Tag Archives: campaigns

October 27, 2011

For Immediate Release

Saskatoon – Residents, staff, management and board members of Cheshire Homes in Saskatoon hosted the launch of the Service Employees International Union West’s (SEIU-West’s) very first “Walk-A-Day in My Shoes” video. The video was produced, in partnership with Cheshire, in order to highlight the valuable work being done in Community-Based Organizations in the province of Saskatchewan.

“Though this is just one day, we plan on doing further videos with a variety of the members we represent who work in different sectors,” said Barbara Cape, President of SEIU-West. “We have planned this program for some time, and are happy that we were able to get Cheshire on board with us.”

The program, first started in the United States by SEIU, began with candidates who were running for election. “Elected officials make decisions every day that effect workplaces. The people that we elect, need to see the consequences of legislation, or lack of it, in some cases, and the outcomes upon the care and services our members provide,” said Cape. “We decided to do this program differently in our province. We thought that we would ask current Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to participate, highlight our employers as well as our members and set aside our workplace issues to really get at the heart of issues facing the sector.”

“I think SEIU-West should be commended for doing this,” Judy Junor says in the video. “Not everyone gets an opportunity to do this, and I would encourage other elected officials to participate. It was a real privilege to do this.”

“We want our staff to stay and be a part of our family here at Cheshire,” said Ernest Boyko, Executive Director of Cheshire. “The residents need more than just physical support, they need the skill of a trained professional to talk to and help them through their day so they can remain active and productive in the community. Unfortunately, with the current funding challenges, it’s difficult to retain our staff, provide additional training and run the programs our residents need and deserve.”

“I’ve worked in long-term care doing a similar job, and though it did pay slightly more, I get more satisfaction out of the extra time I get to spend with the residents here,” said Steve Olson, the SEIU-West member who is featured in the film. “However, I do have to maintain a second job in order to support my family.”

“Lifting the veil off the Community-Based Organization Sector, I’m excited about that,” said Barbara Cape. “This sector has been subject to sporadic funding commitments but has had no real long-term stable funding increases.”

The video can be found on-line at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIueXa-AozQ

SEIU-West represents approximately 1000 Community-Based Organization workers across the Saskatchewan who work in Assisted living facilities, Addiction treatment, child care and women’s crisis intervention facilities.

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For more information, contact:

Christine Miller, Communications Coordinator – 306.652.1011 ext. 2250

Read it as a PDF: Media Release: SEIU-West releases first Walk-A-Day video