By Colleen Hennan

Health workers head back to the picket lines

Jun 10, 2011 | 10:15 AM

The Health Sciences union isn't wasting any time getting back to the picket line as 300 health workers walk off the job Friday in Saskatoon.

Talks broke down between HSAS and SAHO on Thursday.

There seems to have been a miscommunication between the two sides. HSAS says it was told to come up with a counter offer Tuesday. SAHO says their final offer on Monday truly was their final offer, aside from minor tweaks and changes.

Susan Antosh with SAHO says what HSAS came back with was well beyond minor changes.

“What they came back with was still way outside the realm of reality,” Antosh said.

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HSAS asked for 14 per cent over four years. SAHO’s final offer was 11 per cent.

Antosh said SAHO’s final offer is a good one.

“We’re disappointed of course. We believe we presented a very good final offer and we asked them to take it to the members for a vote. This is their choice.”

The HSAS counter offer was rejected and talks broke off just 8 minutes after they started.

Cathy Dickson with HSAS says there is no point in voting

“Without a lie, I have no heard from one member who says, ‘Let’s take it. It’s great.’”

Dickson says the strike truce has been called off.

The picket lines are starting at 8 a.m. at Saskatoon City Hospital and Royal University Hospital. Health Sciences union head Cathy Dickson will be speaking to reporters in Saskatoon at 11 a.m.

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