Health care at breaking point, say unions

Ahead of the Speech from the Throne, leaders from three Saskatchewan health care unions wrote yesterday to Premier Moe, seeking he keep his election night promise to fix the health care crisis.

In a joint letter signed by Bashir Jalloh (CUPE 5430 President), Lisa Zunti (SEIU-West President), and Tracey Sauer (SGEU President), they remind the Premier that now one year after the Sask. Party was narrowly re-elected to government, health care workers have yet to see improvements.

“Health care workers are at a breaking point,” the letter reads. “Short staffing is leading to facility closures in every corner of the province. Health care workers are leaving the profession and not coming back… and patients and residents are paying the price.”

“United in our efforts, we will fight for what health care workers deserve,” the letter continues. The three union presidents together represent nearly thirty thousand health care workers across the province.

The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, to which these three unions are affiliated, commends the solidarity in the letter. “For health care to work, we need investment in the people that make it work,” said SFL President and health care worker Lori Johb.

“Health care jobs used to be some of the best jobs in town, but low wages and morale have workers burnt out. Many are leaving the profession all together,” she said. Johb noted that the throne speech needs to show clear, meaningful investment in health care workers, as previous plans and promises were either insignificant or ineffective.