SAHO/SUN Bargaining Update – June 2026

The SAHO Bargaining Committee met with the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) on June 2, 3, 4 and 5 and again on June 23, 24, 25 and 26, 2026.

These sessions were positive, productive, and collaborative with both parties actively engaged in advancing discussions on several significant issues.

Agreement was reached on a number of articles in these sessions that include Article 42 – Staff Development, Article 32 – New or Changed Classifications – New Positions, LOU #8 – Joint Position Evaluation, LOU #3 – Vacation Pay and Sick Pay on Termination or Retirement & Furlough Leave, Article 61 – Occupational Health & Safety, and clarifications to provisions within Articles 6, 7, 12, 13, 16, 55, 56, 58, 61 and 64. Both parties also withdrew items in a collaborative effort to increase the momentum of negotiations.

Substantive discussions also took place on a broad range of articles, including Article 12 – Standby; Articles 56 through 59 – Nursing Practice and Committee Structures; Article 35 – Recognition of Previous Experience; Article 7 – Hours of Work; and Article 6 – Union Recognition and Security, LOU’s #5 and #9.  

A significant milestone was reached during these sessions as SAHO tabled its remaining non-monetary proposals. As a result, SAHO advised SUN of its readiness to return to discussions on deferred items in a continued effort to move negotiations toward conclusion. This includes the issue of multi-site positions, particularly as it pertains to provision of services such as Home Care, Public Health, Mental Health and other services provided in clients’ homes or elsewhere in the community. SAHO is seeking language which aligns with existing practices to ensure the patients, clients, and residents of Saskatchewan receive the right care, in the right place, and at the right time.  While travelling long distances is not a typical practice when providing community services, occasional travel may be necessary in rural and remote areas to deliver specialty nursing services to residents of Saskatchewan. Securing changes to Article 26 are essential to ensure nurses can provide care to patients and support effective delivery of safe, sustainable healthcare services across Saskatchewan.

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 collaborative bargaining and achieving outcomes that support employees while ensuring the continued delivery of safe, high-quality patient care across the province.

Negotiations are scheduled to resume on July 21, 22, 23 and 24, 2026.

Union/SUN July 08, 2026