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“Don’t cancer patients in Saskatchewan deserve the same commitment to quality, uninterrupted care?” she asked.
Regina (19 March 2012) - Cancer patients deserve a long-term commitment to uninterrupted care and treatment, says a frontline worker with the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency. But government is refusing to give patients and their families that assurance.
"Caring for cancer patients is my priority,” says Amanda Reid, a radiation therapist with the Allan Blair Cancer Clinic in Regina and member of the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union (SGEU/NUPGE).
But Saskatchewan Cancer Agency staff have been dealing with uncertainty in their workplace since their last contract expired December 31, 2009.
"It's getting tougher to hire and retain experienced health care professionals, such as nurses. The Cancer Agency has said that patient care is being affected by an impasse in bargaining," says Reid.
"The solution is simple. We don't want to compromise patient care, so we have offered to give up our right to strike. In exchange, we want an independent third party to settle our differences, now and in the future," Reid says.
"That's fair for us. And, most importantly, cancer patients continue to get the care they need," she adds.
The government has said "No" to independent binding arbitration for cancer care workers.
Premier Brad Wall said last May that if health care workers offered to completely give up the right to strike, his government would be prepared to talk about arbitration. But he is not standing by that statement.
“Cancer care workers in Alberta and Manitoba use arbitration to settle disputes. Government in those provinces agreed to put patients first,” according to Reid.
“Don’t cancer patients in Saskatchewan deserve the same commitment to quality, uninterrupted care?” she asked.
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The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE