SEIU Healthcare Workers Picket Saskatchewan, California Clinics Over Contract, Conditions

Healthcare workers in Saskatchewan and California are actively protesting for better working conditions, fair contracts, and pay increases amid ongoing contract negotiations. In Saskatchewan, SEIU-West members are frustrated after 28 months without a raise and are concerned about SAHO's demands, such as the ability to move workers across the province, which impacts workers' personal lives. Meanwhile, over 700 dialysis caregivers in California, represented by SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, held informational pickets across 31 clinics to highlight understaffing, poor pay, and the negative effects on patient care, with companies accused of bargaining in bad faith. Dialysis workers emphasize their commitment to patient care and do not want to strike but seek improved conditions to provide quality care. Despite these labor challenges, access to dialysis care remains critical nationwide, with disparities in facility availability and patient travel distances, though some cities like Houston, Las Vegas, and San Diego are noted for better access and advanced care options. These protests underscore the broader national issue of healthcare worker support and patient care quality in critical medical services like dialysis.