HSAS workers strike enters second day in Regina

The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan (HSAS) have taken strike action again and around 120 health care workers in Regina are off the job for the second day in a row

A number of professionals will be out in the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region (RQHA):

– Dietitians from the Regina General and Pasqua Hospitals, Regina Pioneer Village and Wascana Rehab Center, as well as the Santa Maria Senior Citizen Home;

– EMT’s and Paramedics from Regina EMS;

– Occupational Therapists from Wascana Rehab Center, Regina General and Pasqua Hospitals and Home Care;

– Pharmacists from the Regina General and Pasqua Hospitals;

– Physical Therapists from the Regina General and Pasqua Hospitals, the Wascana Rehab Center, the Surgical Assessment Center, Regina Pioneer Village and Home Care;

– Public Health Inspectors from Public Health Services;

– Respiratory Therapists from the Regina General and Pasqua Hospitals, and the Wascana Rehab Center; and

– Speech Language Pathologists from the Regina General and Pasqua Hospitals, Wascana Rehab Center, Public Health, Regina Mental Health Clinic, and the Child and Youth Clinic.

The Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region is contacting some patients to cancel appointments due to the job action taken this morning and HSAS is not saying how long workers in Regina will be on strike.

The latest action comes after the HSAS gave Premier Brad Wall a “window of opportunity” on Monday to send the dispute to binding arbitration.

Wall rejected binding arbitration later in the day, saying “the best solution is found at the bargaining table.”

In a series of rotating strike last week, around 60 health care workers walked off job for one day in Prince Albert. On Wednesday, approximately 150 workers in Saskatoon staged a two day strike and around 50 professionals in Swift Current walked the picket lines Friday.

HSAS is in a bitter contract dispute with the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO).

HSAS is seeking a wage increase of 18.5 per cent over four years while SAHO’s last offer was 7.5 per cent over the same period with a market adjustment for EMS workers.

The two sides have not met since talks broke down last Tuesday.

HSAS members have been without a contract for over two years.

To contact the RQHR to see if your affected call 766-4660 or toll free 1-888-354-8111