In early December, the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board (the LRB) issued a decision about the five former Extendicare facilities. The decision was based on an interpretation of the regulations that governed a previous restructuring of the healthcare system in 1997, commonly called the ‘Dorsey regulations’. In that decision, the Saskatoon and Moose Jaw facilities remain within the SEIU-West family. However, the 3 Regina-based facilities were moved, without a vote of the membership, into the CUPE 5430 jurisdiction.
Pinned
Notice to Members in the Education Sector - Re: STF Strike
January 12, 2024
Good afternoon,
As you may have heard, the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) has announced that its members across Saskatchewan will be conducting a one-day strike on Tuesday, January 16th.
SEIU-West Education Support Staff Stands with the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation
The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (the STF) has been bargaining with the Government and Trustee bargaining committee. They have reached an impasse and are unable to make any progress. The STF has notified their members that they will be holding a vote on sanctions against their employer.
Convention 2023: Constitutional Amendments
The following Constitutional Amendments were debated, voted on, and passed during Convention:
Scheduler's Week Profile- Jocelyn
For the week of March 29 – April 4, SEIU-West is proud to celebrate our very first Scheduler’s Week!
Schedulers maintain all aspects of staff scheduling while adhering to collective bargaining agreements and staffing guidelines of all departments within the scheduling office.
To celebrate this week we’re shinning the spotlight on Jocelyn, a Staff Scheduler at Saskatoon City Hospital Operating Room. Her job includes scheduling for nursing staff and support staff. In a typical day she looks after short notice calls for any absences based on how many theaters are running and how many staff they need to have for that particular day and it varies.
Her job also includes making the necessary changes to make sure things keep running smoothly especially in light of Covid-19, such as making sure urgent surgeries are scheduled and elective surgeries are cancelled.
Jocelyn says one of the best part of her job is interacting with people and she finds that employees are more trusting when they can speak to a live voice. Although there is less of this since the introduction of the staff scheduling website.
Jocelyn started out as a Work Clerk doing scheduling and has since then garnered 30 years experience as a scheduler. Jocelyn can actually recognize people that she has never met in person just from the sound of their voice! Now that’s what we call voice recognition!
We are proud to celebrate the health care heroes that are Schedulers!
President's Message: COVID-19 and Safe Staffing
SEIU-West President Barbara Cape calls on members to contact their Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in advance of Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Week (May 3 to 9, 2020) to legislate safe staffing levels in health care facilities.
Facebook Live Event: COVID-19
We are pleased to announce our first-ever SEIU-West Facebook Live Event!
Join SEIU-West President Barbara Cape on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at 3:00 pm.
Submit your question in advance through our online contact form.
Mental Health Support During COVID-19
It’s understandable that many of us are struggling with our mental health these days – the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our daily lives and caused global grief and anxiety amongst our communities – so SEIU-West has developed this Mental Health Support During COVID-19 page in order to reassure you that you’re not alone, and that there are many resources that can help you during this challenging time.
Please note that SEIU-West is not responsible for the content of the external sites set out on this page – we are simply attempting to share resources that are available.
Social Distancing and Still Being Social: | Social distancing is mandatory in order to flatten the curve of COVID-19, but we suggest that you take this to mean physical distancing – you can still be social on the phone, online, and through many video conferencing options where there is no physical contact. We advise that you reach out to your loved ones – check out this article for many online tools that are helping people reach out to their friends and family, whether they’re next door or across the country. |
Mutual Aid: |
Many people have risen to the challenge during this pandemic, and SEIU-West applauds the solidarity we’re witnessing in communities across Saskatchewan. Throughout Canada, the pandemic has led to the “caremonger” movement. Caremongering is just the opposite of fearmongering, and we’ve seen many of the caremongering efforts pop up around Saskatchewan communities. So be sure to do a caremongering search on Facebook as there are many community pages where people are sharing positive stories, while also asking for help or offering to help. For example, check out the Caremongering Saskatoon page. And if you can’t find one in your area, we encourage you to set one up with your neighbours if you’re able to. Just remember to limit your social media use, as often news articles are shared that can add to our anxiety. If you're not sure how to talk to someone about mental health during COVID-19, we recommend the following resource: Tips on talking to someone in crisis during COVID-19 It's also vital that you reflect on your own mental health. Check out the following helpful resources: |
EFAP: |
Most SEIU-West members have access to Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP). If you’re not sure you’re eligible for EFAP, call our Member Resource Centre (MRC) at 1.888.999.7348 ext. 2298 (province-wide) or use our online contact form. With EFAP, you can access 24/7, confidential professional assistance and resources through EFAP. Keep in mind that in-person counselling is unavailable, but that there are a number of video, phone, and text options to talk to a professional. Some other services include:
Visit WorkHealthLife for these and other services and check out this webinar on emotional wellbeing. NEW! - you can also visit 3S health for a list of expanded services to support your mental wellbeing - visit this link for more information. |
Other important resources: |
In addition to the supports mentioned above, below is a list of many more resources to support your mental wellbeing during this time but remember, you can always call our MRC at 1.888.999.7348 ext. 2298 (province-wide) or use our online contact form if you have any questions regarding COVID-19.
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SEIU-West's Education Committee has a list of Mental Health Courses.
SEIU-West's Young Worker Committee is Shining a Light on Coping with Burnout.
If you have any information that you think should be added to this page, please let us know by emailing [email protected].
Health Information Professionals Week Profile - Aimee
For the week of March 22-28, SEIU-West is proud to celebrate Health Information Professionals Week!
Health Information Professionals Week Profile - Sherry
SEIU-West is proud to celebrate Health Information Professionals Week March 22-28, 2020!
Media Release: Provincial COVID-19 Plan Deficient
For Immediate Release, March 25, 2020
Saskatoon – The front line health care providers of SEIU-West are not surprised with the recent media reports about the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and Ministry of Health ‘planning challenges’ in dealing with COVID-19.
Memo - SEIU-West Annual Vacation
If you are an SEIU-West member who works for the Sask Health Authority please see the attached resolve that has been reached (due to COVID-19) and the end of the vacation year which is March 31.
Win of the Week! March 22-28
We couldn’t wait to share this win of the week that occurred over the weekend! When we arrived to our Moose Jaw office on Monday morning, we found out a member of the general public in Moose Jaw surprised us with a thoughtful gesture. In bold, purple chalk was a message of thanks to SEIU-West members, alongside a large heart. It certainly warmed our hearts, and we hope it does for you too! Thank you, as always, to each of our members who are providing public services and demonstrating true leadership during this time of crisis.
Media Release: SEIU-West Responds to Provincial Spending Plans
For Immediate Release: March 23, 2020
Saskatoon – Members of SEIU-West are concerned about the Saskatchewan government’s recently released spending plan for the 2020-21 fiscal year. The plan is not good news for the sectors and workers who stand to be among the most affected by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, and who have a critical role to play in mitigating the crisis.
COVID-19: Additional Measures to Protect Saskatchewan Residents
Released on March 20, 2020 - from the Government of Saskatchewan
Expanded Public Health Order For Mandatory Self-Isolation, Gatherings
The Chief Medical Health Officer is updating the public health order under The Public Health Act to further reduce the risk of potential COVID-19 transmission in the province. At the same time, Premier Scott Moe today signed an order pursuant to the provincial State of Emergency directing that all orders of the government and Chief Medical Health Officer must be followed and that law enforcement agencies in Saskatchewan have the full authority to enforce those orders.
Moe said he was particularly concerned that some individuals returning from international travel were not following the 14 day self-isolation policy.
“I know that the vast majority of Saskatchewan people are taking their personal responsibility seriously and following this order,” Moe said. “But a few are not. This is not a suggestion. It is not a guideline. It is the law and it must be followed.”
In consultation with the Minister of Health, the following measures are effective immediately:
• Public gatherings of more than 25 people in one room are prohibited except where two metre distancing between people can be maintained; workplace and meeting settings where people are distributed into multiple rooms or buildings; and retail locations (ie. grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations).
• The closure of all nightclubs, bars, lounges and similar facilities. Take out of alcohol or food products so permitted with two metre distancing between customers and the delivery of alcohol or food products.
• In-person classes in all primary and secondary educational institutions both public and private are suspended.
• Visitors to long-term care homes, hospitals, personal care homes, and group homes shall be restricted to family visiting for compassionate reasons.
Mandatory Self-Isolation
• Effective immediately, all persons that have travelled internationally shall go into mandatory self-isolation for 14 days from date of arrival back into Canada.
• Health Care workers who have traveled internationally, truckers, rail, airline or other working crews are exempt from this advisory only if they are required to work to maintain essential services, provide emergency health care services and maintain supply chain, and are supervised by Infection, Prevention Control Officers and/or Occupational Health and Safety in the workplace.
• All persons who have been identified by a Medical Health Officer as a close contact of a person or persons with novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) shall go into mandatory self-isolation for 14 days from the date of last having been exposed to COVID-19.
• All persons who have become symptomatic while on mandatory self-isolation shall call HealthLine 811 and follow HealthLine’s directives.
• All persons who are household members of a person having laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 shall immediately go into mandatory self-isolation, call HealthLine 811 and follow HealthLine’s directives.
Effective March 23, 2020
• The closure of restaurants, food courts, cafeterias, cafes, bistros and similar facilities. Exceptions are take out with two metre distancing between customers during pick-up; drive through food services; delivery of food products; soup kitchens, not-for-profit community and religious kitchens with two metre distancing between tables.
• The closure of all recreational and entertainment facilities including fitness centers, casinos, bingo halls, arenas, curling rinks, swimming pools, galleries, theatres, museums and similar facilities.
• The closure of all personal service facilities including tattooists, hairdressers, barbers, acupuncturists, acupressurists, cosmetologists, electrologists, estheticians, manicurists, pedicurists, suntanning parlours, relaxation masseuses, facilities in which body piercing, bone grafting or scarification services.
• The closure of dental, optometrist, chiropractic, registered massage therapy and podiatry clinics except for non-elective procedures.
• All daycare facilities are limited to maximum of eight children unless they can configure the facility so that a maximum of eight children are kept in room and be in accordance with the Saskatchewan child care guidelines for care.
• All daycares that are co-located with a long-term care or personal care home that meet the above restriction shall be segregated with a private entrance so that there are no shared common areas with the home and no interaction between daycare children and residents of the facility.
COVID-19 Surveillance
As of March 20, 2020, Saskatchewan has six new, presumptive positive cases. The province now has 26 cases of COVID-19: eight cases are confirmed and 18 cases are presumptive.
Twenty-four of the 26 cases are well enough to self-isolate at home at present; two individuals are currently in hospital, admitted for medical reasons not related to respiratory illness.
• An individual in their 20s was tested in Regina following travel to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
• An individual in their 20s was tested in Regina following travel in the U.S.
• An individual in their 50s was tested in Regina following travel to Jordan.
• Two individuals in their 60s were tested in Prince Albert following travel from Arizona.
• An individual in their 60s was tested in Regina.
Public health is actively compiling additional information on this case; additional detail is not yet available.
Public health officials are completing contact investigations on all cases.
COVID-19 Information
Online Current information on self-isolation, personal protection measures and information for care providers is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19. Use the online symptom self assessment tool to determine if you should contact HealthLine 811.
Public inquiries may be directed to [email protected].
Membership Update – March 20, 2020
As we come to the end of the week, we know a few things for certain: we all need more information from our managers, government, workplace leaders (health care, education, retirement homes, group homes…the list goes on)!
Because of the State of Emergency declared by the Government of Saskatchewan, SEIU-West is giving our staff the option of working from home. We are available via phone, email, and video conferencing with any of our members and the Member Resource Center (MRC) is still available at 1-888-999-7348 ext. 2298.
SEIU-West is raising your issues on our daily calls with the other health care unions, the Ministry of Health and the Saskatchewan Health Authority. We have all identified our demand for access to PPE; stronger communication about the plans for this pandemic; concerns with moving staff to different locations; stronger oversight of manager decisions; working to only the most important human resources issues; options for working remotely; and, again, stronger communications on what is the plan and how its evolving.
We are also reaching out directly to employers in retirement homes, Extendicare Canada Inc., Canadian Blood Services, the education sector, and the Ministry of Education. All of us are looking for details about our work, our pay, our lives and this pandemic.
In talking with SEIU locals across the country and North America, this level of stress and anxiety regarding the COVID-19 pandemic is overwhelming us all. The lack of leadership is of great concern; the lack of access to personal protective equipment is causing all workers – not only in health care – to question the safety of their workplaces. We need to call on government to make sure that our workplaces are safe, that our jobs are secure and that we can continue to do our work without that fear hanging over our heads.
Even though we can’t be there in person, we are still working on your behalf and making sure that your issues are addressed. The world is moving pretty fast these days, but we are doing our best to keep up through technology.
Thank you for the incredible work and patience as we retool to get ourselves working in a different way during this pandemic. I am honored to be working for all of our members.
In Solidarity, on behalf of SEIU-West,
Barbara Cape, President