NDP leader Carla Beck promised big, bold changes if elected in a couple of years saying healthcare workers deserve better and are being treated with disregard and disrespect by the provincial government.

The NDP recently released a four-pillar plan to connect every person with a primary care team. Beck says six-in-ten Saskatchewan people don’t have access to a family doctor, and surgical wait times are the longest in the country.

CUPE 5430 members have been without a contract since March 31, 2023, and have not had a raise in over four and a half years. Negotiations continue following CUPE 5430’s 99% strike vote mandate in September, but the parties remain far apart on wages.

“Our members have sacrificed so much to keep Saskatchewan’s health system running. They have taken zeroes, they are constantly working short, and they tolerate unacceptable working conditions on a daily basis. Now is the time to care for the ones that care for us,” said Bashir Jalloh, President of CUPE 5430.

SAHO’s latest offer would still leave most CUPE 5430 members making less than the Western Canadian Average, a benchmark traditionally used to determine appropriate wages for health care workers.

CUPE 5430 represents 14,000 health care workers in a wide range of health care providers in five major classification areas: clerical, technical, nursing, support, and plant operations.

(photo courtesy of CUPE 5430)