SASKATCHEWAN — The Saskatchewan government is defending its approach to health-care staffing and labour negotiations as members of the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union (SGEU) continue to raise concerns about wages, staffing levels and recruitment challenges, particularly in rural communities.
In a statement provided following recent SGEU rallies across the province, Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said the government respects the collective bargaining process and remains committed to reaching a negotiated agreement.
Collective bargaining negotiations continue between the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO) and SGEU. According to the minister, SAHO tabled a wage proposal on April 9, that would provide a total wage increase of 12 per cent over a five-year agreement covering 2023 to 2027.
The minister emphasized the government's appreciation for health-care workers and their contributions to the province's health system.
"Health-care workers are valued and appreciated for their dedication to patients and the health system," he said.
Cockrill also pointed to the province's Health Human Resources Action Plan as evidence of efforts to strengthen Saskatchewan's health-care workforce.
Since the plan was launched in September 2022, more than 7,500 health-care professionals have joined health-care teams across Saskatchewan, according to the ministry. The government says those additions have helped improve staffing levels and patient access to care throughout the province.
The minister further highlighted the province's recently announced Patients First Health Care Plan, which outlines more than 50 initiatives aimed at improving health-care delivery.
Among the measures identified by the government are expanding training seats across multiple health disciplines, supporting workforce recruitment and retention, and investing in nursing career progression initiatives.
The statement comes as SGEU continues to advocate for improved wages, stronger staffing levels and enhanced recruitment and retention efforts, particularly in rural and northern Saskatchewan, where health-care providers have reported ongoing workforce pressures.
Negotiations between SAHO and SGEU remain ongoing. The union's collective agreement expired March 31, 2023. Since then, workers have continued without a renewed contract while negotiations continue between health-sector unions and employers.
The Ministry of Health did not respond to questions about concerns raised by SGEU regarding job centralization and privatization. The union has alleged that positions, including staff scheduling, payroll and finance jobs, are being moved from rural and remote Saskatchewan communities to larger urban centres.
