Health care workers at the Eston Health Care Unit, represented by SEIU-West, held an information picket to raise awareness of their ongoing fight for a fair collective agreement. These workers, including registered nurses, continuing care aides, food, maintenance and environmental services staff, have been without a contract for 19 months. The protracted negotiations are a result of essential services legislation that prevents health workers from striking, causing delays in resolving their bargaining disputes.

Barb Cape, president of SEIU-West, expressed frustration with the lack of progress in negotiations. “We’ve been in negotiations for about a year and we’re getting nowhere,” Cape said. She noted that this has become a recurring issue, with the last round of negotiations completed three years ago. Without the leverage of a strike, essential workers face protracted negotiations, further exacerbating their financial struggles.

Healthcare workers, who played a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic, are now feeling the strain of rising living costs. Many have taken on second jobs or work overtime just to make ends meet. Cape emphasized the dire situation these workers face: “They are struggling to survive.”

In response to the standoff, SEIU-West’s bargaining committee traveled the province, visiting facilities like Eston to update workers and communities on the status of negotiations. The information picket aimed to raise awareness not only among colleagues and employers, but also among the Estonian community.

With the provincial election on the horizon, SEIU-West is encouraging voters to prioritize health issues when talking to politicians. “We want people to tell politicians they are health care voters and ask what they will do to improve the system and support workers,” Cape said.

As the contract dispute drags on, essential health workers in Estonia and Saskatchewan continue to demand fair treatment and a solution that recognizes their crucial contributions to the health care system.