Purple and yellow flags and banners painted the sky outside of Saskatoon City Hospital over the noon hour on Wednesday, as members of SEIU West demonstrated a need for change in the latest of several rallies organized by the nurses’ union.
The unions treasurer, Janice Platzke, says members are pleading for a fair contract following 21 months of negotiations with their employer, and no deal in sight. The union’s main asks include increased staffing, a nursing task force, maximizing LPNs scope of practice, and an increase in pay.
“When I started with the SHA in 1991, minimum wage was $5. It’s now $15, so in my 34 years, minimum wage has gone up more than my healthcare wage has. That’s really demoralizing.”
She adds that many nurses are experiencing burnout, and are desperate for reprieve, or at least some compensation.
“They are working overtime all the time. They are working short staffed all the time. Every meeting we go to, they tell us they’re exhausted. They’re mentally drained.”
She adds that it’s been deflating to go from being labelled as a hero during the Covid-19 pandemic to receiving multiple 0% wage increases in several years.
“A lot of them are considering leaving healthcare. We’ve heard them say their children are making more money than they are for the back-breaking work they do in healthcare. But they also say they do it because they love the people that they serve.”
She encourages the public to support SEIU West on their lengthy bargaining journey by sending a letter to the minister of health through their online ‘Backbone of Health’ campaign.
Bargaining sessions between the two parties continue once a month.
Photo: SEIU West Treasurer Janice Platzke
Photo: Employee at Saskatoon City Hospital rallies for change outside her workplace
