Two provincial health organizations have ratified new collective bargaining agreements with the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO Inc.).
Both the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) and the Service Employees’ International Union West (SEIU-West) have ratified new agreements.
SEIU-West first reached a tentative agreement back in November, with SUN doing the same shortly thereafter.
The SEIU-West collective agreement is for five years from Apr. 1, 2017 to Mar. 31, 2022 with a financial settlement of zero per cent, zero per cent, one per cent, two per cent, and two per cent. There is an option for a sixth year at two per cent.
The SUN CBA includes a financial settlement of zero per cent, zero per cent, one per cent, two per cent, two per cent and two per cent. It is touted as "one of the first agreements in health care to recognize the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission relating to health care." The collective agreement runs from Apr. 1, 2018 to Mar. 31, 2024.
“I am very pleased to see a successful conclusion to the collective bargaining with our important health unions,” Health Minister Paul Merriman said in a press release. “I want to thank everyone for their collaborative efforts to reach these milestones and to continue to provide valued health services to the residents of our province.”
