CUPE health care workers delivered hundreds of postcards to the Legislature on Wednesday for the Leader of the Saskatchewan Party. They were signed by health care workers from across the province. President of CUPE 5430, Bashir Jalloh, says their message is that all health care providers need to be recognized for their invaluable work, starting with better wages and working conditions. He explains that the Local 5430 members have been without a contract for a year and a half and the bargaining process has stalls. Jalloh calls on union members and the public to make the provincial election a health care election, urging the next government to make health care a priority. CUPE 5430 represents nearly 14,000 health care providers working for the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and affiliates in five major classifications areas: clerical, technical, nursing, support, and plant operations.
Thursday registered nurses, doctors, teachers, and members of the public are planning a rally on the steps of the Saskatchewan Legislature over the noon hour. Nurses will be marching from the Royal Saskatchewan Museum to the Saskatchewan Legislature leading up to the rally kick off. A media advisory from the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses says the province is in a health care crisis and says registered nurse shortages continue in a downward spiral. SUN cites emergency room overcrowding, hallway beds, critical nursing shortages and declining access to rural care.