Health care workers from CUPE Local 5430 gathered outside the Saskatchewan Party office on Rochdale Boulevard in Regina on June 24, 2026, to protest working conditions and staffing shortages in the province's health care system.
According to CTV News, the rally drew dozens of union members who held signs and chanted slogans calling for better wages, improved staffing levels, and increased investment in public health care. The event was organized by CUPE 5430, which represents health care workers across Saskatchewan.
Union demands action on health care funding
CUPE 5430 president Sandra Blevins said the rally was meant to send a clear message to the provincial government. 'We are here today to tell the Sask. Party that our health care system is in crisis,' Blevins said. 'Workers are burned out, patients are not getting the care they need, and the government needs to act now.'
The rally comes amid ongoing contract negotiations between CUPE and the provincial government. Union members have been without a new contract since 2024, and talks have stalled over issues including wages, staffing ratios, and overtime.
Growing frustration among health care workers
Health care workers in Saskatchewan have faced increasing pressure in recent years, with the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating long-standing issues. A 2025 survey by the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses found that 78% of nurses reported burnout, and 45% said they were considering leaving the profession.
CUPE 5430 represents approximately 2,500 health care workers in the province, including hospital support staff, laboratory technicians, and home care workers. The union has warned that chronic understaffing is compromising patient safety and leading to longer wait times for services.
Government response
In a statement, Saskatchewan Party spokesperson John Smith said the government is committed to working with health care unions to address concerns. 'We value the contributions of all health care workers and are engaged in good-faith negotiations with CUPE,' Smith said. 'Our government has invested record amounts in health care, including $100 million in new funding for frontline services in the 2026 budget.'
However, union leaders argue that more needs to be done. 'The government talks about record investments, but we don't see it on the ground,' Blevins said. 'We need real action, not just press releases.'
The rally in Regina is part of a series of actions planned by CUPE across the province in the coming weeks, as the union pushes for a fair contract and improved working conditions for health care workers.
