WEYBURN – Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck met with front line health-care workers in Weyburn on Wednesday to discuss mounting challenges in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and emergency rooms, including stagnant wages and chronic under staffing.
Joined by Arlene Picard, general vice-present of CUPE Local 5430, which represents over 1,400 healthcare workers in southern Saskatchewan, Beck said there is an urgent need for government action to address service disruptions and retain staff.
Beck said repeated closures of critical services in Weyburn, including radiology, which was shut down for more than 20 days in the past year, and ultrasound services, closed for more than 50 days.
“This is in the birthplace of Medicare,” said Beck. “We need to do better than this for Saskatchewan people, and in order to deliver the health care that people need.”
The upcoming opening of Weyburn’s new hospital, she added, means little without a plan to recruit and retain staff.
Picard said the government needs to come to the bargaining table for a fair deal.
“We can’t stall any longer,” she said. “We’re losing workers out of the sector because they can’t afford to stay.
“They were once known as heroes and now zeroes, and that’s exactly how they feel in this province.”
Picard described unsustainable working conditions, including forced overtime, denied vacation requests, and staff routinely covering multiple roles.
“They might have to work two shifts, 24 hours, and more sometimes.”
With contract negotiations coming up, Picard said CUPE will push for better work-life balance and relief staffing provisions, though wage discussions depend on the province.
