The message from the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) is clear: they are ready to take whatever step is necessary to get a deal with the province done – including holding a strike vote. “It’s been decades since we’ve had to do any form of job action,” SUN president Bryce Boynton told reporters Friday. “But I think it speaks to the constant decline we’ve seen in health care. We’ve just reached a point where we can’t sit around anymore; we have to stand up for ourselves.” Hundreds of nurses rallied Friday in front of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building to voice their displeasure. They are calling for adequate healthcare funding, a fortified nurse retention plan – on top of additional recruitment – and salary increases. Saskatchewan nurses have been working without a contract since March 2024. Boynton says negotiations with the province for a new collective bargaining agreement have stalled. “We shouldn’t be seeing people in hallways not being considered normal; we shouldn’t be even being moved all across this province just to receive care,” he explained. “And now this government wants to move nurses all across this province that is unsafe to nurses, unsafe to patients.” The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions is supporting SUN’s calls to take potential job action. “Nurses unions are rarely, rarely call for a strike vote: It is not in our DNA,” national president Linda Silas said. “But it is in our DNA that when we’ve had enough – and we’ve had enough and we are pissed off.” Local nurses also outlined their experiences inside provincial hospitals. “This isn’t just about monetary things,” Yorkton-based nurse Maggie Hancock said. “This is about nurse patient ratios; this is about not having patients shipped all across the province.” They also say they are ready to take action if necessary. “Nurses need to take a stand on conditions in health care,” said Sara Peters. “It’s vitally important that we’re recognized.” “We want to take action and the action is now,” added Regina ER nurse Wyatt Munson. In response to CTV News, Minister of Health Jeremy Cockrill agreed Saskatchewan patients deserved better health care. “Our government remains committed to seeing a negotiated agreement reached through good-faith bargaining between SAHO and our union partners,” his statement read. “The best place to reach an agreement that supports health care workers, patients, employers, and communities is at the bargaining table.” SUN says it is set for its next round of negotiations with the province later this month. Members will vote on whether or not to take job action beginning Nov. 30 – with the voting period set for one week. Boynton says the union is not afraid to do what is necessary. “There better be some quick movement,” he reiterated. “Because these nurses are ready to go now.”
