Contract negotiations between CUPE Local 5430 and the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO) remain slow-moving, with union leaders raising concerns about stalled progress and ongoing resistance at the table. Arlene Picard, General Vice-President for CUPE 5430 Region 4 based out of Weyburn, says talks have continued through regular meetings, but meaningful movement has been limited. “We continue to meet with SAHO on the negotiations for our collective agreement, and it still remains very slow,” Picard said. CUPE 5430 represents more than 14,000 health-care workers across Saskatchewan in hospitals, long-term care, and community services, making it one of the province’s largest health unions. Worker mobility proposals creating challenges at the table A key issue in negotiations continues to centre around the employer’s push to expand the ability to move workers and services across regions and job classifications. Picard says that while SAHO has adjusted some of its proposals, there is still a lack of clarity around how those changes would work in practice. “They’ve narrowed it down somewhat, but they’re still not 100 per cent sure how it’s going to work either,” she said. “So it’s hard for us to bargain with that.” The concern from the union side is that differences between collective agreements, such as vacation time, benefits, and sick leave, make it difficult to move employees across union jurisdictions without creating inequities. “That becomes very difficult when you’re crossing those boundaries,” Picard explained. She adds that the issue is now holding up progress on other parts of the agreement. “They really want that in the collective agreement, and they don’t want to sign off on other items until they get what they want.” Related Stories: Saskatchewan CCAs earn lowest wages in Canada, CUPE 5430 says CUPE 5430 Returning to bargaining April 20 Ongoing resistance slows progress on key issues Beyond worker mobility, Picard says there continues to be resistance from the employer on several union proposals. Negotiations are scheduled every other week throughout the summer, including upcoming sessions in Regina, but she says the pace has been frustrating for members. Earlier coverage has highlighted similar concerns, with slow movement on wages, staffing, and working conditions continuing to affect frontline workers. “We’re trying to move things forward, but there’s still a lot of resistance at the table,” she said. That lack of progress has left many workers feeling uncertain about what comes next and how long negotiations could continue. Union urging members to speak directly to the government As bargaining continues, CUPE 5430 is calling on its members to help apply pressure outside of negotiations by reaching out to decision-makers. “We need them to reach out to the government, to the Saskatchewan Health Authority, and to the Ministry of Health, and tell them what they want or don’t want,” Picard said. The union has been mobilizing members across the province, gathering feedback and bringing those concerns back to the table, but Picard says there remains a disconnect. “We’re taking what our members want to bargaining, but the employer isn’t agreeing with us on that.” The Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations acts as the employers’ bargaining agent for the province’s health system, negotiating on behalf of health-sector employers. Related Stories: CUPE 5430: Health‑care negotiations still creeping along Saskatchewan health‑care workers renew pressure after CUPE 5430 rally CUPE 5430 flags ongoing staff losses as bargaining opens LPN scope of practice changes spark new questions Alongside bargaining, union representatives recently joined discussions at the Saskatchewan Legislature regarding licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and their scope of practice. The provincial government announced in May it would remove more than 240 clinical policy barriers to allow nurses to work to the full extent of their training. While that change is intended to improve care and efficiency across the system, Picard says the actual impact may be limited. “Some of those policies are so out of date that they don’t affect a lot of the scope of practice,” she said. She adds the union will be watching closely to determine whether the changes meaningfully improve working conditions or patient care. Wages remain a major concern for frontline workers For many workers, wages continue to be one of the most pressing concerns in the ongoing negotiations. Picard, who has worked in the health-care system for four decades, says current pay levels are not keeping up with the demands of the job or the rising cost of living. “I’ve been working in the health authority for 40 years, and I make $23.55 an hour,” she said. “I would not be able to survive on my own with the wage I earn.” She says many employees feel their compensation does not reflect the level of responsibility or workload they carry on a daily basis. That gap, she adds, is contributing to ongoing challenges with recruitment and retention across the province. What comes next as negotiations continue through the summer With bargaining scheduled to continue until late August, the next few months will be critical in determining whether progress can be made. Picard says the union will continue engaging members and preparing for all possible outcomes, including potential escalation if talks stall further. “There still has to be essential services bargaining, which can take some time,” she said. “But it’s getting closer to that for sure.” For now, she says the focus remains on securing a fair deal for workers across Saskatchewan’s health-care system. “We are trying at the table to get what they deserve,” Picard said. “And we won’t stop until we do.”