REGINA, SK -The CUPE Health Care Council wrapped up ratification votes last night on the tentative collective agreement it reached with the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations on August 13. The Council represents 12,600 health care providers in five health regions.
Ninety-five per cent of CUPE health providers voted to accept the tentative agreement, which was reached more than two years after their last agreement expired.
“The results of this vote clearly indicate members were anxious to settle and felt this was the best deal possible under the circumstances,” said CUPE Health Care Council president Gordon Campbell.
Ratification of the agreement brings a lengthy and difficult bargaining process to a close. The union’s bargaining power was severely limited by the introduction of essential services legislation that made effective job action impossible.
“We’re disappointed that we weren’t able to achieve parity with other health workers on weekend premiums and shift differentials, but we made modest gains and staved off some significant roll backs,” he said. “We live to fight another day to achieve these workplace improvements,” he added.
With the ratification vote complete, the union will be meeting with SAHO to finalize the signing of the agreement in the near future.
The province’s health care providers include special care aides, licensed practical nurses, food services workers, laundry, housekeeping and activity personnel, maintenance, administrative, clerical, emergency medical personnel, therapeutic and recreational workers, and medical technologists and technicians.
For more information, contact:
Gordon Campbell
President of the CUPE Health Care Council
Tel: (306) 539-0661