The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan donates $10,000 to the Regina Food Bank

REGINA, SK (October 19, 2017) – For 35 years, the Regina Food Bank has provided emergency food to communities in Regina and surrounding area, in a safe and welcoming environment that is centered around feeding hope, strengthening the community and providing resources to those who have found themselves in difficult situations.

Did you know that?

• The Regina Food Bank received 91,550 requests for services in 2016-17; they see, on average, 250 households a day
• Almost half (43%) of those who access services, including food, are children
• With students back at school, we’re reminded of the importance proper nutrition has on a child’s ability to lear

HSAS is a union representing more than 3,800 Health Care Professionals in over 30 specialized professions, who work within all twelve of Saskatchewan’s Health Regions, several privately-owned ambulance services in Saskatchewan, and at Canadian Blood Services in Regina. Many of our members such as registered dietitians and nutritionists, social workers, mental health therapists and emergency medical services personnel, see the direct impact of poverty and poor nutrition in Saskatchewan on a daily basis. This is why HSAS has chosen to support the Regina Food Bank by donating $10,000. HSAS also hosted a fundraising steak night at the Press Box in Regina on October 18, 2017, where all monies raised went directly to the Food Bank.

HSAS President, Karen Wasylenko: “The Regina Food Bank programs include initiatives that teach and share the many facets of healthy living, growing and preparing food, eating well and staying active. HSAS Professionals understand the critical role that useful education and true prevention have on an individual’s ability to thrive. Knowledge is Power. There is a natural fit between the goals of the Food Bank and the work of HSAS Professionals.”

Regina Food Bank Executive Director, Steve Compton: “Access to nutritious, high quality food is a consistent challenge for food banks to provide to families looking for assistance during difficult times. As a result of the significant support provided through this generous donation by the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan, the Regina Food Bank can ensure that emergency hampers are well rounded and can provide multiple healthy, nutritious menu options.”

The Regina Food Bank is always in need of volunteers, financial support, and food donations. At present, there is an immediate need of pasta, peanut butter and canned protein, such as tuna or ham.

Click “Read More” below for the photo gallery of the HSAS Food Bank tour and the steak night fundraiser.

For more information contact:

Steve Compton, Executive Director
Regina Food Bank
Phone: 306-559-1509
Mobile: 306-351-1392
Email: scompton@reginafoodbank.ca

 Or

Dawn Brown, Communications Officer
Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan
Phone: 306-585-7751
Mobile: 306-550-9191
Email: dawn@hsas.ca

Hunger Awareness Week Kickoff

Hunger Awareness Week Kickoff

The Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre recognizes national Hunger Awareness Week

MEDIA ADVISORY WHAT: A week long initiative to highlight Hunger Awareness in Canada

WHEN: Monday, September 18th at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre

Hunger Awareness Week is about raising awareness of the solvable problem of hunger in Canada.

During the week of September 18-22, food banks across Canada will tell their story to the public to raise awareness about the urgent needs in their communities.

At the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre, hunger affects students, seniors, working families, and individuals from all walks of life. Of the 22,000 people the organization sees each month, almost half are children.

During the week the organization is offering special tours that highlight the work of the food bank and sharing the many ways people can get involved. The Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre would also like to ask for the community’s support by helping raise 25,000 lbs in the following weeks.

The SFBLC is proud to welcome Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan (HSAS) as the lead sponsor of the week. Karen Wasylenko, President of HSAS will be available on site for media interviews, to speak to their involvement in this critical initiative. 

Karen Wasylenko, HSAS President: “The Food Bank programs include initiatives that teach and share the many facets of healthy living, growing and preparing food, eating well and staying active. HSAS Professionals understand the critical role that useful education and true prevention have on an individual’s ability to thrive. Knowledge is Power. There is a natural fit between the goals of the Food Bank and the work of HSAS Professionals.”

The Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre invites the media to come down and find out why hunger is a solvable problem, and what the SFBLC is doing to make a difference.

Laurie O’Connor, Executive Director of the SFBLC, is looking forward to the week: “It is so important to take the time to raise awareness of hunger and poverty in our city and in communities across Canada. Together, we are so much stronger. Raising awareness is the first step in building the partnerships that can strengthen our community and change the world.” 

Media Contacts: 

Laurie O’Connor, Executive Director

Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning

P (306) 664-6565 I C (306) 370-6998

E laurie.o@saskatoonfoodbank.org

Dawn Brown, Communications Officer

Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan

P (306 ) 955-3399 E dawn@hsas.ca

Canadian task force blasts Sask. hearing cuts

From the story:

The supply of audiologists in Saskatchewan pales in comparison to other provinces, and advocates say it’s about to get much worse.

That’s one reason deaf and hard of hearing children and their families are planning to protest at the Saskatchewan legislature later today.

“It just seems like a shotgun approach — target anything that moves,” said Karen Wasylenko, president of the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan (HSAS).

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/canadian-task-force-blasts-sask-hearing-cuts-1.4067757

RHA Amalgamation Interview

HSAS President Karen Wasylenko spoke to U of R Journalism student Michael Joel-Hasen for the CJTR- Regina Community Radio program 2445, about the upcoming RHA Amalgamation. Click below to hear the full program. The story starts at the 4:00 minute mark.

https://soundcloud.com/jschoolradio/1master-2945-final-changes-show1-mixdown-1
(shared with permission from CJTR – Regina Community Radio)

CTV Saskatoon Interview – Public Sector Employee Wage Notices

HSAS President Karen Wasylenko spoke to CTV Saskatoon about concerns among health care unions regarding letters sent out to all public employers with regards to freezing or rolling back wages, with the ultimatum of possible layoffs.

News Talk 980 CJME Interview – Merging Health Regions

HSAS President Karen Wasylenko spoke to News Talk 980 CJME about the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health’s decision to merge all health regions into one health authority.

CTV Saskatoon Interview – Consolidating Saskatchewan Health Regions

HSAS President Karen Wasylenko spoke with CTV Saskatoon about how HSAS is staying optimistic ahead of the amalgamation process of consolidating Saskatchewan Health Regions.

Letter to the Editor – Saskatoon Health Region Cuts

HSAS sent a letter regarding Audiologist layoffs in the Saskatoon Health Region to the Editors of  news papers and publications in the Saskatoon Health Region, Prince Albert Parkland Health Region, Prairie North Health Region, Kelsey Trail Health Region, Keewatin Yatthé Health Region and the Mamawetan Churchill River Regional Health Authority.

Saskatoon Health Region Cuts Audiologist Positions – CBC Interview

HSAS President Karen Wasylenko spoke to the CBC Saskatoon Morning Show about the negative impacts of cutting two Audiologist positions within the Saskatoon Health Region.

Labour Day Interview – Leader Post & Star Phoenix

In celebration of Labour Day, HSAS President Karen Wasylenko spoke to the Regina Leader Post and the Saskatoon Star Phoenix about the role HSAS members have in enhancing the quality of health care in Saskatchewan…

Public Opinion Survey Shows Health Care Under-Staffing A Concern

Regina (November 16, 2015) – A province-wide public opinion survey commissioned by the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan shows Saskatchewan residents are concerned that the under- staffing of specialized health care professionals endangers their access to needed health care services, Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan President, Karen Wasylenko, told a Regina news conference.

Saskatoon Patients Waiting for Long Term Care Being Moved to Rural Hospitals

Saskatoon (November 3, 2015) – There is such a backlog of patients in Saskatoon hospitals, who have been assessed and approved for long term care placement, but don’t have a bed to go to, that the Saskatoon Health Region (SHR) is trying to convince seniors and their families to accept a move to one of the region’s rural hospitals, where they may wait months before they finally get a long term care bed, Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan President Karen Wasylenko said today.

Saskatchewan Health Regions Putting Long Term Care Residents at Risk

Regina (June 16, 2015) – Two surveys conducted among specialized health care professionals who serve Long Term Care residents, confirm that health regions have understaffed these critical services for years, and have done nothing to fix the problem, in spite of a series of public complaints and investigations this year into the state of Long Term Care in Saskatchewan.

Health Science Professionals Reject ‘Final Offer’ in Vote Forced by SAHO

Regina (May 27, 2015) – Specialized health care professionals represented by the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan have voted 80% to reject a so-called ‘final offer’ contract proposal from Saskatchewan health care employers, represented by SAHO, Health Sciences President Karen Wasylenko reported today.

Supreme Court of Canada Essential Services Decision

To All HSAS Members:

Many of you would have heard the news (click here) that on Friday January 30, 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada, eight months after the May 2014 hearings, rendered their decision (click here) that Saskatchewan’s Public Service Essential Services Act (PSESA), was unconstitutional. The PSESA was enacted in May of 2008.

Pharmacists Severely Under-Staffed, Threatening Patient Safety

Public Opinion Survey Shows Need for Increased Health Region Accountability

Saskatoon (October 30, 2014) – A province-wide public opinion survey commissioned by the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan confirms Saskatchewan residents are concerned with the ability of their local health regions to deliver needed health care services efficiently, Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan President, Karen Wasylenko, told a Saskatoon news conference.

Health Sciences Calls for Independent Review of Rural EMS

Saskatoon (October 16, 2014) – The ambulance service provided to rural and remote communities by Saskatchewan health regions is dangerously under-staffed and poorly managed, and there needs to be an independent review of how health regions are performing this vital life and death service, according to the President of the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan, Karen Wasylenko.

Health Regions Misleading the Public on Professional Under-Staffing

Saskatoon (October 9, 2014) – Saskatoon Health Region is the latest region to be caught trying to mislead the public about its under-staffing of specialized health care professionals, and hide the impact this is having on needed health care services, Health Sciences President, Karen Wasylenko, said.

Health Sciences Professionals Vote in Favour of Job Action

Saskatoon (May 1, 2014) – The President of the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan, KarenWasylenko, says the union membership has voted 85.5 per cent in favour of job action.

Inefficient Staffing Could Lead to Hospital Admissions Crisis

Saskatoon (March 10, 2014) – Saskatoon Health Region could soon face another hospital admissions crisis, due in part to its inefficient staffing of the people responsible for arranging patient access to Special Care Homes, Home Care Programs, Community Therapy Services and Community Volunteer Services such as Meals on Wheels, Health Sciences President Karen Wasylenko said today.

Health Care Layoffs in the Far North Mean Reduced Public Services

Saskatoon (February 7, 2014) – The Mamawetan Churchill River Health Region recently laid off two specialized Health Educators, which will mean a significant reduction of services for the region’s more than twenty-three thousand residents, Health Sciences President Karen Wasylenko said.

Survey Confirms Understaffing a Serious Health Care Issue

Saskatoon (December 4, 2013) – A recent survey of the specialized health care professionals represented by the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan shows that six-in-ten (60.4%) believe their profession is under-staffed in their health care workplace, Health Sciences President Karen Wasylenko said.

HSAS Exchanges Proposals with SAHO

To all HSAS Members:

Your Negotiating team met with the SAHO Inc. negotiating team early this afternoon for exchange of bargaining proposals. Each team is in the process of reviewing the received proposals and will be meeting tomorrow to speak to their respective proposals.

RQHR Hospital Pharmacists Severely Under-Staffed

Regina (July 29, 2013) – The severe under-staffing of hospital pharmacists in the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region means patients in a number of Regina hospital wards, including the Cardiac Care Unit and the Children’s Ward at the Regina General Hospital, are receiving minimal assistance with critical drug therapy, Health Sciences President Karen Wasylenko said.

Physical Therapy Services Cut in Five Hills Health Region

Moose Jaw (July 23, 2013) – A document obtained by the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan shows that the Five Hills Health Region, which includes the City of Moose Jaw, has a 50% vacancy rate among its physical therapists, and has drastically cut services to patients, including children and those with chronic conditions and injuries.

Therapy Services Severely Understaffed

Regina (July 16, 2013) – A recent internal memo from the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region states that physical and occupational therapists are so severely under-staffed: “it is no longer possible to continue to provide service as per standard practice”.

Health Sciences President Reacts to Provincial Budget

Regina (March 20, 2013) – The 2013-2014 Saskatchewan Provincial Budget, with its 4.5% increase ($131.8 Million) in base operating funding for Saskatchewan health regions, means those regions should get on with the job of improving needed health care services, and becoming more accountable to the public for the tax dollars they spend, Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan President Karen Wasylenko said immediately following the introduction of the provincial budget.

Closure of Chronic Pain Centre Means Lost Patient Services

Saskatoon (February 26, 2013) – The announcement by Saskatoon Health Region that it will close the Chronic Pain Centre located at Saskatoon City Hospital, represents a significant loss of service for more than one-hundred patients who access this inter-disciplinary program, Health Sciences President Karen Wasylenko said.

Mental Health and Addictions Services Under Staffed

Saskatoon (January 25, 2013) – The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan, the union which represents more than three-thousand specialized health care professionals, supports recent statements by Saskatoon’s Chief of Police that dealing with addictions and mental health problems is not a law and order issue, but a health care issue, Health Sciences President Karen Wasylenko said.

Why are Health Regions Cutting Occupational Therapy Positions?

Saskatoon (November 16, 2012) – In the past year, Saskatchewan health regions have cut positions for occupational therapists by nearly 11%, even though waiting lists for many critical services have grown, and Saskatchewan continues to have the lowest number of occupational therapists for its population of all Canadian provinces, the President of the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan, Karen Wasylenko, told a Saskatoon news conference.

Mediation Requested by Ambulance Workers

Nipawin – After working for nearly two years to try to negotiate their first contract with NorthEast Emergency Medical Services (NorthEast EMS), a private sector ambulance company serving Nipawin and Carrot River, ambulance workers are asking for a provincial mediator in an effort to conclude an agreement.

Occupational Therapist Vacancies in Saskatoon Health Region

Occupational Therapy is a health care profession which provides many wide-ranging services to a variety of people from infants to older adults. Occupational Therapy is provided to people who have problems with their ability to perform normal activities of daily living. This may be due to many different causes including physical injury, emotional or developmental problems, stroke, elective surgery, chronic disease, aging and birth defects to name a few.

Staffing of Respiratory Therapists Reaching Crisis Levels

Regina (May 3, 2012) – Saskatchewan health regions have failed to adequately staff respiratory therapist positions, and the number of vacancies for these specialized health care professionals is reaching crisis levels, Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan President Karen Wasylenko told a Regina news conference.

Prince Albert Parkland Health Region Failing to Fill Vacancies

Prince Albert (April 2, 2012) – In recent weeks there have been as many as twelve professional health care positions vacant in the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region’s mental health program, and the region’s failure to fill these vacancies has resulted in longer waiting lists for people needing a variety of important health care services, Health Sciences President Karen Wasylenko told a Prince Albert news conference.

Health Regions Need to Fill Vacancies, Restore Needed Services

Regina (March 21, 2012) – The introduction of the 2012-2013 Saskatchewan Provincial Budget, with its 3.5% increase in funding for Saskatchewan health regions, means those regions should get on with the job of filling 150 advertised vacancies among the specialized health care professionals represented by the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan, and restoring the public health care services reduced by these vacancies, Health Sciences President Karen Wasylenko said immediately following the introduction of the provincial budget.

Saskatchewan has Lowest Level of Occupational Therapists in Canada

Regina (December 7, 2011) – Saskatchewan continues to have the lowest level of Occupational Therapists in Canada, resulting in long waiting lists for many critical services, and unsafe levels of access to others, according to the President of the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan, Karen Wasylenko.

Physical Therapist Vacancies High; Waiting Lists Grow

Saskatoon (November 3, 2011) – Within weeks of signing a new contract with Saskatchewan’s specialized health care professions, health regions have filed information admitting that they have been unable to retain and recruit enough physical therapists this year to provide adequate service levels for the public, Health Sciences President Karen Wasylenko said.

Concerns Raised about Potential Health Care Layoffs

Regina (October 25, 2011) – Do the provincial government and health care employers have a plan to lay off health care professionals after the November 7th Provincial Election, asks Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan President-Elect Karen Wasylenko.

Health Sciences Members Ratify New Contract

Regina (August 5, 2011) – Members of the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan have voted 87% in favour of the new contract agreement reached last month with health care employers, Health Sciences President Cathy Dickson announced.

Health Sciences Negotiating Committee Welcomes Tentative Agreement

Regina (July 8, 2011) – The tentative agreement reached between health care employers and the Health Sciences Negotiating Committee represents progress from the so-called ‘final offer’ that SAHO presented to the union one month ago, Health Sciences President Cathy Dickson said.

Notice to the News Media: Strike Action Update

June 24, 2011 – The 400 Health Sciences members who have taken part in strike action in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert this week will return to their jobs this morning (Friday). No additional job action is planned for today.

Health Sciences Strike Action Continues

Regina (June 23, 2011) – Rotating strikes by Saskatchewan’s specialized health care professionals will continue today (Thursday) in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert with about 400 Health Sciences members remaining off the job.

Strike Action Continues in Three Cities

Regina (June 22, 2011) – Rotating strikes by Saskatchewan’s specialized health care professionals will continue today in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert with about 400 Health Sciences members off the job.

Wall Government Legislation a Failure

Regina (June 21, 2011) – The Wall government’s Essential Services legislation, which was supposed to help settle contract negotiations in vital sectors like health care, has instead resulted in gridlock at the bargaining table, and is now directly responsible for the longest health care strike in Saskatchewan history, Health Sciences President Cathy Dickson said today.

Strike Action in Three Cities

Regina (June 21, 2011) – Rotating strikes by Saskatchewan’s specialized health care professionals will see about four hundred Health Sciences members off the job at eight o’clock this morning in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert.

Flawed Law Responsible for Longest Health Care Strike in Saskatchewan History

Prince Albert (June 20, 2011) – The Wall government’s flawed Essential Services law is directly responsible for what has become the longest health care strike in Saskatchewan history, Health Sciences President Cathy Dickson charged today.

Health Sciences Announces Strike Action in Four Cities

Prince Albert (June 20, 2011) – Rotating strikes by Saskatchewan’s specialized health care professionals enter a seventh week today, with about three hundred Health Sciences members off the job at eight o’clock this morning in Regina, Moose Jaw, North Battleford and Prince Albert.

Job Action Begins in Four Health Regions

Saskatoon (June 16, 2011) – More than one-hundred specialized health care professionals in four different health regions will be on strike as of eight o’clock this morning (Thursday), Health Sciences Association President, Cathy Dickson announced.

Wall Government Continues to Ignore Strong Public Support for Arbitration

Saskatoon (June 16, 2011) – The Wall government continues to ignore strong public support for the use of independent, binding arbitration to resolve the 27-month contract dispute between health care employers and Saskatchewan’s specialized health care professionals, Health Sciences Association President, Cathy Dickson said.

News Media Notice Issued Evening of June 16

June 16, 2011 – The more than 100 Health Sciences members who took part in strike action today (Thursday) in North Battleford, Humboldt, Melfort and Weyburn will return to their jobs tomorrow (Friday).

SAHO ‘Final Offer’ Contains Hidden Contract Take-Aways

Saskatoon (June 15, 2011) – The ‘final offer’ tabled last week by health care employers has been found to contain at least two hidden contract take-aways that would result in a salary loss of approximately 3% for about five-hundred Health Sciences professionals, and reduced financial recognition for educational achievement, Health Sciences President Cathy Dickson said.

Chronic Under-Staffing at Heart of Health Care Strike Action

Saskatoon (June 14, 2011) – The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan, the union which represents more than three-thousand specialized health care professionals, says unsafe staffing levels, every bit as much as competitive wages and benefits, are at the heart of its ongoing contract dispute with health care employers.

News Media Notice Issued Evening of June 14

June 14, 2011 – The more than 400 Health Sciences members who have taken part in strike action in Saskatoon since last Friday will return to their jobs tomorrow (Wednesday). No additional job action is planned for Wednesday.

Wall Government Must Act to Prevent Escalating Health Care Strikes

Saskatoon (June 13, 2011) – The Wall government can only prevent escalating health care strikes across Saskatchewan by ordering SAHO to bargain in good faith or agreeing to send the current contract dispute between SAHO and Health Sciences to independent, interest-based, binding arbitration, Health Sciences President Cathy Dickson said.

Escalating Strike Action in Saskatoon

Saskatoon (June 13, 2011) – About four-hundred specialized health care professionals in the Saskatoon Health Region will be on strike at eight o’clock this morning (Monday), Health Sciences Association President, Cathy Dickson has announced.

Health Sciences Announces Job Action for Saskatoon

Saskatoon (June 10, 2011) – About three-hundred specialized health care professionals in the Saskatoon Health Region will be on strike beginning at eight o’clock this morning (Friday), Health Sciences Association President, Cathy Dickson has announced.

Government and SAHO Running Out of Excuses

Saskatoon (June 10, 2011) – The Wall government and SAHO are running out of excuses to try to avoid sending the ongoing contract dispute with Saskatchewan’s specialized health care professionals to independent, interest-based, binding arbitration, Health Sciences President Cathy Dickson said.

SAHO Refuses to Negotiate, Leaves the Bargaining Table

Regina (June 9, 2011) – After spending weeks calling for a negotiated contract settlement, health care employers today refused to negotiate when presented with a new contract proposal from Health Sciences, and promptly left the bargaining table, Health Sciences President Cathy Dickson said.

Health Sciences Presents Counter Proposal to Health Care Employers

Regina (June 9, 2011) – The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan presented a counter proposal to health care employers today, building on the progress achieved with the latest employer offer, and pledging to remain at the bargaining table through the weekend, if necessary, to finalize an agreement.

Health Sciences Says SAHO Proposal ‘Basis for Negotiations’

Regina (June 8, 2011) – The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan says the contract offer presented at the bargaining table this morning by SAHO can form the basis for further negotiations, and the union is preparing a counter proposal for presentation as early as tomorrow (Thursday), Health Sciences President Cathy Dickson announced.

Health Regions Playing Political Games with Job Postings

Prince Albert (June 7, 2011) – Since Saskatchewan’s three-thousand specialized health care professionals began strike action last month, to focus public attention on chronic under-staffing and non-competitive wages and benefits for their professions, health regions have been playing political games with job postings in an attempt to cover up these serious problems, Health Sciences President Cathy Dickson charged.

SAHO Claims To Have New Contract Offer – Negotiations Set For June 8

Prince Albert (June 1, 2011) – The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan has agreed to meet with SAHO next week, because health care employers claim to have a new contract offer to present to Saskatchewan’s three-thousand specialized health care professionals, Health Sciences President Cathy Dickson announced.

Wall Government Sending Mixed Messages on Arbitration

Regina (May 31, 2011) – Saskatchewan’s specialized health care professionals are calling on the Wall government to prevent escalating health care strikes, by agreeing to submit their current contract dispute with health care employers to independent, binding arbitration.

News Media Update

Yorkton (May 26, 2011) – The Health Sciences members who took part in job action Wednesday and Thursday in the Sunrise Health Region will return to work tomorrow (Friday).

Health Regions Deliberately Under-Staffing Health Care Professions

Yorkton (May 26, 2011) – Saskatchewan Health Regions are deliberately under-staffing specialized health care professions in an attempt to balance their budgets at the expense of Saskatchewan patients, Health Sciences President Cathy Dickson said in Yorkton.

News Media Update

Yorkton (May 25, 2011) – The Health Sciences members who took part in job action Wednesday in the Sunrise Health Region will remain off the job tomorrow (Thursday). These members will continue to picket at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre, 270 Bradbrooke Drive.

Wall Government Can Avoid Strike Action With Independent, Binding Arbitration

Yorkton (May 25, 2011) – The Wall government can avoid further strike action by Saskatchewan’s three-thousand specialized health care professionals simply by agreeing to submit Health Sciences’ current contract dispute with health care employers to independent, binding arbitration, Health Sciences President Cathy Dickson said.

Health Sciences Job Action in Yorkton

Yorkton (May 25, 2011) – About sixty specialized health care professionals from the Sunrise Health Region will be on strike beginning at eight o’clock this morning (Wednesday), Health Sciences Association President, Cathy Dickson has announced.

Poll Shows Strong Public Support for Independent, Binding Arbitration

Does Wall Government Want Health Care Strikes to Continue?

Regina (May 17, 2011) – The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan says it’s now up to the Wall government to propose a solution to the lengthy contract dispute between health care employers and Saskatchewan’s three-thousand specialized health care professionals.

Health Sciences Job Action in Regina

Regina (May 17, 2011) – About one hundred twenty specialized health care professionals in the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region will be on strike beginning at eight o’clock this morning (Tuesday), Health Sciences Association President, Cathy Dickson has announced.

Premier Can Avoid Further Strike Action with Independent, Binding Arbitration

Prince Albert (May 16, 2011) – The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan has announced there will be no additional strike action by Health Sciences members today, giving Premier Wall a “window of opportunity” to avoid additional strike action, by agreeing to send the union’s lengthy contract dispute with health care employers to independent, binding arbitration.

Health Region Management Makes Difficult Situation Worse

Swift Current (May 13, 2011) – While about fifty specialized health care professionals in the Cypress Health Region are on strike today, health care managers are taking unhelpful steps that have increased the impact of this job action on patients across the region, Health Sciences Association President Cathy Dickson charged.

Health Sciences Targets Service Impacts of Under-Staffing

Swift Current (May 13, 2011) – The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan says chronic under-staffing by health care employers is risking the safety of many Saskatchewan patients, and forcing many others to wait unacceptable lengths of time to access needed health care services.

Health Sciences Job Action in Swift Current

Swift Current (May 13, 2011) – About fifty specialized health care professionals in the Cypress Health Region will be on strike beginning at eight o’clock this morning (Friday), Health Sciences Association President, Cathy Dickson has announced.

Health Sciences Continues to Focus on Risks to Patient Safety

Saskatoon (May 11, 2011) – The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan says chronic under-staffing by health care employers is risking the safety of Saskatchewan patients.

Health Sciences Job Action in Saskatoon

Saskatoon (May 11, 2011) – About one-hundred fifty specialized health care professionals in the Saskatoon Health Region will be on strike beginning at eight o’clock this morning (Wednesday), Health Sciences Association President, Cathy Dickson has announced.

Health Professionals Reject Inadequate Proposal, Bargaining Suspended

Saskatoon (May 10, 2011) – The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan has rejected a proposal from health care employers and the Wall government as “totally inadequate” and has suspended further talks until employers and the government can confirm that they have a fair and reasonable contract offer to make, Health Sciences President Cathy Dickson said.

Health Sciences Focus on Risks to Patient Safety

Prince Albert (May 9, 2011) – The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan sees strike action by its members, which launched Monday in Prince Albert, as an important opportunity to highlight how chronic under-staffing by health care employers is risking the safety of Saskatchewan patients, Health Sciences President Cathy Dickson said.

Health Sciences Job Action Begins in Prince Albert

Prince Albert (May 9, 2011) – About sixty specialized health care professionals in the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region will be on strike beginning at eight o’clock this morning (Monday), Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan President, Cathy Dickson, has announced.

48 Hours Strike Notice

This afternoon, as required by law, the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan provided health care employers and the Wall government with 48 hours strike notice.

Health Sciences Issue Strike Notice

Prince Albert (May 6, 2011) – The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan, the union which represents more than three-thousand specialized health care professionals, has formally issued 48-Hours Strike Notice to health care employers and the Wall government, President Cathy Dickson announced at a Prince Albert news conference.

Health Sciences Calls for Independent, Binding Arbitration of Contract Dispute

Regina (April 27, 2011) – The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan, the union which represents more than three-thousand specialized health care professionals, today called on Premier Wall to agree to submit the union’s lengthy contract dispute with health care employers to independent, binding arbitration.

Health Sciences Shows How Chronic Under-Staffing Risks Patient Safety

Regina (April 26, 2011) – Saskatchewan’s chronic under-staffing of specialized health care professionals has created long waiting lists for some health care services, and stretched the limits of patient safety for others, the President of the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan, Cathy Dickson said.

Health Sciences Launches TV Ads on Government Double Standard

Prince Albert (April 3, 2011) – The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan, the union which represents more than three-thousand specialized health care professionals, will launch television advertisements across the province this week questioning the provincial government’s double standard with respect to health care negotiations, President Cathy Dickson announced.

Contract Talks Break Off when Health Care Employers Refuse to Release Information on Staffing and Patient Service Levels

Regina (November 17, 2010) – The President of the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan, Cathy Dickson, says the union has broken off contract talks with health care employers over the employers’ refusal to release information about current staffing levels for the specialized health care professions it represents, and the impact these staffing decisions are having on the quality of health care services provided to Saskatchewan patients.

Health Sciences President Accuses Health Care Employers of Ignoring Patient Needs

Saskatoon (November 5, 2010) – The new President of the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan, Cathy Dickson, says health care employers have stalled contract talks with the specialized health care professionals represented by her union, ignoring the needs of Saskatchewan patients in the process.

Health Care Employers Failing to Provide Adequate Ambulance Service

Regina (October 25, 2010) – A year after the provincial government’s own study of Saskatchewan ambulance services found too many people having to wait unsafe amounts of time for an ambulance, health care employers have taken no meaningful steps to improve the recruitment and retention of emergency medical services staff, especially in Rural Saskatchewan, the Chair of the Saskatchewan Health Sciences Negotiating Committee, Bill Fischer, told a news conference.

Health Bureaucrats Ordering Early Discharge of Regina Hospital Patients

Regina (October 8, 2010) – An internal memo obtained by the Saskatchewan Health Sciences Union shows the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region (RQHR) is now using gangs of senior bureaucrats, not the responsible health care professionals, to order the early discharge of patients from Regina hospitals.

Specialized Health Care Professionals Frustrated with Slow Pace of Negotiations

Saskatoon (September 27, 2010) – The more than three-thousand specialized health care professionals who are members of the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan are frustrated and concerned that they have been without a contract for more than a year, Acting President Cathy Dickson told a news conference.