CUPE Local 5430 is concerned that a province wide review into health care security services could open the door to more privatization. The Saskatchewan Health Authority is currently working on a review of security services. The SHA has hired Tony Weeks, an external consultant to help with the review. Weeks previously was involved in a review in Alberta nearly a decade ago that saw the province adopt a centralized, mostly privatized security service. Sandra Seitz, president of CUPE Local 5430 says that they would like to see health care security service in the province stay public and under the direction of the SHA as well as issuing an annual report that shows the trends in violent incidents and what approach the SHA is taking to address violence in the workplace.
Seitz adds that they’re also disappointed that the SHA and the consultant conducting the review haven’t asked for formal input from their union members.