Negotiations between CUPE 12,000 health care workers and the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations have broken off.
“We communicated some specific deadlines on critical membership issues such as hours of work and employment strategy in an attempt to get a collective agreement,” said Stephen Foley, president of CUPE’s Health Care Council. “However, it seems that SAHO, local employers and the government still don’t get the message.”
The Council is consulting with its 22 locals throughout the province on its plan of action. Members had earlier given an 80% strike mandate.
“Despite a lot of rumours floating around, some of which seem to be deliberately started by SAHO officials, we have not changed our intentions. The deadline for a contract is still December 31. If no agreement is reached by then, a strike soon after that date is a strong possibility,” Foley said.