By Colleen Hennan

SAHO and Health Sciences workers to meet Thurs. afternoon

Jun 9, 2011 | 1:17 PM

The Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO) and the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan (HSAS) are expected to meet again Thursday afternoon to discuss what SAHO calls their final offer HSAS.

SAHO offered an average wage increase of 11 per cent over four years. According to SAHO, this offer would make the wage rate equal to, or more than, the Western Canadian average for all base classifications.

The final offer also includes a top up of 75 per cent of wages in supplemental employee benefits for maternity, paternity and adoption leave, as well as increases to shift and weekend hourly premiums. A standby rate for emergency medical services, employees who are not full-time workers, will increase to $5 an hour.

Susan Antosh, president and CEO of SAHO, said there would be no competitive reason to offer any more than this. She added they have presented this as the final offer and have asked the union to take it to a vote.

“This is a very substantial offer, it’s extremely competitive,” said Antosh.

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

12h ago

National

Ottawa to remove 30% investment cap for Canadian pension funds

15h ago

Budget woes

Golf and curling centre faces grim season without financial boost

19h ago

Cathy Dickson, HSAS president, isn’t accepting the idea that this is a final offer. She said they were told by SAHO that there is still room to negotiate.

“You’ll get some more information about our counter offer and what that will be. I’m pretty sure now, it’s tomorrow morning we’re talking about that,” said Dickson adding that overall, the latest offer is encouraging.

The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan returned to the bargaining table with the province on Wednesday.

It has been several weeks since the two sides sat down together. HSAS agreed to suspend its rotating strike while the talks are happening.

news@panow.com