Saskatchewan health care unions involved in contract negotiations have received a "final offer" from management — 9.5 per cent over four years.

Contract talks have broken down between the group that represents Saskatchewan health employers and the unions for 25,000 health-care workers, despite a conciliator's unceasing efforts and there is no prospect of a settlement.

The unions have been demanding for more than 30 per cent over three years. However, CUPE spokesman Gordon Campbell derided that, claiming it's more like 18 per cent.

The association, which asked for conciliation, wants the three unions to take a proposed four-year contract to their members for a vote.

The three are the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Service Employees International Union-West (SEIU-West) and the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees Union (SGEU).

SAHO's deal features a one-time retroactive payment of nearly 10 per cent of wages for the period April 1, 2008 to the present and between $2,500 and $10,000 for full-time employees.

But Gordon Campbell, who speaks for the Canadian Union of Public Employees, says the employers are trying to "ram an offer" down the throats of health employees.