To the Editor: Today Saskatchewan faces another failed negotiation between SAHO and the health care workers. Saskatchewan people are back to disruptions in their lives, cancelled appointments and a medial system slowed to a crawl. This is happening because of the rotating walkouts, unhappy workers and a government that won't accept their responsibilities.
The PC Party of Saskatchewan says it is time for an outside mediator to be brought in. The government of Saskatchewan must come to the table - not just SAHO.
It is the Saskatchewan Party government who gave the nurses their huge settlement three years ago. It is the Saskatchewan Party government that brought in Essential Services Legislation. It is the Saskatchewan Party government that sets the provincial budget and selects the spending priorities. SAHO does none of the above. After every failed negotiation, the Premier makes a comment to the media saying "it's not time for binding arbitration".
Everyone - the media, SAHO, the health care unions and the public - know who the organ grinder is it's Mr. Wall.
It's time to cut to the chase and get the organ grinder to the table. If it takes an outside professional mediator to make that happen, then so be it. Elected politicians have to take responsibility for their actions.
Mr. Wall needs to take responsibility for his. An outside mediator like Justice Hughes from British Columbia, who has worked in Saskatchewan in the past, knows how our system works and can help make a reasonable settlement work if the parties responsible will come to the table and be honest with the public.
This approach has worked in the past successfully and can work again today.
Rick Swenson, Leader of the PC Party, Saskatoon, SK
