For Immediate Release
January 8, 2025
SEIU-West Proposes Healthcare Improvements to the Newly Appointed Ministers of Health
Saskatoon—SEIU-West members and leadership met with Minister Jeremy Cockrill (Health) and Minister Lori Carr (Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health) with the hope of establishing an open and productive dialogue to improve Saskatchewan’s healthcare system.
“We came away from the meeting with cautious optimism,” says Barbara Cape, President of SEIU-West. “The Ministers seemed open to our concerns and suggestions and offered opportunities for further collaboration. We will hold them to those commitments.”
Issues and suggestions raised by the SEIU-West team included:
- The need for a provincial Joint Nursing Team Task Force, with a mandate and budget to make real improvements. The Task Force must include representatives of the entire nursing team, including Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Continuing Care Assistants (CCAs).
“The experience, knowledge, and care of all members of the nursing team who provide hands on care are crucial to addressing the nursing crisis,” says Cape.
- Ensure that our LPNs can work to their full scope of practice in all care settings.
“Operating rooms in the smaller cities often run at less than full capacity because LPNs are not being allowed to expand their knowledge and skills as Operating Room Technician/LPNs,” says Jessica Perrault, an experienced LPN from southwest Saskatchewan. “Full utilization would mean reduced waitlists, improve staffing, and less need for contracted—private—surgical providers, which saves money.”
“We learned that the government is working on new legislation to ensure that the health professions will work together for the greater good. Less turf protection, more collaboration,” added Cape.
- Increase the number of permanent and full-time jobs, to help recruit and retain staff, especially in rural communities.
“Effective recruitment and retention plans require investment from the top, in this case, the Saskatchewan government,” says Cape. “Incentives to bring physicians or registered nurses (RNs) to Saskatchewan are only a small part of the solution. We need to invest more in the full range of workers providing the care and services that patients, clients, and residents need, as close as possible to where they live.”
“Members are aware of the increases to minimum wage, which are fantastic, but it does raise concerns about their compensation for the skilled, professional work they provide,” says Monica Reich, a Unit Assistant in Diagnostic Imaging from Moose Jaw. “I know many people in healthcare that work two, or even three, jobs to make ends meet. This shouldn’t be the case for skilled professional work.”
- Get the Ministers and SHA leadership to regularly tour facilities.
“This used to happen in the past,” says Jason Monteith, Vice-President of SEIU-West. “It’s a good way for leaders to understand the state of the buildings, staffing levels, and the quality of care. It’s a good way for everyone, top to bottom, to see and feel that we are all invested, all accountable, and all working together to make the system work better.”
“Our members need hope that things will improve,” said Janice Platzke, SEIU-West Treasurer. “They are still reeling from the pandemic, and from wages that have not keep pace with the rising cost of living.”
Members and leaders of SEIU-West continue to schedule meetings with SK Party Government Ministers and NDP Opposition Critics to discuss issues important to members as we progress through 2025.
Service Employees International Union West (SEIU-West) represents over 13,000 people across Saskatchewan. They include people who work in health care, education, municipalities, community-based organizations, retirement homes, and other sectors. They are joined by one colour – purple – and one union – SEIU-West. Visit PurpleWorks.ca to find out more about SEIU-West members.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Leanne Hendriks
Communications Coordinator, SEIU-West
306-652-1011 ext. 2244
Please click here for a printable version of this media release.
