Frontline workers unions in the province have forged a united front demanding the Sask. Party government take action by immediately adopting recommendations forwarded by Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab. SGEU, the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation, CUPE, the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN), the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, and SEIU-West issued a joint statement calling for additional health measures to be imposed. 

The statement referred to Dr. Shahab’s January 12 news conference where he strongly recommended a number of measures to counter rising case numbers and hospitalizations. Each of the industries represented by the unions has been beleaguered by employee absenteeism and attendant stresses from the pandemic. The organizations called on the following measures to be implemented:

  • Limit gathering sizes to a maximum of 10 people.
  • Limit the frequency of gatherings and establish a consistent “bubble.”
  • Limit non-school and non-work contacts.
  • Limit non-essential travel between communities.

“The Saskatchewan government’s failure to implement these recommendations as public health orders is leading to rampant community spread that is putting unprecedented strain on services Saskatchewan citizens rely on every day, including health care, education and community based supports,” said the statement. “Across sectors, frontline workers are reporting burnout and staffing shortages. They are operating in crisis mode and systems are not functioning as intended or designed, creating significant safety concerns.”

The statement also outlined feelings of concerns for health, safety and access to vital services are also growing beyond frontline workers, and referenced an Angus Reid poll released earlier in the that week found almost 59 percent of Saskatchewan residents unhappy with Premier Moe’s handling of the pandemic. 

“By continuing to do nothing, our government has made it clear that they do not care about whether or not workers get sick. The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is a clear workplace occupational health and safety hazard, and it’s time for our government to step up and do their duty to make sure that workers are kept safe at work,” said Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) President Lori Johb.

STF President Patrick Maze outlined the stresses schools are currently under, citing the importance of prioritizing in-class learning. However, he notes the rampant spread of the Omicron variant can’t help but have an impact on student learning, staff well-being and school operations. 

“Every day, frontline workers are putting themselves at risk for all of us and this government is failing to protect them. The stress and uncertainty are impacting hundreds of workers in our schools, hospitals, long-term care facilities, child-care centres, and group homes and addiction treatment centers,” said Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Saskatchewan President Judy Henley. “My message to Premier Moe is respect frontline workers and do better.”

The unions jointly urged Premier Moe to respond and act in the interest of protecting frontline workers and the public at large.