Regina, Saskatchewan, March 20, 2012 – Earlier today the five Saskatchewan Healthcare Unions submitted a framework for consultation to the provincial government on new essential services legislation that includes an outline of key essential service principles. The goal is to partner with the government to ensure that any new legislation developed will protect both the health and safety of the public.
“Patient safety and positive patient outcomes are of central importance to our organizations and we recognize the vital role our members play in these areas,” said Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) President, Rosalee Longmoore. “For this reason a collaborative approach that involves all stakeholders responsible for the delivery of health services is critical in order to maximize efficiency in developing essential services legislation.”
The Public Service Essential Services Act, or Bill 5, that limited the ability of public sector workers to go on strike during a labour dispute was ruled unconstitutional by a Queen’s Bench judge on February 6, 2012. This ruling is being appealed by the provincial government; however the government has indicated a willingness to work with provincial labour organizations to jointly improve legislation in a manner that will uphold the principles of essential services.
“We look forward to substantive and meaningful consultations with the Saskatchewan government, to develop new essential services legislation that protects both the health and safety of the public and collective bargaining rights,” says Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) President Tom Graham.
Healthcare delivery is the primary focus of every piece of essential service legislation across the country and the submitted essential service principles focus on a continued improvement to public health and patient experiences.
“We believe the work of our members is paramount to maintaining public safety and should not be withdrawn unnecessarily” notes Service Employees International Union-West (SEIU-West) President, Barbara Cape.
The five healthcare unions; Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan (HSAS), Service Employees International Union-West (SEIU-West), Saskatchewan Government and General Employees Union (SGEU) and Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN represent over 38,500 healthcare workers in the province of Saskatchewan.
Contact: Lars Murran, Public Relations Officer Office: 306-566-5582 Cell: 306-526-9175 Lars.murran@sun-nurses.sk.ca
