Saskatchewan Cancer Agency workers serve strike notice

Wage parity the major issue as close to 75% of staff at the cancer centres are paid less than their counterparts in the health districts.

Bob Bymoen President SGEU/NUPGE

Regina (21 Sept. 2007) - Workers at the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (SCA) have given their Negotiating Committee a strike mandate. The collective agreement covering approximately 485 employees expired December 31, 2006. The Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union (SGEU/NUPGE), representing the cancer agency workers, issued 48 hour strike notice on Sept. 20.

"The issue is wage parity," said Bob Bymoen, SGEU President. "Close to 75% of staff at the cancer centres are paid less than their counterparts in the health districts," Bymoen said.

Obviously, the Cancer Agency faces significant retention problems when staff can walk across the hall and earn $4,000/year more. I don't understand why the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency thinks they should pay their highly-skilled, highly-trained workers less than health professionals in similar occupations."

On average, workers in the cancer treatment centres earn 10-15% less than similarly qualified workers in Saskatchewan health regions. Registered nurses and medical radiation therapists receive market supplements to keep their wages competitive with the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses and radiation therapists across Canada.

"The staff are very disappointed that we have reached this impasse," said Trent Edwards, Co-chair of the Negotiating Committee.

"Many of us have friends and family receiving treatment and we hope to avoid any disruption in services. However, the tone and dismissive nature of our negotiations with management leaves us no choice but to serve strike notice. We urge the government to step in and provide wage parity to help us retain our highly-skilled, dedicated staff."

The workers include registered nurses, medical radiation therapists, health record clerks, social workers, clinical research associates, systems analysts, lodge attendants and support staff. NUPGE