The strenuous working conditions faced by medical technologists in Saskatchewan was the topic of conversation at the province’s legislature Monday.
Technologists are responsible for conducting x-rays, CT and MRI scans among other duties. A group of the workers sharing their concerns were hosted by the Opposition NDP.
The union representing the workers, CUPE 5430, says half of the medical technologist positions in Regina are vacant – in addition to shortages across the province.
The situation has naturally led to long shifts and extensive overtime – with some workers claiming they’ve worked and been on call for more than two days straight.
Dexter Mercer worked at the Battlefords Union Hospital – where he conducted CT scans.
He told reporters Monday that after a 50 hour stretch of working and being on call – he blacked out from exhaustion while leaving the hospital’s parking lot and crashed his vehicle into a nearby pole.
“When I got to the parking lot – my body, I lost consciousness, and I hadn’t put the vehicle in park yet. I just was done – and the vehicle rolled [into] the lamp post,” Mercer explained.
CUPE 5430 President Bashir Jalloh accuses the government of playing a shell game.
“What they do, we’re building hospitals, urgent care centres but we don’t have employees or staff and we’re expanding these places in the province but we don’t have staff,” he argued.
“Now we’re having breast screening at the Centre Crossing but … they are using the same existing staff that they have at the Pasqua Hospital so they have three vacant positions.”
“The same thing with the Urgent Care Centre situation. It’s terrible,” Jalloh added.
The NDP voiced their case during question period.
“What does the Minister have to say to the countless workers who joined us today that are overworked and under appreciated?” MLA Hugh Gordon asked.
Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill assured the assembly that the situation will be looked at.
“I can let the entire house know that the diagnostics and imaging leadership from the Saskatchewan Health Authority will be touring Prince Albert, Lloydminster and North Battleford in early April,” he said.
“I’ve asked them to take a look at those specific departments to understand what we could be doing better and to understand what we could be doing to attract more people into those departments.”
According to Jalloh, the government’s retention efforts are failing due to lower wages.
“They have increased the seats at SaskPolytech, but they are leaving. Why? Because the wages in this province are lower than other western Canada provinces. Manitoba just signed a collective agreement. They are retaining people. Alberta, British Columbia are all way better than Saskatchewan,” he argued.
“Yes, you can train people, but if they don’t stay here, what is the point of that?”
CUPE confirmed that its current contract has been expired for over two years.
Cockrill acknowledged that contract negotiations are ongoing but was not able to speak directly on the challenges being discussed at the bargaining table.
However, he pointed to efforts such as the province’s proposed patient focused task force and lessening reliance on contract nursing as signs of progress.
“We’ve reduced our contract nursing hours by 30 per cent over the last year, we’re showing progress,” he explained.
“We certainly have had some challenges filling positions in Lloydminster and North Battleford and Prince Albert – and that’s exactly why these incentives exist, trying to fill those vacancies again, to ease the pressure on those who are already working in that department.”
As for Mercer – following his accident in the hospital parking lot, he decided he’s had enough with working in healthcare full time. He is set to begin a new career in banking come April.
