Key issue is ability of nurses to call in extra staff when patient safety at risk, nurses union says
Collective bargaining talks between Saskatchewan's registered nurses and management have stalled.
On Thursday, the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) said that after seven months of bargaining with the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations, they are at an impasse.
Details of what's being offered have been under a media blackout over that time.
According to SUN, one sticking point concerns the ability of nurses to call in extra staff in cases where patient safety is at stake. The union is accusing SAHO, the agency that represents health districts at the bargaining table, of trying to restrict this approach.
"We are incredibly disappointed and believe this to be a missed opportunity for SAHO to collaborate with the province's almost 10,000 registered nurses on finding solutions to improving both patient care and workplaces," SUN president Tracy Zambory said in a news release.
The last contract expired on March 31, 2014.
SUN is one of the province's largest unions and any labour disruption would have major implications for health care throughout the province.
The breakdown comes as Saskatchewan politicians are gearing up for an election on April 4.
It's still early in the process, but if there's a strike, it could be the first test of the province's recently amended essential services law.
That law allows the government to order public sector workers deemed essential back on the job.
Published: February 11, 2016
Source: CBC News http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/contract-stall-between-registered-nurses-management-1.3443939
