More reaction is coming in from labour organizations following Monday night's majority win by the Sask Party. SEIU-WEST, the union that serves a diverse membership in health care, education, and other private and public sectors, has put the Moe government on notice.
A release from the union congratulated them on their victory, but also cautioned it won’t be a “business as usual” environment. Rather the union issued “a clear call for a change of attitude and course correction in the provision of public services across Saskatchewan”
The release went on to state that SEIU-West (Service Employees’ International Union) would continue to scrutinize government’s decisions and policies with an eye to improving the services the membership provides.
“After seventeen years of a Sask Party government, our members in healthcare and community-based organizations have expressed frustration and a desire for change after this election,” said SEIU-West President Barbara Cape. “This government has a long way to go to remedy the destruction of our public healthcare system, the dis-investment in our CBO sector and mishandling of the education system and SEIU-West will continue to hold them to task.”
Cape called on the development of a robust recruitment and retention plan for health care workers.
“Though there is no specific mention of it in their platform, we intend to hold the Sask Party to the commitment they made just prior to the election about creating a Nursing Team taskforce that will include SEIU-West and the other healthcare provider unions,” Cape added.