Elmview, Moose Jaw, Parkside, Preston, and Sunset Extendicare Facilities
PLEASE NOTE:
New pay rates are effective April 17, 2022.
Pinned
Regina & District Labour Council Awards Banquet and AGM
SEIU-West is pleased to sponsor up to 3 members to attend the Regina & District Labour Council's 2022 Awards Banquet and Annual General Meeting June 24-25, 2022.
If you would like to attend, your completed Expression of Interest form must be received in our office on or before May 2, 2022 in order to allow us to complete the selection process.
SEIU-West will cover the cost of lost wages, meals, mileage and/or honoraria as applicable for the successful delegates.
Update to Members: March 25, 2022
Dear Members of SEIU-West:
In an effort to keep you all up-to-date on the recent cyber-attack affecting SEIU-West that we first reported to you on March 11, 2022 and updated you on March 15, 2022, we want to provide a further update on where we’re at with this situation.
Update to Members: March 15, 2022
Dear members of SEIU-West:
We are writing you with an important update related to the recent cyber-attack affecting SEIU-West that we first reported to you late last week on March 11, 2022. We promised to provide you with further updates as more information became available.
Here is what we’ve learned to date:
Notice to Members: March 11, 2022
Dear member of SEIU-West:
We are writing to you with important information about a recent cyber-attack affecting SEIU-West. SEIU-West became aware of this cyber-attack on March, 10 2022, which is believed to have occurred early in the morning of March 10, 2022.
Extendicare Canada Inc. (ECI) Bargaining Update No. 7
Date: March 7, 2022
Greetings Brothers and Sisters who work at Extendicare Canada’s Elmview, Preston, Moose Jaw, Parkside, and Sunset facilities:
We wanted to update you regarding the implementation of the new collective agreement you approved in January, as well as regarding the transfer of these facilities to the SHA.
SAHO/SEIU-West Bargaining Bulletin (2nd Edition) No. 24
Date: March 4, 2022
Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
At long last, we can confirm that our collective agreement is finalized and at the printer!
Why the heck did it take so long? Even though we had agreed to and ratified Memorandums of Agreement “A” and “B”, there were issues with the way certain parts were written by the Employer and SAHO that had to be resolved. There were edits and grammatical corrections that we had to fix and ensure that the document was legally and grammatically sound before we could ship it to the printer. Then there was the changes that needed to be made as a result of combining the two Memorandums of Agreement into one CBA.
The first copies of the CBA are being printed now, and the printer has offered to schedule distribution to our three offices. This is a large document that will take time to print and bind. We anticipate having hard copies available mid-March which we will arrange to be delivered to your facilities for distribution by your unit executive.
While you wait for a hard copy, you can find the PDF of the collective agreement and related updates on the SAHO page: https://bit.ly/3pA9mW2.
If your unit doesn’t have a unit executive, reach out to the Member Resource Center at 1-888-999-7348 Ext 2298 or email us at [email protected] or use the contact form on the website so we can talk to you about taking on the role of communicator, shop steward or unit chair so that we can continue to build and strengthen our union!
Media Release: Health Care Provider Unions Denounce Premier Scott Moe's Move to Extend Emergency Order
February 25, 2022
For Immediate Release
The Saskatchewan government’s extension of the provincial emergency order demonstrates how deeply out of touch they are with the reality facing health care workers, according to CUPE 5430, SEIU-West and SGEU who represent Saskatchewan health care providers around the province.
Federal Funding for Health Needs Stronger Conditions Provinces Must Meet
Open Letter to Premier Moe: Saskatchewan's Frontline Workers Call on Government to Protect Vital Services
On January 20, 2022 SEIU-West, the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL), the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation (STF), the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN), SGEU and CUPE Saskatchewan joined together to call on the Government of Saskatchewan to protect our healthcare and education systems and other vital public services from the Omicron wave by immediately following the advice of Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab. The presidents of these six organizations held an unprecedented joint news conference. Today, the joint open letter below was sent to Premier Scott Moe, calling for a a public health order to:
- Limit gathering sizes to a maximum of 10 people.
- Limit the frequency of gathering and establish a consistent “bubble” of close contacts.
- Limit non-school and non-work contacts.
- Limit non-essential travel between communities.
Extendicare Canada Inc. (ECI) Bargaining Update No. 6
Date: January 6, 2022
Greetings Brothers and Sisters:
The SEIU-West members who work at Extendicare Canada’s Elmview, Preston, Moose Jaw, Parkside, and Sunset facilities have voted in favour of the tentative agreement by 85.6%.
November 15, 2021 Update: SHA Proof of Vaccination Policy
SEIU-West and other unions asked the following questions.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) provided the responses.
This document simply communicates the responses of the SHA, and is in no way to be taken that SEIU-West agrees with or endorses the SHA responses.
SEIU-West Guidance On Non-SHA Employer Policies Re Proof Of Covid-19 Vaccination
SEIU-WEST GUIDANCE ON NON-SHA EMPLOYER POLICIES RE PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION
November 12, 2021
On October 1, 2021, the Saskatchewan Government authorized all employers to require that their employees prove that either:
- They are fully-vaccinated against COVID; or
- Have had a recent negative COVID test.
SEIU-West’s responsibility as a union is to represent our membership’s rights, in a manner free from arbitrariness, bias or unreasonableness.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic SEIU-West has worked to address our members’ pandemic-related questions, needs, and concerns. We’ve made employers, the government and the public take notice of the vital service you’ve provided throughout the pandemic. We’ve fought to ensure you have access to appropriate personal protective equipment and mental health supports.
While the healthcare sector (Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and affiliates) has been a focus (see for example our guidance on SHA COVID vaccination policies here) we want to make clear that we also continue to represent the interests of our members in education, retirement homes, community based organizations (CBOs), light industrial and allied sectors.
The following is meant as general guidance about employer vaccination policies for SEIU-West members working for non-SHA employers. It is based on questions we have received from members, our review of employer policies, and relevant legal authorities. We will update this document if and when we receive further information. Because the details and application of an employer’s COVID vaccination policy vary from one employer to another, please contact the Member Resource Centre (MRC) at 1-888-999-7348 Ext 2298 or [email protected] if you have specific questions.
IT Transition Update: May 13, 2022
On May 2, 2022, SEIU-West transition team members met virtually with our IT members who are affected by the proposed transfer of SHA IT staff to eHealth. In attendance for the transition negotiations team were Barb Cape, President; Bob Laurie, Director of Contract Bargaining and Enforcement (CBE); Russ Doell, Deputy Director of CBE; Ravi Doshi, Curtis Firomski and Janice Gaspers.
We reviewed the details of the meeting we had with SAHO, SHA and eHealth on April 20.
National Public Works Week 2022- Mark
Few people get to take pride in their town by taking pride in their work, but that is the entire goal of public works. Today is National Public Works Day, the time for us all to acknowledge our diligent public works employees. Mark works in Public Works Maintenance in a town in the southwest of the province, and everyday Mark and his coworkers strive to keep things in their town running smoothly. Marks has many different roles in his position, depending on the time of year. During the winter he maintains streets and sidewalks, removing snow and keeping roadways clear. In the summer, Mark keeps busy with street sweeping, and keeping the town clean. But he must always be ready for any town emergencies that may come his way.
Asian Heritage Month 2022 - Week Three Contest
- SEIU-West Multicultural Mentorship Committee wants you to join them to celebrate Asian Heritage Month by celebrating with a weekly contest for the month of May!
National Biomedical/Clinical Engineering Week 2022- Doug
This week is National Biomedical/ Clinical Engineering Week! If you think that title sounds interesting, you would be correct. That is exactly how our profiled Biomedical Engineering Technologist, Doug, ended up in this field. Doug met someone in this line of work and thought it sounded interesting. After 2 years of schooling Doug began working in the field, and 19 years later he can’t imagine a better fit for a career. Doug works in an urban acute care setting where he must continue to update his education by taking various courses on specific pieces of equipment as they are released.
Doug starts his day in the OR to see if there are any problems that require his immediate attention. After they have been addressed, Doug continues through the hospital to find equipment for preventive maintenance. It is this helpful problem solving that is Doug’s favourite part of his job. “It is very satisfying to make another person’s day go smoothly, I feel like I really contribute to how the hospital runs and cares for patients in those moments, albeit from behind the scenes,” Doug says.
Bargaining Bulletin No. 12 Canadian Blood Services
President Barbara Cape's Message May 13, 2022
West Park Crossing Bargaining Update No. 4
Date: May 13, 2022
Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
The sale of West Park Crossing to Sienna-Sabre LP, is expected to be finalized in the month of June 2022. Previously scheduled Bargaining dates of April 13 and April 14 were cancelled by the Employer due to this impending sale. Bargaining has been “put on hold” until Sienna-Sabre takes possession of the property. We have been in communication with Sienna-Sabre regarding Collective Bargaining, and have been assured we will be proceeding, once the sale is complete. No additional dates have been set at this time.
(LPN) Stories from the Front Line: Cheryl
Cheryl is an LPN in a rural acute care facility.
When COVID hit she thought, “We’ve got this!”
But they didn’t... they had nothing.
Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day 2022- Caroline
There must have been a greater force at work when Caroline applied for a job in her urban childcare facility. She sent in what she describes as “just a random application for a job that turned into my career.” Fifteen years and a pandemic later, Caroline is still as excited about her job as when she began.
Stories from the Front Line:
Amanda
Amanda has been a Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) for home care for almost twenty years . She assists clients with medications, helps them get dressed, assists with baths, applies compression stockings, assists with colostomy bags and catheters, and she visits with them when time permits.
Amanda chose this career after volunteering at an urban hospital when she was in high school. She loves getting to know her clients and their families and helping to keep clients in their own homes as long as possible. She takes pride in offering peace of mind to the families of those she cares for, that their loved ones are in caring, capable hands.
Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day 2022- Tracy
Tracy is an SEIU-West member who works at an urban childcare facility in the south of the province. This is the time to appreciate all that she does for the children in her community, Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day.
In a day, Tracy provides care for ten toddlers, but it’s so much more than that. Tracy spends her time feeding, playing with, and nurturing children in a way that will make a difference in their lives. Spending time with children is something Tracy is passionate about and has been doing for 10 years. Every day is a new day, and there is always something to learn and someone to inspire.
Stories from the Front Line:
Lisa
Lisa works as a Direct Support Worker for a group home in an urban center, where she cares for residents' various needs in order to live full lives. This involves a little bit of everything, from personal care (such as washing, dressing, bathing, feeding and toileting) to engaging and encouraging her residents. She also does laundry, cleaning, meal planning and preparation, and maintaining their homes.