Representatives from the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN), the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), and the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO) came together to meet on June 23rd, 24th, 25th and 26th.

SUN’s Negotiations Committee continued its push for clarity and upgraded language throughout our Collective Agreement and managed to get a number of the remaining non-monetary items off the table through the signing off of many articles.

Discussions revolved around Articles 6 , 7, and 12 for the first two days of our four-day session ending in agreement by the parties to new language in the following articles:

  • 6.04 (a) and (b) – Language surrounding union dues that will include numerous upgrades to the information that is to be received by both the provincial office and the Locals.

  • 7.05, 7.06, 7.07, 7.09, 7.12, 7.19, 7.20, 7.21, 7.22, 7.24, 7.25, 7.26, 7.27 – These articles all fall under “Hours of Work” and have been updated to include certain new definitions that have been agreed to which define where our members actually work instead of simply “Facilities/Agencies”. In addition, there were many updates to provide clarity of the language to ensure the proper application of these articles.

  • 12.02, 12.04, 12.09 – Updated language for clarity and defining the term “Brought back to Duty”.

The one article within Article 7 that remains outstanding is 7.03 – Work Schedules. This is a topic that we will continue to discuss until our committee feels it has been addressed in some fashion. It was deferred at this time so the parties could move our discussions towards the topic of “Violence” within article 61.

Day three turned our discussions towards Articles 61.02, 61.03 and 61.05 which deal with occupational health and safety committees and the prevention of violence. Our initial proposals on these articles were met with comments that our current language was sufficient and in line with legislation, there seemed to only be interest from SAHO in doing some minor “housekeeping” within these articles. However, after two additional face to face discussions and our committee putting forward alternate language options, SAHO began to understand the importance of incorporating stronger language around violence for our membership. These discussions resulted in the agreement to significant upgrades to our current language surrounding violence that outlines a commitment from the parties that any form of violence in the workplace will not be acceptable and must not be tolerated.

On our final day together the parties continued discussions on Article 56, 57, 58, 59 and some additional “housekeeping” required in LOU #3. This produced agreement on Articles 56.03, 56.04, 56.05, 58.07 and LOU #3. Articles 57.01 and 59 were deferred by SAHO as they were not prepared to move away from their current proposed changes in this session.

Overall, this was a very fruitful four days as our team managed to get eighty-one (81) non-monetary articles agreed to and off the table. We also managed to get SAHO to withdraw its proposals on Article 35. The continued production of positive outcomes has been linked throughout this process to joint problem solving, modifying proposed language and returning with solutions that reflect the needs of both parties and this latest four-day session reflected these points.

As we have stated previously, SUN’s goal has been and always will be to problem-solve, consider the interests and challenges of all parties, and bring language that supports the broader goal of stabilizing, enhancing, and supporting the nursing workforce in Saskatchewan.

SUN’s Committee is hopeful that all parties will continue their commitment to productive discussions and significant progress when meetings resume on July 21st where the parties will begin discussing the items that have been deferred to date, such as Articles 26, 37, 45 which deal with mobility prior to beginning to address language of a monetary nature.

Negotiations Updates are regular communications meant to keep SUN members informed of the bargaining committee’s activities and the status of SUN’s bargaining efforts.