My thoughts about being a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the Province of Saskatchewan
Member Story
My name is Judy Denniss and I have been a LPN at Saskatoon City Hospital for 33 years.
Right now, I feel that I am being held hostage by the provincial government. I say this because I have been working without a collective agreement since April 1, 2008 due to the regressive action of the Saskatchewan Party government.
The Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO) is the body that negotiates on behalf of the employer groups and the government, and they have refused to bargain fairly. Up until last week, SAHO refused to return to the bargaining table in the true meaning of collective bargaining. They insisted that SEIU-West take their offer to the membership to vote on. This would be a futile endeavor in my opinion as SAHO increased their general wage offer by only .1% (point one percent) since our members last reviewed and voted on the offer. SEIU-West obtained an overwhelming strike vote from the membership at that time. SAHO’s offer is a minimal 4% in the first year, 2% in the second year, 1.5% in the third year, and another 2% in the fourth year.
Two years ago, SAHO gave the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) an increase of 37%. Included in the 37% for SUN was a top up of overtime to double time for every minute of overtime they work. It also included increasing the weekend premiums for SUN nurses to $3.10/hr, and shift premiums to $3.75/hr. In addition, any SUN member with 20 years of service would get an additional 2% in the hope of retaining their services in Saskatchewan. The employer fully pays the annual fees for SUN members at current rates charged by their regulatory body. SAHO has not offered any of these items to LPN's or any other health care provider, unless you’re a registered nurse.
This is unacceptable. SAHO and the provincial government should not be picking winners and losers in the health care team.
How can they refuse to offer any of these parity issues to SEIU-West, or any of the other Health Care Provider Unions that are fighting for a fair Collective Agreement for those who provide care and services in the Saskatchewan’s health care system?
During the Saskatchewan Licensed Practical Nurses (SALPN) annual convention a few weeks ago, the Minister of Health, the Honorable Don McMorris, failed to show up. In the past, the Minister of Health always addressed LPN's at our annual meeting. This year we listened to the Chief Nursing Officer deliver a few kind words about "how valued LPN's are" in the health care team. I suspect the Mr. McMorris was nervous about addressing the LPN's, who for the most part, feel the same way I do.
A number of my fellow LPN's had questions they wanted to ask Mr. McMorris, but we did not get the opportunity to do so. Below are some of the questions we wanted him to answer.
-In order for the provincial government’s 'Releasing Time to Care' model to be successful, it is my understanding that 'everyone' in health care must be on the same team. The key, it would seem, is to recognize and value all members of the health care team equally. If that’s the case, how do you, as the Minister of Health, justify the current position of SAHO and your government at our bargaining table? I must say that I do not feel valued for the professional skills and services that I offer each day within the health sector.
-When SUN negotiations broke off with SAHO, you personally intervened to get things back on track. Members of SEIU-West and our bargaining committee have asked you to direct SAHO to go back to the bargaining table. So far, it appears that you have done nothing. Why is that?
-My licensing fees have increased by $125 since 2006 yet I will continue to be reimbursed at 2006 levels until 2012. Therefore, I have to pay more to work as a LPN. You have stated publicly that the SAHO final offer is 'fair' – but I would ask: fair to whom?
The SAHO final offer is demoralizing when compared with the contract signed by SAHO and other health care providers in Saskatchewan.
I hope that the Saskatchewan Government and SAHO start putting some real effort into collective bargaining soon, or I'm sure many of my fellow LPN's and other health care providers will leave the province or our professions in search of better working conditions, more competitive wages, and perhaps respect from our employers.
Judy Denniss