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.
“The Premier, Minister of Health and SAHO have all refused our request for independent, interest-based binding arbitration, claiming they want to see a new contract negotiated at the bargaining table. Now that there has been some movement from SAHO we are prepared to negotiate for as long as it takes to finalize a deal, holding further strike action in abeyance while progress is being made at the table,” Health Sciences President Cathy Dickson said.
“The SAHO President, who has never been at the bargaining table, claims in the news media that SAHO’s latest contract proposal is a ‘final offer’, not subject to negotiation. However her bargaining team said yesterday the terms of this so-called ‘final offer’ were open for discussion. Any attempt by SAHO to impose a contract now would also contradict what the Premier and Minister of Health have said about the need for a negotiated settlement,” Dickson noted.
Health Sciences presented the SAHO bargaining team with a counter proposal that contains a series of improvements to the employer offer tabled yesterday. These proposals include:
“We are confident that real progress can be made and a final contract can be concluded in the next few days if SAHO is ready to actually negotiate. We are very close, considering how far apart we have been,” Dickson concluded.
For Further Information Contact:
Cathy Dickson (President, Health Sciences)
1-306-361-5655