There is currently a vacancy on the SEIU-West Executive Board for members that work for the Community Based Organizations Sector.
Pinned
Virtual town halls (VTHs) were scheduled for the evenings of May 27 and 28 to update SEIU-West members about SAHO bargaining and answer bargaining questions. Unfortunately, the VTH on May 27 ran into major technical glitches. We apologize if you were one of the hundreds of members whose experienced this failure. We were not satisfied that the supplier of the VTH platform would be able to properly fix these problems in time, so we decided to cancel the May 28 VTH.
You may have noticed there hasn't been an announcement about bbqs for the summer yet.
The SEIU-West First Nations, Métis and Inuit Committee (FNMIC) is hosting a contest to design an image for orange shirts that the committee provides yearly to members. Submit your design to enter to win a $100 Co-op gift card.
Disclaimer: the following information is based on what SEIU-West found on publicly available federal government websites. This information is subject to change as it comes from outside sources. We will update this post further as information becomes available.
Our 2021 SEIU-West Convention is fast approaching. In order to prepare for this Convention, our planning involves both general elections for the positions of President, Treasurer and one (1) Trustee; as well, we will be holding at least five (5) caucus elections for Member at Large positions on the Executive Board.
To facilitate our elections processes, we are looking for three (3) interested members who would be willing to serve on our Elections Committee. The Elections Committee has a staff resource, Karman Kawchuk – Research Coordinator and an ex-officio member, Neil Colmin, our Vice-President. Some of the duties of the Elections Committee include: approval & distribution of candidate campaign material, compiling guidelines for both general/caucus elections, review of any nomination/election challenges, recording names and number of ballots cast for each candidate, working with the Parliamentarian, and providing a final report to the Executive Board. Further information will be provided at the first committee meeting.
If you are interested in serving on the Elections Committee and you will not be running for a position at Convention, please send an email expressing your interest with your name, workplace and cell number to [email protected] before March 1, 2021.
Respect Us & Protect Us
February 18, 2021
Saskatoon – SEIU-West leaders are alarmed with the recent public comments made by Health Minister Paul Merriman regarding the provincial vaccine roll out plan for Saskatchewan.
“It appears that our Health Minister is largely unaware of what is going on in the health sector otherwise he would not be inferring that long-term care staff and residents have all been vaccinated. While long term care staff and residents are in Phase 1, these vaccinations are not complete. In some locations, these have not been offered at all,” says Barb Cape, President of SEIU-West.
Mr. Merriman has indicated that the provincial roll-out plan will be done based on age sequencing; this model was chosen because they “looked at other provinces” and it’s “fastest.”
Cape indicates, “It’s ironic that he acknowledges a review of other jurisdictions when other locations are making health care and emergency personnel a priority for the vaccine. Why is it that only in Saskatchewan we select certain health care workers for the vaccine, rather than offering it out to all? Our Health Minister refers to “forward-facing” health care workers as being in Phase 1. It is obvious that he has no idea about the team of health care workers that we have in working in Saskatchewan. They are all ‘forward facing’ in the drive to reduce the infection rates of COVID-19.”
SEIU-West has sent an open letter to the Premier and the Minister of Health setting out clear examples of why all essential and front line workers in the health and community-based sectors need to be offered the vaccine prior to implementing the proposed age sequencing model. No reply has been received to date.
Cape adds, “It’s ironic that the Minister has stated that they have spoken to the different associations about their priorities. He certainly has undertaken no meaningful consultation with us. I don’t believe that the Minister appreciates the level of disrespect felt by our members who are faced with the daily burdens and risks of COVID. They need access to proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and the vaccine. It’s simply unconscionable to refuse our members who work at the Children’s Hospital, for example, access to the vaccine as a priority. We should be planning to reduce the number of outbreaks in our health care facilities by creating a model which complies with the National Advisory Committee on Immunization rather than increasing the risk to our front line heroes. It’s disrespectful and unsafe!”
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
306-477-8733
Saskatoon, February 16, 2021
Click here to download a printable PDF file of Canadian Blood Services: Bargaining Update No. 5.
On February 16, 2021, SEIU-West President Barb Cape sent the below open letter to Premier Scott Moe.
Click here to view the signed letter. Please scroll to the bottom to find more information about what you can do to help take up the fight. You can watch a video message from SEIU-West President Barb Cape on this issue here.
Dear Sirs,
I write to you on behalf of over 13,000 health care and allied health workers throughout the province of Saskatchewan with respect to the administration of vaccinations for the COVID-19 virus.
Specifically, I wish to draw to your attention the shocking failure of your vaccine delivery plan to appropriately prioritize workers across the full range of interrelated job classifications on which our health care and long-term care systems depend.
As you are aware, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) strongly recommend that all workers in health care settings be prioritized for the vaccine because of their close proximity to those who are likely to acquire COVID-19, but also suffer serious effects from this virus.
These workers have been on the front line of this fight against the spread of COVID-19 – in our hospitals, group homes, long-term care facilities, personal care homes, home care/community care services and blood distribution services. While these workers have been on the front line, the lack of visible support from your government has not gone unnoticed.
In fact, you have left them understaffed resulting in increased overtime and running to provide care; your government doesn’t appear to have an understanding or appreciation of what is actually happening on the front lines of this battle. Allow me to provide some snapshots of what is happening:
- Health care technologists: staff such as Cardiovascular Technologists, other Medical
Radiation Technologist, Medical Lab Techs and Combined Laboratory & X-Ray
Technologists (CLXTs) are often required to move from unit to unit throughout the
hospital or integrated care facility where they work as they provide and interpret the
various tests that are required to diagnose and provide appropriate treatment plans.
Their risk of potential exposure is high because of that movement, as is the
corresponding risk that they will transmit the virus throughout the facility. - Providers of community care and home care: Continuing Care Aides (CCAs),
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) provide health care
services within an individual’s home or in a communal living setting, such as the
Lighthouse in Saskatoon. This service is already fraught with unpredictability
because of the variables in health status on a daily basis. Home care services do not
have the predictability of a structured setting or the support of colleagues in the event
of an adverse health event of an individual. Clients are not screened in advance of
services being offered. As these are an individual’s home or a communal living
situation, the lack of structure for other interactions outside of these locations, such as
visiting outside friends or family or locations, creates an exponential risk for their
personal health and safety that cannot be dismissed or ignored. - Group home staff: Staff who work in these settings are likewise put into a vulnerable
position, along with their clients in these settings, because of the intimate, hands-on
nature of their work providing assistance in the personal care and activities of daily
living for each individual. - Staff at blood donation clinics: In our allied health sector, such as Canadian Blood
Services, there is no oversight or supervision of the adherence to public health orders
such that the requirement for physical distancing of two meters is not adhered to in
the strictest sense. This is likely done to continue to maximize the number of clients
who are donating blood, including the conduct of mobile clinics that put allied health
staff into a variety of work situations that expand the opportunity for infection. This is
the opposite of cohorting. - Staff at COVID test centres: for my final example, I want to highlight the unfortunate
irony of the lack of a mandate to vaccinate those staff who are either conducting the
actual COVID-19 tests and assessments or those who are providing the actual
vaccinations. The close proximity in both of these unique work environments leaves
too many opportunities for infection.
These are just a handful of examples of the movement and impact of health care and allied health workers. There are literally hundreds more examples impacting thousands of staff throughout the province.
While we appreciate that personal protective equipment (PPE) is standard issue for these staff, it is in an environment of several variants of COVID-19 that we continue to operate that has literally ‘upped the ante’ in our gamble with not vaccinating these health care and allied health staff as a priority. And while universal masking and PPE are key in arresting the spread of COVID-19, the clients, patients and residents that all of these workers encounter on a repeated and daily basis are not held to the same standard nor educated to the risks and effects of improper PPE wearing.
On behalf of not only my members within SEIU-West, but all health care and allied health workers, I implore you to reinstate the previously published sequence for these workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccines as a priority.
I look forward to your earliest possible response.
Respectfully,
Barbara Cape
President
SEIU-West
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Together, united, let's stand up to this inequity and demand protection for our residents, our patients, ourselves and our families and communities.
We need the government and SHA hear from all of you, soon, so they make revisiting the COVID19 vaccine rollout a priority.
Please consider dropping a line or placing a phone call:
Scott Moe
Ph: 306-747-3422 / 1-855-793-3422 (Shellbrook office)
306-787-9433 (Legislature office)
Health Minister Paul Merriman
Ph: 306-244-5623 (Saskatoon office)
306-787-7345 (Legislature office)
If you're looking for even more to do, contact your nearest Sask Party MLA and demand they push their colleagues to do the right thing.
Hey Moe… Where’s Our Dough?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 11, 2021
Saskatoon – SEIU-West members who work in hospitals, community-based organizations, and for employers such as Canadian Blood Services are still being left out of the province’s Temporary Wage Supplement (TWS) program. In many other provinces these crucial workers have received a wage supplement.
“The work that our members do in hospitals, child care, group homes, crisis intervention, and blood collection puts them in close contact with the general public on a daily basis – they can’t do their work from home. These workers are at as much risk as our members who work in Long-Term Care and Home Care setting. All of them should be included in the wage top up,” says Barb Cape, President of SEIU-West.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, SEIU-West members who work as Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs), Continuing Care Assistants (CCAs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Environmental Service Workers (ESWs), Patient/Client Intake, Direct Care workers, and Security Officers, to name a few, have been coming into their workplaces every day facing steady interactions with people in the public.
“I’m not sure if the public knows that people who are processing COVID tests aren’t getting the TWS,” continues Cape. “And that the people who clean hospitals are on the first line of defense against the spread of viruses aren’t receiving the top up. These are two of the many classifications in the health care team that are key in fighting this deadly disease.”
The government is not being honest on the reason for not issuing the Temporary Wage Supplement broadly for all front line workers who work in close proximity to people and are exposed to bodily fluids. The Minister of Finance’s office have given different reasons to different members. Ultimately, if this is intended to keep people working, then all front line health care staff, allied health, and community-based workers should be eligible; the Premier and his Minister of Finance shouldn’t be picking winners and losers.
When it was launched, the first phase of the TWS was for people who worked in Long-Term Care homes and completely left out both Hospital and Home Care workers. While phase two of the program now includes home care workers, it still leaves out many vital workers who are in a position of high risk.
“The public should be aware that this government is being selective about whose contribution to our public services are more valuable,” adds Cape. “I do not believe that this government actually understands the impact of this pandemic on front line staff and values saving lives, particularly when the focus is open keeping Saskatchewan open, rather than keeping us safe.”
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 united 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
306-477-8733
Vaccination Plan Misses the Mark
February 10, 2021
For Immediate Release
Saskatoon – SEIU-West members are shocked to discover that, once again, the SaskParty government has diminished the value of our front line health care providers as the vaccine roll out plan places them on the back burner in Saskatchewan.
“Our members are facing the daily burdens presented by the ongoing surge of COVID in this province yet so many have been missed in phase 1 of the vaccination plan. It’s obvious, given recent public statements from Premier Scott Moe, that our provincial government has no intention of reducing the risk to these front line health care providers by the introduction and enforcement of more stringent regulations. Now we see they will not be afforded a priority vaccine either. This is a huge mistake,” says Barb Cape, President of SEIU-West.
Cape adds, “Our provincial government needs to understand the devastating effects of COVID on the front line. We should be focusing on what we can control rather than what we cannot if we truly want to manage the spread of COVID-19. Pinning our success solely on fighting this disease with a vaccine is a foolish strategy given that we have no control over access; our question is whether this is simply another way to shirk responsibility when it comes to fighting this pandemic? It is alarming that there is so little respect for the protection of our front line heroes – when they face the brunt of provincial decision-making on a daily basis. Why would we not see them placed in phase 1 of the vaccination plan? These priorities need to be realigned immediately.”
For weeks now, Scott Moe and our SaskParty government have been blaming the Canadian Federal government for the lack of supply of vaccine – the apparent silver bullet in the fight against the COVID-19 Coronavirus.
“This is not a one-solution kind of situation,” continues Cape. “The vaccine is a very important part of the puzzle in this fight but we also need stronger restrictions that are actually enforced.”
The provincial government has been maintaining for weeks that their current public health order and restrictions are sufficient and that tightening them won’t help. Recently Moe has been rallying behind the idea that the vaccine is the only way out of this pandemic.
“The one thing that I think has been keeping people safe during this pandemic is doing what they can to reduce risk,” adds Cape. “Staying physically distant, wearing a mask, washing your hands; those are things people can control. What people don’t have control over and what this government doesn’t have control over is how fast vaccines can be manufactured and delivered so, in the meantime, we must do what we can to lessen the risk and if that requires tighter restrictions, then we need to do that.”
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 united 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
306-477-8733
Click here to download a printable PDF of this media release.
Just a reminder that the deadline for applications for Phase 2 of the Saskatchewan Temporary Wage Supplement is February 15, 2021.
While we continue to demand that Premier Scott Moe give all essential workers retroactive access to both phases, please remember to take advantage of the program if you already qualify by working in an approved facility.
Eligible essential care facilities are listed alphabetically in the online application form (see drop-down menus under each eligible facility type). In its current form, Saskatchewan's Temporary Wage Supplement benefit is provided to full-time, part-time and casual workers, and includes anyone employed by the facility, such as care workers, cooks, housekeepers, janitors, administrative staff, etc.
You can find more information on this program on the Saskatchewan government's website.
To learn more about SEIU-West's "Hey Moe, Where's Our Dough?" campaign, fighting for access to the Temporary Wage Supplement for all essential workers, click here.
Saskatoon, February 3, 2021
Click here to download a printable PDF file of Canadian Blood Services: Bargaining Update No. 4
For Immediate Release - February 2, 2021
Saskatoon – In the wake of the disturbing COVID-19 mortality rates coming out of Extendicare Parkside, SEIU-West is renewing their calls for a full-scale overhaul of the Saskatchewan long-term care system. The SEIU-West campaign to #EndUnderstaffing evolved as a consequence of the last decade with budget-driven resources eroding the quality of care for our seniors.