CUPE sounds alarm over executive raises while Saskatchewan’s frontline health care workers are denied a fair deal

[Link] CUPE held a press conference to condemn double-digit salary increases given to senior Saskatchewan Health Authority, SHA, executives while frontline health care workers represented by CUPE 5430 have gone nearly three and a half years without a wage increase.

"These executive raises are a slap in the face to the thousands of dedicated health care workers who are holding our system together every single day," said Bashir Jalloh, president of CUPE 5430. "Our members have worked tirelessly through a pandemic, short staffing, and crushing workloads - and now they're being denied the fair deal they deserve."

Newly released figures from SHA's 2024-25 annual report show staggering salary increases for senior officials between 2023 and 2025:

Kent Peterson, president of CUPE Saskatchewan, did not mince words. "It's health care workers, not bosses, that keep our health system running. Continuing to deny workers a fair deal and decent wages is a recipe for disaster. If people can no longer afford to work in health care, they will leave the profession. Scott Moe's retention crisis means facilities will continue to close, waits will get longer, and our health care system will be at risk of collapse."

The news conference was also attended by Mark Hancock, CUPE's National President, who pledged the full support of Canada's largest union. "CUPE stands shoulder-to-shoulder with every health care worker in Saskatchewan. You deserve respect, fair wages, and a contract that reflects your value. We're not backing down until you get a fair deal - period."

CUPE 5430 represents over 14,000 health care workers across Saskatchewan, including continuing care assistants, dietary staff, housekeeping, clerical workers, and more. The union has been without a new collective agreement since March 31, 2023.