different facilities in order to make ends meet... which is just unacceptable."
Perrault, who is also Unit Chair for SEIU-West as the Cypress Regional Hospital, suggested SHA negotiators have been coming in late and leaving early.
"I honestly think that they're just trying to just delay the process so that hopefully they don't have to give us what we want," she speculated. "But we are mad, and we want a fair deal."
Perrault would also like to see a new deal guarantee double time for overtime.
They don't have any additional information pickets scheduled at this time.
Perrault added without a new deal and wage increases the healthcare system could continue to lose workers.
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December 22, 2025
Dear Members,
The 66th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Saskatoon and District Labour Council (SDLC) will be held at the Masonic Temple, 1021 Saskatchewan Crescent West on February 6th and 7th 2026.