Involvement in Committees is a great way to get involved and be a part of your union.

Committees keep us at the forefront of the Labour movement in Canada, and provide an excellent opportunity for members to learn from each other.

We’re in this together so if you are interested in any of the committees listed below or have an idea for a new committee, fill out our Contact form and we’ll be happy to help you find your fit.

Our Committees

Here is a list of the committees that are currently active, click on the name and you can find out more:

Mission:

To keep our members informed and up-to-date with a view to broadly promote our union and to expand upon education opportunities for members interested in taking on an activist, leadership and/or a representative role. Providing members and members’ families with educational opportunities through scholarship program and setting criteria for selection process.

Vision:

To educate, engage and motivate our members through our education opportunities. This will activate and empower members to be leaders in our union.

Members:

Co-Chairs:

Charlene Redekopp - Head Cook - Rosthern Hospital (Rosthern) 306.222.2571

Colleen Denniss - Continuing Care Assistant - Rosevilla Long Term Care - (Rosetown) 306.831.4131

Recording Secretary:

Tanya Brost - on leave of absence

Members:

Csilla Vajda

Laura Fleming

Crystal Paulson - Continuing Care Assistant, Pleasantview Care Home (Wadena) 306.338.8051

Darlene Johnston - Continuing Care Assistant, Last Mountain Pioneer Home (Strasbourg) 306.725.8011 (text only please)

Melanie King - Continuing Care Assistant, Home Care (Saskatoon)

Top Officer:
Jason Monteith - 1-888-999-SEIU ext 4225

Staff Representative:
Dennel Pickering - 306-652-1011 ext. 2241

Work of the Education Committee:

The members of the Education Committee do many things including:

Attend Career Fairs in Saskatchewan;
Administer the Scholarship program for Children of SEIU-West Members and SEIU-West Members;
Inform about available Member Education Programs.

First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Committee

Mission:

To promote awareness of our proud First Nations, Métis and Inuit culture and how it intertwines within our union environment.

Composition:

Committee members must be members in good standing who identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit who have completed an "Expression of Interest" form within the appropriate deadline and following notice of the reconstitution of Committees. The motion to formally appoint members to the Committee is the express authority of the SEIU-West Executive Board. The President or Designate is Ex-Officio to this Committee. The President or Designate will assign Staff resources to the Committee.

The Chairperson or Co-Chairpersons shall be a member of the Committee and appointed by the consensus of the Committee Members.

The Committee will consist of up to eight (8) members. The term will be the two years between SEIU-West Biennial Conventions.

Goals:

Engage our First Nations, Métis and Inuit members to strengthen their union involvement.
Inform and educate all union members on First Nations, Métis and Inuit issues within the workplace.
Recruit potential members by attending career fairs and conferences.
Be an advisory and resource for all union members, the Executive Board and Bargaining committees on First Nations, Métis and Inuit issues.

Members:

Committee Members:

Co-Chairs:

Janell Kachuik - Continuing Care Assistant - St Joseph Hospital/Foyer D'Youville

Debbie Desjarlais - Licensed Practical Nurse - Oliver Lodge - 306.370.7429

Recording Secretary:

Wolana Fox - Licensed Practical Nurse - Cypress Regional Hospital - 306.750.0559

Members:

Angela Munshaw - Recreation worker - Moose Jaw Special Care Home

Summer Brass

Top Officer:
Barb Cape - 1-888-999-SEIU ext 8730

Staff Representative:
Dennel Pickering, – 306.652.1011 ext. 2241

Resources:

The Truth and Reconciliation Report on YouTube: #ReadTheTRCReport

Summary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

Donation Drive Poster

Book Club List

Bannock in Heaven - Laķalet Kîsiķohk

Five Little Indians - Michelle Good

Firekeeper's Daughter - Angeline Boulley

Firewater - Harold R. Johnson

Half Breed - Maria Campbell

I am not a number - Dr. Jenny Kay Dubuis, Kathy Kacer

Indian Horse - Richard Wagamese

Killers of the Flower Moon - David Grann

Life in the City of Dirty Water - Clayton Thomas-Muller

The Right to Be Cold - Sheila Watt-Cloutier

Three Day Road - Joseph Boyden

Up Ghost River Edmund Metatawabin

What I remember, What I know Larry Auglaluk

Show/Movie Club List

Bones of Crow: Official trailer here

Killers of the Flower Moon: Official trailer here

Little Bird: Official trailer here

True Story Part 1: Official trailer here

True Story Part 2: Official trailer here

Sugarcane: Official trailer here

We were Children: Official trailer here

Gender and Sexual Diversity Committee

Purpose:

The purpose of the Gender and Sexual Diversity Committee (GSDC) shall be to identify, support, and celebrate gender and sexually diverse members in their workplaces.

Composition:

The committee shall be composed of up to eight SEIU-West Members in good standing. Preference will be given to those who identify as members of the Gender and Sexually Diverse Community, with up to two members that identify as Allies. Motion to appoint members will be approved by the Executive Board.

The committee will be tabled by two co-chairs that identify as Gender or Sexually Diverse; one of whom does not identify as a man, and one of whom does not identify as a woman. There will be an elected recording secretary, nominated by the committee members.

Duties and Responsibilities:

To assist the SEIU-West Executive Board in achieving its targets and priorities
Increasing the visibility of gender and sexually diverse members in the workplace
Creating a visible SEIU-West presence within the gender and sexually diverse community
Educating SEIU-West Members, Staff, and Leadership about gender and sexually diverse issues
Educating the gender and sexually diverse community about labor issues, and supporting workers’ rights within that community
Networking with other labor and community groups to build a strong visible coalition of Gender and Sexually Diverse allies and activists
To work in collaboration with other organizations supporting Gender and Sexually Diverse community members
Organizing against all discrimination, specifically discrimination based on sex or gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation or perceived orientation, and or marital status
Promoting gender and sexually diverse active participation and leadership, to work for union democracy and rank and file development.
Lobby government at all levels in order to accomplish our mandate.

Members:

Committee Co-Chairs

Jae Blakley - They/them

Tatyana Ring - She/her

Recording Secretary

Members at Large

Chris Epp - He/him

Carter Shaw - He/him

Sam Warman - She/her

Top Officer
Barbara Cape She/her – 306.693.7922 ext. 8730

Staff Representative

Angie K ells She/her – 306.652.1011 ext. 2225

Contact this committee

Resources

Gender Transition Guidelines (by Public Service Commission of Saskatchewan)

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Older Adults and Residential Care Environments - Final Report (by Saskatoon Council on Aging and OUT Saskatoon)

Saskatchewan 2SLGBTQ+ Elders, Seniors, and Older Persons Issues of Concern – Overview Document

Executive Summary: Survey: Still Every Class in Every School (by Egale.ca. Read the full report here.)

Proud, Prepared, and Protected is a suite of online resources (by Canadian Virtual Hospice in collaboration with 40 Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations and more than 100 members of 2SLGBTQ+ communities)

Creating Authentic Spaces: A Gender Identity and Gender Expression Toolkit - Pride At Work Canada (by the 519)

LGBT Rights in Saskatchewan (by Equaldex)

Gender and Sexual Diversity Glossary (by Government of Canada)

A Statistical Portrait of Canada's Diverse LGTQ+ Communities (by Statistics Canada)

LGBTQ2 Action Plan Survey - Demographic Portrait of the Respondents by Government of Canada)

Be Part of the LGBTQ2 Action Plan (by Government of Canada)

2SLGBTQI+ Federal Action Plan (by Government of Canada)

OUT Saskatoon Q List OUT Saskatoon referral list or places that aims to be inclusive of 2SLGBTQIA+) people

Notable 2SLGBTQ+ Awareness Dates | QueerEvents.ca List of awareness dates with descriptions

Videos

*Trigger warning: Ignorance and fear of the beauty of diversity. There is nothing wrong with you. There's something wrong in the village. Let's make better villages where everyone can be accepted, loved, and safe.

Wrabel - The Village

It Gets Better (RCMP BC)

Terminology

Click here for a printable PDF containing 2SLGBTQIA+ Glossary of Terms.

Member Organizing Committee

Mission, Vision and Values

SEIU-West would like to remind all MEMBERS that they ARE the union.

Get involved as a member organizer and help share the benefits of being unionized with non-unionized workers.

MISSION

The purpose of organizing is to bring strength and solidarity to all workers. We will work collectively and effectively, support and encourage, uniting all workers and promoting our Local in order to achieve this purpose.

VISION

Organize our jurisdiction completely and fully

Recruit Organizers
Provide education
Build a strong and effective Local

VALUES

Solidarity
Ethical Practice
Strength

Form Your Union:

Click here if you are looking to form a union at your workplace.

Or contact our Organizing Department at 1-888-999-SEIU!

Nursing Care Committee

Mission & Vision

The prime purpose for our Nursing Care Committee is to:

Educate;
Communicate; and
Advocate

for nurses who are members of SEIU-West.

The Nursing Care Committee will be an avenue to educate our members on nursing issues.

We will:

inform and communicate with our members and the bargaining committee of issues arising in nursing
lobby governments on issues concerning the committee and our members in the nursing sector;
be the watchdog for SEIU-West issues and concerns in nursing locally and provincially; and
be an advisory and resource for our members.

Committee Members

Committee Members:

Brenda Berry - CCA, Central Butte Regency Hospital - Co-Chair

Paula Dufour - CCA, Providence Place (Moose Jaw)

Kyla Kuffner-Cameron - LPN, Saskatoon City Hospital

Ambre Palmer - CCA, St. Joseph's Hospital/Foyer D'Youville (Gravelbourg)

Jennifer Warburton - CCA, Providence Place (Moose Jaw)

Colleen Watson - LPN, Elmview Special Care Home (Regina)

Deidre Wilson - CCA, Moose Jaw Home Care - Co-Chair

Top Officer:

Jason Monteith

Staff Representative:

Karman Kawchuk

Political Action and Awareness

Mission

The Political Action and Awareness Committee educates and motivates our members to engage in political issues at all levels of government and lobbies for the rights of all workers.

Are you wondering why politics is important to your Union?

Whether it is a municipal, provincial or federal election or issue, the people we elect to lead our towns, cities, province or country can greatly affect our community and the lives of working people.

For instance, the federal government decides how much money in their budget will be allotted to each of the provinces for health care and education. The amount of federal funding received for public services affects our provincial budget.

Members

Committee Co-Chairs:
Tristan Banyay Youth Care Worker, Irene and Leslie Dube Centre for Mental Health
Karen Turton Licensed Practical Nurse, Cypress Regional Hospital

Recording Secretary:
Megan Stewart Licensed Practical Nurse, SHA

Members:

Martin Been Office Clerk, St. Paul's Hospital

Lisa Zunti Licensed Practical Nurse, St. Paul's Hospital

Lou Ellen Murray Senior Home Care Scheduler, SIHF Maple Creek

Monica Reich Diagnostic Imaging Porter, Dr. F. H. Wigmore Regional Hospital

Christiana Shittu, Continuing Care Assistant, Saskatoon City Hospital

Top Officer:
Barbara Cape – 306-693-7922 ext. 8730

Staff Representative:
Angie Kells 306-652-1011 ext. 2225

Resources

Click on the link below for the committee terms of reference:
Terms of Reference – Political Action and Awareness Committee

Important links:
Find your Federal Riding: Elections Canada
Find your Provincial Constituency: Elections Saskatchewan

Campaign pages:
Laundry and Linen Privatization
Saskatchewan Employment Act (SEA Campaign)

Retiree Committee

Mission & Vision

To promote pre-retirement education and be a conduit in directing and communicating to the members of SEIU-West how to find the most relevant information for their personal situation.
To help foster a diverse sense of community by creating alliances with other relevant committees, such as the Workers of Colour Multicultural Mentorship Committee, the First Nations, Métis, Inuit Committee, and the Gender and Sexual Diversity Committee.

Committee Members

Committee Chair:

Melanie King - Continuing Care Assistant, Home Care (Saskatoon)

Recording Secretary:

Lorraine Pollock - Continuing Care Assistant, Home Care (Saskatoon)

Committee Members:

Charlene Redekopp - Head Cook, Rosthern Hospital

Top Officer:

Janice Platzke, – 306.773.2536 ext. 8732

Staff Representative:

Leanne Hendriks - 306.652.1011 ext. 2244

Worker Safety

Mission

The mission of the SEIU-West Worker Safety Committee is to create strategies and programs that broaden the awareness of safety for all SEIU-West members. We will strive to be a knowledgeable resource for SEIU-West Staff and the Executive and to offer education and support for our members on matters relating to Occupational Health and Safety.

Committee Members

Committee Members:

Irina Babut - Wynyard Integrated Hospital

Angela Caragata - Pioneer Lodge (Moose Jaw) - Recording Secretary

Kevin Fallis - St. Paul's Hospital (Saskatoon)

Joahn Murdoch - Saskatoon City Hospital

Lisa Ouellette - Craik Health Centre

Tanya Sheppard - Royal University Hospital (Saskatoon) - Chair

Lisa Virtue - Sunset Special Care Home (Regina)

Pam Willms - St. Paul's Hospital (Saskatoon)

Top Officer:

Jason Monteith

Staff Representative:

Karman Kawchuk

Workers of Colour Multicultural Mentorship Committee

Purpose

To promote awareness of the cultures of our Workers of Colour Members within our union membership, and how their values intertwine with union values.

We are committed to promoting racial justice, inclusion, and equality in the workplace and in our communities.

We aim to build strong relationships with community organizations and allies through participation in cultural events.

Composition

The Committee shall be composed of up to eight SEIU-West Members in good standing. The committee will be comprised of members that identify as workers of colour. Motion to appoint members will be approved by the Executive Board.

The committee will be tabled by two co-chairs that identify as workers of colour. There will be an elected recording secretary, nominated by the committee members.

Duties & Responsibilities

To assist the SEIU-West Executive Board in achieving its targets and priorities while ensuring diverse representation.
To engage our Workers of Colour members to strengthen their union knowledge and engagement.
To promote racial justice, inclusion and equity in our workplaces and communities.
To educate and inform all union members on Workers of Colour issues within the workplace.
To keep our Workers of Colour members up to date on specific issues that might impact them.
To recruit possible members by attending meetings, conferences and cultural events.
To work with other Equity seeking groups to broaden and develop the goals of union members.
To be an advisory and a resource for all union members, the Executive Board and bargaining committee on Workers of Colour issues and to ensure that diversity is reflected.

Committee Members

Committee Chair:

Jeanne Javinal - Licensed Practical Nurse, Community Renal Hemodialysis Centre (Saskatoon)

Recording Secretary:

Arlene Lontoc - Medical Laboratory Assistant - Saskatoon City Hospital

Committee Members:

Yolanda Sagayo - Head Cook, Davidson Health Centre (Davidson) - 306.262.3163

Leta Raquel Lee - Health Records Clerk - Saskatoon City Hospital - 306.203.1544

Shawky El Mougi

Top Officer:
Janice Platzke 1-888-999-SEIU ext 8732

Staff Representative:
Dennel Pickering – 306.652.1011 ext. 2241

Resources

The myth of race, debunked in 3 minutes - YouTube

History of Racism in Canada - YouTube

Doll test - The effects of racism on children (ENG) - YouTube

MICROAGGRESSIONS IN THE CLASSROOM - YouTube

Equality Diversity & Inclusion in 2021 - WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT? - YouTube

Threads Library from the Saskatoon Open Door Society

Inay (Mama) (You need an account to watch this but accounts are free)

Young Workers

Mission:

The mission of the SEIU-West Young Workers Committee is to engage and unite young union members to become more active and knowledgeable in the labour movement.

Our goal is to mobilize young workers across Saskatchewan to become leaders and activists for social change within their unions and communities at large.

Through support, unity and encouragement, we help develop skills for young worker leadership today.

Composition:

Committee members must be members in good standing who have completed an "Expression of Interest" form within the appropriate deadline and following notice of the reconstitution of Committees. Committee members must also be aged 35 or under. Motion to formally appoint members to the Committee is the express authority of the SEIU-West Executive Board. The President or Designate is Ex-Officio to this Committee. The President or Designate will assign Staff resources to the Committee.

The Chairperson or Co-Chairpersons shall be a member of the Committee and appointed by the consensus of the Committee Members.

The Committee will consist of up to eight (8) members. The term will be the two years between SEIU-West Biennial Conventions.

Community Involvement:

Involvement from the Young Workers’ Committee in the community is a priority because it is an opportunity to meet the people we live with and work for. Unions have a strong relationship to their communities, and it is important to have Young Workers present. Our committee will strive to ensure a presence at both urban and rural solidarity events, such as: Labour Day events, Sidewalk Day festivals, and Homecomings.

We also get to show them that union members contribute to vibrant communities.

Committee Members:

Committee Members

Darby McComb- CCA, Nokomis Health Centre 306.450.1439 Recording Secretary

Nicole Warn - Laundry Service Worker, Sherbrook Care Centre (Saskatoon) Chair

Mariann Marcia- CCA, Nokomis Health Centre 306.231.0827

Top Officer:
Jason Monteith

Staff Representative:
Kate McDaid

Our Committees

Mission:

Vision:

Members:

Work of the Education Committee:

Mission:

Composition:

Goals:

Members:

Resources:

Book Club List

Show/Movie Club List

Purpose:

Composition:

Duties and Responsibilities:

Members:

Resources

Videos

Mission, Vision and Values

Form Your Union:

Mission & Vision

Committee Members

Mission

Members

Resources

Mission & Vision

Committee Members

Mission

Committee Members

Purpose

Composition

Duties & Responsibilities

Committee Members

Resources

Mission:

Composition:

Community Involvement:

Committee Members:

Moose Jaw

Saskatoon

Swift Current