The University of Saskatchewan and the Professional Association of Interns and Residents of Saskatchewan (PAIRS) have a new four-year agreement.
The agreement, which covers the period from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2012, was ratified today by the University of Saskatchewan Board of Governors and the PAIRS membership.
The settlement includes a base salary increase of 10 per cent over four years, a market adjustment of 2.4 per cent in year three, enhancements to benefits and increased on-call stipends. This agreement will make compensation for Saskatchewan medical residents highly competitive with their counterparts across Canada.
"Medical residents play an important role in delivering quality patient care and this agreement recognizes their value as members of the health care team," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "I am hopeful this deal will assist in keeping Saskatchewan-trained medical residents working in the province - a key element of our physician recruitment and retention strategy. We look forward to continuing to work together on our shared goal of ensuring Saskatchewan people receive quality health care in a timely fashion."
"I am pleased that we have a ratified agreement," University of Saskatchewan Dean of the College of Medicine Dr. William Albritton said. "We work closely with our residents and their collective bargaining unit to provide outstanding learning opportunities in the College of Medicine and we work closely with the province to provide the physician manpower for health care delivery."
"We are pleased with this new contract," PAIRS President Dr. Mary Kinloch said. "Saskatchewan's medical residents are now placed in a leadership position among our peers throughout Canada with respect to compensation. This reflects a strong commitment to physician retention and keeping medical residents practising in Saskatchewan."
PAIRS is the professional association representing more than 340 medical graduates who are completing post-graduate training through the University of Saskatchewan.
