The SAHO Bargaining Committee met with the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) on July 21, 22, 23 and 24, 2026.

During this session, the parties reached agreement on the following items: Article 8.02 – Overtime Premium, Letter of Understanding (LOU) #5 – Existing Letters of Understanding, and Letter of Understanding (LOU) #9 – Retention of Late Career Nurses.

Discussions continued on more significant and complex outstanding issues, including Article 26 – Multi-Site, Article 45 – Float, and Article 37 – Employees on Other Than Full-Time Status.

The employer continues to seek practical solutions that reflect the way healthcare is delivered across Saskatchewan today and ensure that registered nurses can provide care where it is needed. SAHO is seeking language that supports the consistent application of the collective agreement while maintaining the ability to respond to changing patient, client and resident care needs across the province.

Article 26 discussions focused on multi-site positions and the delivery of services such as Home Care, Public Health, Mental Health and other services provided in clients’ homes or in community settings. SAHO is seeking language that reflects existing practices and supports the delivery of the right care, in the right place, at the right time. 

SAHO’s proposals are not intended to move employees involuntarily or at-will across the province. Rather, the proposals will maintain, and in some instances, reduce the current distance registered nurses are required to travel. 

While travelling long distances to provide community-based and specialized services is not ideal, occasional travel is necessary in rural and remote areas. The ability to provide care across communities and ensure access to services is essential for the delivery of safe, sustainable healthcare throughout the province.

SAHO remains concerned that adding new restrictions to the geographic areas in which registered nurses may provide care could negatively impact patient care and delivery of services to meet community needs. 

SAHO has advised SUN of its readiness to continue discussions on deferred items to work toward concluding negotiations and moving into monetary discussions.

This round of bargaining continues to provide an opportunity to review and modernize collective agreement provisions to better reflect the realities of today’s healthcare environment. Discussions have included initiatives focused on strengthening healthcare delivery across Saskatchewan through greater provincial alignment, expanded full-time employment opportunities, enhanced support for provincial programs, and the strategic use of technology to improve access to care.

SAHO’s Bargaining Committee remains committed to constructive bargaining and achieving outcomes that support employees while ensuring the continued delivery of safe, high-quality patient care across Saskatchewan. The employer remains focused on finding practical, sustainable solutions that allow healthcare services to be delivered where and when they are needed.

Negotiations are scheduled to resume on August 11, 12, 13 and 14, 2026.

Union/SUN July 29, 2026