For Immediate Release: March 19, 2020
Saskatoon – SEIU-West members are taking extra safety measures to protect themselves and their clients, patients, and residents during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
“Our members are doing their best to ensure that they stay healthy in order to take care of the people of this province,” said Barbara Cape, President of SEIU-West. “All we are asking is that the public have some patience when accessing health care services and do your part by washing your hands and keep a healthy distance from others.”
Health care providers are on the front line of the current pandemic and we know that they are doing all that they can to meet the critical needs of their patients, clients and residents.
“We are definitely concerned that our members are being exposed to the virus,” continued Cape. “Their workplaces are currently hot spots for the virus so ensuring they are healthy enough to work is and should be a priority for everyone. Having a safe care environment is not a new issue for our members; they encounter many challenges daily – whether it be understaffing, the lack of equipment or supplies or an inability to have their concerns heard and addressed.”
SEIU-West is working with other health care provider Unions, the Saskatchewan Health Authority, and the Ministry of Health to ensure the right response is happening during this time of crisis.
“I am participating in daily calls with health care representatives so that we ensure our members’ voices are being heard,” added Cape. “We are reaching out to our health care unit leaders to ensure that specific challenges can be communicated to health care representatives. During this critical time, we know the importance of sharing accurate information, SEIU-West’s work for our members and communities doesn’t stop because of a pandemic.”
SEIU-West has set up a page dedicated to information about the coronavirus for their members (https://www.seiuwest.ca/covid_19_coronavirus).
Service Employees International Union West (SEIU-West) represents over 13,000 people across Saskatchewan. They include people who work in health care, education, municipalities, community-based organizations, retirement homes and other sectors. They are joined by one colour – purple – and one union – SEIU-West. Visit PurpleWorks.ca to find out more about SEIU-West members.
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For more information, contact:
Christine Miller, Communications Coordinator
Phone: 306-477-8733
Click here for a printable PDF file of SEIU-West's Media Releas: Caring for Communities.