Member Updates

What a year it’s been for SEIU-West members!

As in any year, there are good moments and not so good moments, but overall our members are among the most active and unique in Saskatchewan.

So we’re taking this opportunity to do a month by month 2011 year in review.

January:

• Our members braved the cold in Swift Current to deliver their message to Premier Brad Wall in Swift Current (picture).
• We joined the community of Wakaw and surrounding area in their fight to save their hospital.
• Two (2) sessions of Shop Steward Training Level 1 in Saskatoon.

February:

• SEIU-West’s Watch Dog blog launched exposing the truth in workplaces across Saskatchewan. The blog is still live and will continue. If you have a story to share, please send it to us through the contact us form or through the blog itself.

March:

• Shop Steward Level 2 training was held across the province.

April:

• The new and improved www.seiuwest.ca was launched. This new site allows users to share posts, participate in on-line campaigns and provide feedback to SEIU-West in a timely way.
• The Member Resource Centre (MRC) was officially launched in Saskatchewan – members can now call 1.888.999.7348 to ask general questions of their Union.

May:

• SEIU-West holds it’s first EVER Member Political Training at Cedar Lodge.
• SEIU-West submits it’s recommendations to the WCB Committee of Review.
• Residents of Wakaw and surrounding area and members of SEIU-West took a bus trip to the Legislature in hopes that the government would meet with them about the closure of the Wakaw hospital.

June:

• SEIU-West’s Founding Convention took place in Saskatoon – over 200 members, honoured guests, and staff took part in “Proud History Bright Future” which unveiled the new power-house Local in Saskatchewan.
• SEIU-West’s Response to the Questionnaire and Discussion Document Regarding Proposed Changes to The Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993.

July:

• Our Member Action Coordinator was out and about meeting with members and spreading the purple wave across as many units as possible.

August:

• SEIU-West members who work in Community-Based Organizations came together to discuss common goals and go forward because they are stronger together.
• Billboards go up across the province inviting people to visit www.yourfairshare.ca

September:

• Labour Day festivities across the province brought out our members in force! Like the Swift Current Labour Day Parade
• The second Member Political Organizer Training took place at Cedar Lodge and brought even more members together.
• SEIU-West submits recommendations to the OHS administrative review.
• Attendance Management/Duty to Accommodate Workshops start and are presented across the province in Saskatoon, Swift Current and Humboldt.

October:

• Members got involved in Saskatchewan’s electoral process by running the “I’m a Health Care Voter” campaign across the province.
• Health Care Providers week was proclaimed.
• SEIU-West launches it’s first ever Walk-A-Day in My Shoes video featuring Steve Olson who works at Cheshire Homes.

November:

• I’m a Health Care Voter sign campaign ramps up and gets noticed across the province in advance of the Provincial election.
• SFL Charter Challenge starts in Regina.
• Members across the province took part in SHEPP presentations so they could better understand their pension plan.
• Shop Steward training Level 1 held in Saskatoon where members are asked “What have Unions ever done for us?”.

December:

• Health Care Workers Bargaining Conference was well attended. The Bargaining Committee now has a clearer picture of what the membership wants in the next round of negotiations with SAHO and Extendicare.

For a PDF version of this update, click on the following link: Member Update February 2011

As we head into what feels like the deepest part of winter, there is good news to report across SEIU-West and the union movement.

Bargaining:

· South East Cornerstone School Division has settled their collective agreement.

This wasn’t an easy task for the members or the bargaining committee as they brought together 3 collective agreements into one and includes a monetary settlement that addresses parity, retro and general wage increases. There are numerous language improvements for these members as well. Congratulations to the membership and bargaining committee for their solidarity and hard work in getting a collective agreement!

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For a PDF version of this update, click on the following link: Member Update November 2010

As we come to the close of 2010, it’s good to review the events over the last year so that we can celebrate our accomplishments and look at what we need to improve upon in the coming year.

Bargaining:

As many members are aware, we’ve settled agreements in bargaining units large and small.

The following is a summary of where we are at with our Units:

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For a PDF version of this update, click on the following link: Member Update June 2010

Welcome to new staff:

We have hired a few new staff members since the last update and would like to introduce them to you:

· In the Swift Current office, Danielle Banadyga is our new Office Administrative Assistant, taking over for Sherri Spetz who assumed her new role as one of our financial staff.

· In the Moose Jaw office, Don Black has been hired as a Staff Rep.

· In the Saskatoon office, Cam McConnell has been hired as a Staff Rep.

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For a PDF version of this update, click on the following link: Member Update March 2010

MEMBER EDUCATION:

Since our last update in January of this year, we have begun preparations to commence phase 1 of our strategic plan for member education.

SEIU-West will commence with new facilitator training opportunities during the last week of May. This will be followed up with the implementation of our new Leadership training program in early June. Subsequent training opportunities will follow our internal audit of membership needs.

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