A CUPE survey from Saskatchewan’s medical technologists and technicians indicates that almost 88 per cent of respondents believe their workload has increased in the last five years and almost 80 per cent say working short staffed is the biggest contributing factor. Seventy-four per cent says vacant positions not being filled is another factor to their workload. Medical Technologists and Technicians help diagnose patients through imaging tests like CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds.  They also administer radiation treatments and conduct other tests integral to patient care.

CUPE’s recommendations are for the Health Ministry to increase baseline funding to the Saskatchewan Health Authority to hire additional medical technologists and technicians, to better support mentorship of new graduates and to ensure the safe and timely delivery of patient care. Other recommendations are for the Ministry and the SHA to revise the Health Human Resources Action Plan to expand recruitment incentives for new medical technologist and technician graduates and introduce new incentives for those who are currently employed. The final request is for the necessary funding to negotiate a new deal with CUPE 5430 workers who have been without a contracts since April of 2023. Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 5430 represents over 900 medical technologists and technicians in Saskatchewan.