By Joel Gasson

Health worker strike to end in Saskatoon

Jun 15, 2011 | 7:09 AM

The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan (HSAS) has announced that strike action will come to an end Wednesday in Saskatoon.

Strike action has been ongoing in the city since Friday. It began with 300 workers and increased to 400.

There won't be any strike action Wednesday.

An announcement is expected on Thursday to explain what comes next.

HSAS called for binding arbitration Monday

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On Monday, HSAS was still calling for binding arbitration to settle the dispute.

Health Minister Don McMorris said he hoped the dispute would end soon, but is once again rejecting a third party arbitrator.

“I think we need to let the process work. The offer has gone out. I think it's time for all to be educated in what that offer is. I think it would be premature to even consider that,” he told reporters Monday.

He insists the deal put forward by the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organization (SAHO) last week is a solid one — with an average 11-per-cent increase for health care workers.

“SAHO has put a very strong final offer on the table and puts us very competitive with the rest of Western Canada,” McMorris said.

As for the impact of the rotating strike, McMorris says it's mostly programs that have suffered.

“On care that's being delivered through our acute care facilities, the impact hasn't been as great because of essential services legislation.”

Talks broke down between SAHO and HSAS last week after final and counter offers were presented and rejected.

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