Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon is among the facilities looked after by SEIU West. (CKOM Sraff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Safer work places

More support needed to address safety concerns, union representing security says

Jan 13, 2026 | 2:06 PM

Confirming escalating rates of violence at all the province’s hospitals, the union that represents the security officers who work in those facilities is suggesting the solution lies outside the doors.

Lisa Zunti, President of SEIU West, told paNOW the risk for violence increases when you have a larger volume of people accessing healthcare. She added the root of the problem is a lack of community supports.

“Which creates the need to go to a hospital as kind of a stop gap shelter,” she said.

The issue has come to light in recent weeks after a disturbance at Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert; an incident with a gun at St. Paul’s hospital in Saskatoon and a man’s death last week at Royal University Hospital. Trevor Dubois, who was receiving chemotherapy, reportedly died after an altercation with security officers.

In his room, police say they found meth, and drug paraphernalia but at this stage of the ongoing investigation there has been no evidence Dubois had the drug in his system.

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Prior to her current role at SEIU, worked as a nurse at St. Paul’s hospital in Saskatoon. She said she is familiar with those under the influence of methamphetamine, adding it creates patients who are unpredictable and very strong. She also confirmed that while there is ongoing training available, better communication with health care staff could help.

“I want to just draw attention to the fact that it’s not only a drug issue. We can’t always see these people coming. Sometimes it’s the 83-year-old dementia patient that you’re dealing with that will be just as much of a risk.”

SEIU West is currently assisting with recruitment at Royal University Hospital and Zunti stated one of the challenges they face is pay.

“People will tell other security officers that they’re not willing to put themselves on the line for what they get paid,” she said.

On Monday, the President of CUPE 5439 Bashir Jalloh said one of the solutions they have proposed is to train security officers in-house versus contracting them out. He suggested t could be a real benefit having someone who was familiar with the day-to-day operations and protocols.

When asked for her opinion, Zunti said it’s a good idea.

“We are teams so it’s very important to have that other team member whom I have that relationship with, and knows the protocols of healthcare, and has a vested interest in keeping that healthcare facility safe.”

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell