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PREMIER ROMANOW OFFERS TO MEET WITH SUN, SAHO

Released on April 7, 1999

Premier Roy Romanow made the following statement today (CHECK AGAINST

DELIVERY):



I want to make a statement today regarding labour negotiations in the

health sector.



First, I want to report that good progress is being made in

negotiations with the majority of the health care unions currently in

bargaining.



CUPE



SAHO reached a tentative agreement with the Canadian Union of Public

Employees. Both CUPE and SAHO are undertaking their ratification.

And we are hoping to receive the results in the next two weeks.



CUPE represents 12,000 health care workers, who are critical to the

health system.



This agreement is fair to CUPE members and fair to taxpayers.



SEIU



I'm also informed that SAHO is making good progress in discussions

with the SEIU, which represents 9,000 health care workers, also

critical to the health system.



We believe SAHO is on track to a tentative agreement that is fair to

SEIU members and fair to taxpayers.



SGEU



Negotiations with the Saskatchewan Government Employees Union in

the health sector are also on track and we are optimistic SAHO

will arrive at a fair agreement with them as well.



All of these agreements are within the seven per cent mandate,

and all include additional adjustments to address Dorsey and pay

equity issues.



SUN



I very much regret to report that similar progress is not being

made with the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses.



SUN is demanding a 22 per cent wage increase.



They have repeatedly emphasized that the 22 per cent raise they

are demanding is their key issue.



For example, On January 5, 1999, Ms. Longmoore told CBC Radio

that "wages and benefits for nurses across the province tops her

list." She said: "We have some members that are earning $9,000

annual salary more than other SUN members, and we are asking that

all SUN members be paid at that higher salary."



In pursuit of this 22 per cent wage demand, SUN has put SAHO and

the Minister of Health on notice that they plan to begin

disrupting the health system with strike action, within the next

48 hours.



Health Boards have told us very clearly that arrangements with

SUN for essential services are not adequate.



For example, the Regina Health District reported in a press

release today: "a walkout would put the safety of its patients,

residents and clients at risk." They continued: "The essential

services proposal from the union is inadequate . It would not be

possible for the Regina Health District to handle safely all

those who need our care."



Therefore, in all the circumstances, the government has no choice

but to act in the public interest and to ensure health services

are not disrupted.



SUN's request for 22 per cent is too much.



SUN is asking for a wage increase that would be unfair to other

health care workers, to other public sector workers who have

already settled or are in progress and to the taxpayers of this

province.



Forty cents out of every dollar in the provincial budget goes to

health care. We are doing everything we can to improve health

services.



But we can't afford 22 per cent wage increases.



I have therefore written today to the President of the

Saskatchewan Union of Nurses, Ms. Rosalee Longmoore, and to the

Chair of the Saskatchewan Organization of Health Organizations,

Mr. Brian Rourke.



I have invited these two individuals to meet with me tomorrow

morning at 9:00 a.m. to discuss this situation.



I'll listen carefully to everything and anything either side has

to say.



For my part, I am going into the meeting with two objectives in

mind.



First, I hope to achieve agreement in outline on a fair

salary settlement, in line with agreements signed by every

other public sector union in Saskatchewan.



Second, I hope the two parties will agree to pursue

negotiations over non-monetary issues in a reasonable

manner, or to agree to refer non-monetary issues to a

conciliator.



If we cannot find common ground on these matters in a timely

fashion, or if health care is disrupted by SUN in pursuit of

their 22 per cent pay demand, then the government will have more

to say, very shortly thereafter.



- 30 -



For more information, contact:



Anna Arneson

Media Services

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-0850

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