Celebrate Facilities and Engineering Week!

SEIU-West is excited to celebrate Facilities and Engineering Week October 14-20, 2018!

Those who work in Facilities and Engineering are an integral part of the health care team. Patients, staff and residents rely on quality heating, water and lighting systems to be functional and well-organized in order to support safe health care environments. Members who work in Facilities and Engineering work in a variety of fields including:  Building and Energy Maintenance, Construction, Waste Management, Groundskeeping and Landscaping, and Clinical and Plant Engineering. 

Members like Zoe, who works as a Facility Maintenance Operator, enjoy the new challenges that occur each day in the health care sector.

In recognition of the hardworking people who strive to keep our health care environments safe and operational, we encourage you to participate in the Facilities and Engineering Week contest! We ask that you nominate a member who works within Facilities and Engineering and tell us why they’re important to you. By taking part, you will both be entering to win a number of great prizes including concert tickets, gift cards, and more! Just email [email protected] by October 22, 2018 for your chance to win!

Celebrate Medical Device Reprocessing Week!

From October 15-21, 2018 SEIU-West is proud to recognize Medical Device Reprocessing (MDR) Week! Those who work in MDR are vital to ensuring the safety of patients and residents as their job is to prepare health care equipment so it’s safe and ready to use.

There’s a lot of work behind this job – they must examine, construct, sterilize and decontaminate all used health care equipment. Because patient and staff depend on the cleanliness and functionality of the equipment, our members who work in MDR must be highly focused and thorough in their work.

As we extend our greatest thanks to those who work in MDR, we ask that you participate in our MDR Week Contest! Just complete the word search below and send to [email protected] by October 22, 2018! 

 

 

Health Care Security and Safety Week: A Member Story

October 8-14, 2018 is Health Care Security and Safety Week and in recognition, we have an incredibly moving story from one of our proud Security Officers, Teegan Hunter. The whole health care team contributed significantly throughout the Humboldt tragedy, and this member story is a glimpse to the resilience of this amazing community we call home.

We understand the importance of quality, public health care at all times but particularly during heartbreaking events, when communities need it most. We thank the whole health care team for their efforts and would especially like to extend our gratitude for the hardworking Security Officers, like Teegan, who passionately work to ensure our health care environments are safe for all. Please be sure to give your thanks to your local Security Officers this week and support them by adding your voice to ensure strong security services in our care environments. You can also enter our Health Care Security and Safety Week Contest – just email [email protected] and let us know why public Security Officers add value to your care environment. The deadline to enter is October 17, 2018 and there are many great prizes to be won!

 

Celebrate Therapy Assistants Week!

SEIU-West is excited to share in the celebration of Therapy Assistants Week from September 17-23, 2018!

In SEIU-West, the members who work as Therapy Assistants are classified as Occupational Therapy Assistants and/or Physiotherapy Assistants. Their work is invaluable to the success of improved health.

Therapy Assistants assist patients, residents, and clients (PRC’s) in their aim of increasing physical movement. By improving physical health, PRC’s are better able to expand their day-to-day activities. They also assist in the PRC’s mental state as enhanced mobility helps increase the self-confidence of those requiring care. In this sense, Therapy Assistants help rehabilitate PRCs to their fullest potential.

In recognition of Therapy Assistants Week we encourage all members of SEIU-West to complete this sentence by filling in the blank:

“Therapy Assistants are vital to the health care team because _____________.”

Get your answers in by September 23, 2018! Just email [email protected]

Celebrate Environmental Services Week!

SEIU-West is thrilled to recognize September 10-16, 2018 as Environmental Services Workers Week! Environmental Services Workers (ESW) are an essential part of the health care team.

ESW’s like Dennis, work to ensure patients, residents and clients are cared for and treated in a clean, safe environment. Check out how members like Dennis contribute to the health care team:

Dennis completed his TLR (Transferring, Lifting and Repositioning), WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System), and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) training. He has also completing specialized courses, including the training to provide cleaning services to isolated patient rooms.

Dennis cleans patient rooms, utility areas, and maintains the floors. He also manages garbage and bio-hazardous material pick-up and disposal.  He loves all parts of his job, but especially enjoys the interactions between staff and patients.

When a patient or visitor compliments Dennis on the outstanding job he’s done, or when he is being appreciated and recognized by his coworkers, Dennis knows of the important affect his work has on the health care team.

We couldn’t agree more, and we want to thank Dennis and all ESW’s who work so hard to ensure our health care environments are safe for all.

And as a special thank you, we encourage you to participate in the ESW Week Contest! Just by liking and sharing this post on Facebook, you’ll be entered to win a co-op gift card and SEIU-West swag! Deadline ends September 16! If you don’t have Facebook, just send an email to [email protected] letting her know why you appreciate ESW’s!

Your Super Union Needs A Superhero! Contest

Want to attend the Saskatchewan Entertainment Expo in Saskatoon September 15-16? Here’s your chance! SEIU-West has two sets of tickets for 4 lucky SEIU-West members. How to win?

We ask that you create a name for our SEIU-West superhero and let us know their superpower! This is an excellent and fun way to share your creativity and love of superheroes!

Here’s an example to start you off: Purple Woman – when she touches something, it’ll turn a lovely shade of SEIU-West purple!

Now it’s your turn!

Let us know your SEIU-West superhero name and superpower by September 6 for your chance to win. Just email [email protected] with your entry.

All entries will be placed into a draw – good luck!

Race For The Cure – Group Contest!

SEIU-West is pleased to announce a group contest for upcoming event – Race For The Cure at the Wyant Group Raceway on August 25^th at 6 pm, so act quick!

To participate, send us a picture of you and your workplace ‘pit crew’ (you know those people you rely on every day so you can win your workplace race) and come up with a name for your racing pit crew team.

Be creative! And involve as many colleagues at work as you can, since all of you will be entered for a chance to win.

The group that wins will get 10 tickets to enjoy the race from a Chalet (courtesy of CTV Saskatoon).

Maybe it will be your pit crew? You can take your family, colleagues and friends to the race.

Send your pictures and your pit crew name to [email protected] by August 21, 2018 for a chance to win!

International Self-Care Day – July 24!

We often get so busy we forget to take care of ourselves and end up having too much stress in our lives. Most of us can relate to this reality. This is why SEIU-West is celebrating International Self-Care Day! This day is earmarked for us to take time for ourselves.

There are many definitions of Self-Care. Something simple like visiting your doctor is also considered to be self-care. Here is a definition provided by World Health Organization: ‘Self-Care is what people do for themselves to establish and maintain health, and to prevent and deal with illness. It is a broad concept encompassing hygiene (general and personal), nutrition (type and quality of food eaten), lifestyle (sporting activities, leisure etc.), environmental factors (living conditions, social habits, etc.) socio-economic factors (income level, cultural beliefs, etc.) and self-medication.’ For more information on Self-Care you can visit the official website of the International Self-Care Foundation.

Here are seven pillars of Self-Care provided by International Self-Care Foundation:

1. Health literacy – includes: the capacity of individuals to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions;
2. Mental wellbeing, Self-awareness & Agency – includes: knowing your body mass index (BMI), cholesterol level, blood pressure, and engaging in health screening;
3. Physical activity – practicing moderate intensity physical activity such as walking, cycling, or participating in sports at a desirable frequency;
4. Healthy eating – includes: having a nutritious, balanced diet with appropriate levels of calorie intake;
5. Risk avoidance or mitigation – includes: quitting tobacco, limiting alcohol use, getting vaccinated, practicing safe sex, using sunscreens;
6. Good hygiene – includes: washing hands regularly, brushing teeth, and washing food; and
7. Rational and responsible use of products, services, diagnostics and medicines – includes: being aware of dangers, using responsibly when necessary.

 

Contest!

To celebrate International Self-Care Day, SEIU-West is inviting you to participate in this word search puzzle! Send the complete puzzle to [email protected] and be entered to win tickets to the Regina Folk Festival 2018. There cannot be anything better than Self-Care through music.

The deadline to enter into the ticket draw is August 3^rd! One winner will be selected to receive a pair of tickets for a fun weekend at the festival, so make sure you send in those completed puzzles before the deadline!

Billboard Selfie Contest and Ticket Giveaway!

SEIU-West is excited to announce our new billboard campaign. You will be able to find the new billboards across the whole province of Saskatchewan. This is why we are launching a Selfie/Photo contest. All you have to do is to find one of our billboards and take a selfie or ask a friend to take a picture with you in front of the billboard.

Just keep in mind while participating that safety comes first - be careful, especially on the roads!

This contest is a summer long contest, where we will announce winners every week! We have some exciting giveaway prizes that include concert tickets, Co-Op gift cards, and all of our contest winners are SEIU-West members! So bring out your selfie game!

The deadline to enter is September 26! 

Celebrate World Population Day – July 11!

Today we celebrate the freedom to choose or not to choose having a family. Family Planning is a Human Right is the theme for the United Nations 2018 World Population Day.

The main focus is to ensure that everyone has access to quality information about reproductive health including but not limited to birth control, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) pre- and post-natal care, birthing process, adoption, and other family planning matters.

World Health Day: PAAC Contest

World Health Day: PAAC Contest!

Celebrate Medical Radiation Technology Week!

For the week of November 5-11, SEIU-West asks that we consider the important role our Medical Radiation Technologists (MRTs) and all Diagnostic Imaging Technologists play within the health care team.

The work of a Diagnostic Imaging Technologist is vital for quality patient care. They perform imaging and radiation-related therapy, which is essential if you want an accurate diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan. These technologists deliver safe and professional care by relying on the important skills and experience they’ve gained in their line of work and from their ongoing professional development – and their work is diverse!

They prepare and assess patients, insert and maintain IVs, prepare and use sophisticated computer software and equipment, perform diagnostic procedures, monitor patients during therapeutic procedures, administer contrast media and so much more!

All members of the health care team have been standing in front of the SAHO and government train that is determined to drive over them and make cuts to our public health care services providers and the system.

Technologists have recently been hit with a new, individualized and targeted cut due to education institution program changes and the shortcomings of our JJE program. They are the third family of classifications that have heard such bad news.

SEIU-West (together with CUPE and SGEU) has repeatedly asked SAHO to stop implementing these cuts and begin good faith negotiations to fix the shortcomings of the program through negotiations….but we cannot get this train to stop. We need your help to pull the emergency brake!

We are planning days of action to stop all the cuts…

Monday, November 6, 2017:

Let’s do a phone zap to our MLA’s. Make the message very clear.

–              Technologists have been on the hard to recruit list since July of 2010.

–              Vacancies cannot be filled now.

–              So how will cutting wage rates help? It will only amplify this issue.

–              Instead, let’s invest in a robust public health care system that can truly be patient first; one with safe staffing levels and fairly compensated staff who feel valued and respected for their professional skills.

Tuesday, November 7, 2017:

‘Who Wants to Meet?’ day for all MRTs and other Diagnostic Imaging Technologists. We have asked for info from the JJEMC assistant and we want to have a meeting once it has been received after November 7, 2017. Email [email protected] with your name, cell phone and email address. We will add your name and contact info to our list of invitees for a meeting that you will be able to join in person or by teleconference during which we will discuss:

–              how we got here (what are the shortcomings of the JJE program)

–              what we need to do to fix our problem

–              answer your many questions

–              strategize on how we share our info with others

–              the negative consequence of continuing to allow our government and health sector employers to run with scissors, making rampant cuts to our system without regard for the consequences.

Wednesday, November 8, 2017:

Talk to a friend about the many layers of cuts that face Technologists day. From being overworked to the consequences of the current pay band decreases to the 3.5% proposed cut and the impact this would have on our health care system. Tell them what you do for a living and how important Technologists are to the public health care team.

Thursday, November 9, 2017:

Send a letter to the Minister of Health, Jim Reiter and Minister of Rural and Remote Health, Greg Ottenbreit. We have an online letter writing campaign and a PDF printable version here to help you out.

Share widely with your contacts and get them to participate as well.

Friday, November 10, 2017:

Send us a photo of a group shot of MRTs that participated in MRT week of action!

Every action you do equals another entry into a prize draw so let us know! Email [email protected] to be entered to win!