CUPE Health Care Workers' Council of Unions

CUPE still largest health union after representation votes

September 21, 2002

REGINA: The Canadian Union of Public Employees will remain the largest health care union in the province according to the tentative results of union representation votes released this evening by Saskatchewan's Labour Relations Board.

"CUPE has provided strong leadership and expertise to health care workers for over forty years and we will continue to provide that leadership into the future," said Steve Foley, president of the CUPE Health Care Council.

CUPE won the representation vote in the largest regional health authority, RHA #1, which covers the southeast part of the province, including Weyburn and Estevan. The union will now represent all health service providers who work in clerical, technical, nursing, support and plant operations classifications in this authority.

"We would like to congratulate SEIU and SGEU for hard-fought campaigns," said Foley. "We extend a warm welcome to the new members of our union. At the same time, we will miss our members who be leaving the CUPE family and thank them for all their activism and dedication."

The representation votes were triggered when the provincial government passed the Regional Health Services Act this summer. The legislation replaced 32 health districts with 12 larger regional health authorities.

The Labour Relations Board certified CUPE as the exclusive bargaining agent for health service providers in four other health authorities covering the regions of Regina, Yorkton/Melville, Prince Albert and North Battleford/Lloydminster.

Foley said the representation votes provided over 5,000 Saskatchewan health providers with a unique opportunity to vote for the union of their choice.

"We had the chance to talk to thousands of health service providers from all unions. Voter turnout was over 80% in all four authorities. So, as a result of this process, more health care workers know what their rights are under their collective agreement."

For more information contact Steve Foley at (306) 861-7529.

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CUPE Health Care Workers' Council of Unions
3725E Eastgate Drive
Regina, Sask
S4X 1A5

Phone: 1-866-546-2185
Fax: 306-781-8177
Email: Stephen Foley, President