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:
Alzheimer Awareness Month - 2020
January is Alzheimer Awareness Month in Canada and this year, the Alzheimer Society Canada kicked off the second year of their awareness campaign—Yes. I live with dementia. Let me help you understand— to spark conversations and encourage Canadians to see dementia differently.
72% of all Canadians living with Alzheimer’s disease are women. This is because women live longer than men so there are more of them than men. Who are these women? They’re our mothers, wives, sisters, grandmothers, or friends – maybe even you.
Stigma is one of the biggest barriers for people with dementia to live fully with dignity and respect. When a person is diagnosed with dementia, they need the support of family and friends more than ever.
Do you think memory loss is the only warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias? That’s what most people believe but there are nine other signs which are often misunderstood or ignored. Recognizing the signs as soon as possible is critical for getting the treatment and support you need to live well with the disease and start planning for the future.
Check out the warning signs below.
For more useful information and resources to help you learn more and take action to end dementia stigma, check out ilivewithdementia.ca.
Win of the Week! January 12- January 18
MEMBER GETS DISCIPLINARY ACTION REMOVED FROM FILE
A member was recently suspended for a month due to a personal incident that had absolutely no bearing or impact on their job. SEIU-West intervened and the employer agreed to withdraw the disciplinary action and remove all reference to it from the members file. Rather, the employer offered support.
SEIU-West will always be in your corner, call the MRC (1.888.999.7348) for advice and clarification.
Join Pink Shirt Day 2020!
On the last Wednesday of February, SEIU-West members across this province demonstrate their willingness to tackle workplace bullying by participating in Pink Shirt Day.
Pink Shirt Day began after a young student was bullied for wearing pink to school so the next day, hundreds of students came to school wearing pink as an act of solidarity to stand against bullying. From there, Pink Shirt Day has grown to international fame.
Once again the very popular SEIU-West Anti-Bullying Pink Shirts are up for grabs and wearing pink on February 26, 2020 could win your unit or department a pizza party!
How to participate:
- Request pink shirts, email [email protected] – 2020 shirts are in limited supply (available sizes are: Small; Medium; Large; XL and 2XL), so be sure to request early!
- Wear pink shirts on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 – one of our 2020 SEIU-West pink shirts; one from a previous year if you have one; or one of your own.
- Take a picture of you and your coworkers wearing pink and send it to [email protected] or post it to our Facebook page. Don’t forget to tell us your workplace and/or department name!
Each participating department/unit will be entered to win a pizza party.
Stay tuned to our FB page for updates and to see who’s participating in 2020.
Apply to the CLC/SFL 2020 Spring School!
Apply to attend the 2020 CLC/SFL Spring School being held April 20th – 24th at Temple Gardens in Moose Jaw! The Education Committee will be sponsoring up to 6 delegates to attend. They will cover registration costs, lost wages, travel costs and meal expenses for those who are selected to attend.
Anyone interested in attending this school is asked to complete the SEIU-West Expression of Interest Application form either online or with our paper form.
Your completed Expression of Interest form must be received in our office on or before March 20, 2020 in order to allow us to complete the registration and selection process. In this brochure, you can determine what courses interest you most.
Forward your completed form to:
Colleen Denniss, Chair, Education Committee at #200 – 747 46th Street W, Saskatoon, SK S7L 6A1 or fax: 306-652-1392 or by email at [email protected]
Once delegates are chosen we will complete an online registration.
Delegates attending the school must submit a brief report to the SEIU-West Executive Board through the Education Committee Chair following the completion of the event. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this regard.
Related Documents:
Contest: Family Literacy Day
Every year, Saskatchewan communities celebrate Family Literacy Day on January 27, and in recognition, SEIU-West is excited to announce our annual Family Literacy Day Contest!
This year we want to know what everyone is reading right now, maybe some of you bookworms are already on your second book of 2020!
To enter, simply share with us what books you or your kids are currently reading, email [email protected] or post your picture to our Facebook page (www.fb.com/seiuwest) with #FamilyLiteracyDay2020 by January 27, 2020.
All participants’ names will be entered into a draw to win one of five gift cards for a bookstore.
Win of the Week! January 5- January 11
Member denied 3s Health Disability Benefits gets EI Sickness Benefits
A member was on medical leave in August 2019 but was recently denied 3s Health Disability Benefits and the member was left with absolutely no financial support. SEIU-West intervened and the member was successful in retroactively applying for EI Sickness Benefits.
Members should remember that when applying for Disability Benefits, they should also apply for EI Sickness Benefits and Canada Pension Disability Benefits. Also do not hesitate to call MRC for assistance or clarification. SEIU-West is always here for our members.
Committee Position: Political Action & Awareness
A position on our Political Action & Awareness Committee (PAAC) is currently vacant as a result of the resignation of a member.
The successful applicant will have the opportunity to expand their union involvement and activism in this position, and play an active role in making the connections for SEIU-West members as to why politics is important.
The remaining term for this position is for approximately one year and four months.
We are inviting interested members to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). You can submit online or by downloading the printable PDF file of the EOI and sending it in as described.
Once submitted, President Barbara Cape will work with the Top Officers and together they will make a recommendation to the Executive Board to appoint an eligible member to fill the vacancy for the remaining term.
If you or any of the member in your unit are interested in applying, please apply by Friday January 31, 2020.
As always, if you or your members have any questions please use our Contact form.
2019 - Year in Review
Another year has come and gone and it was a year filled with firsts and lasts, highs and lows, disappointments and triumphs. Take a trip down memory lane by clicking on the image below to relive 2019 with SEIU-West.
*** Important Note: In order to ‘touch’ or interact with the image below, you must click on the picture and access this site using Google Chrome or Safari – Internet Explorer will not work. Be sure to turn off your pop-ups as well.
Win of the Week! December 30 - January 3
MEMBER HELPS TRANSLATE FLYER
PROCats have been asking UCats to come out and engage with the community to talk about our chronic understaffing issues. We recently had a UCat who asked if she could work with us to translate our end understaffing flyer into Tagalog (a Filipino dialect). The Political Action and Education Department worked with her to get the flyer into her hands so she could continue the great work in reaching out to communities so that everyone is aware of the short staffing crisis in healthcare.
CAPE CHALLENGES MOE: Give SAHO the Authority & Resources to Make a Fair Deal
CAPE CHALLENGES MOE: Give SAHO the Authority & Resources to Make a Fair Deal
Win of the Week! December 22-28
Workers Granted Official Certification Order!
Back in May 2019, the organizing department of SEIU-West filed to certify the workers at Saskatoon Twin Charities-City Centre Bingo.
The union vote occurred and the ballot box was sealed pending the outcome of several disagreements between SEIU-West and the Employer.
On December 12, 2019, we received notice that the Employer’s Objection to the Conduct of the Vote was dismissed and that these workers were finally granted their official Certification Order! Our newest members voted in favour of joining SEIU-West and now they will begin to experience the benefits of certification!
A great first step in the journey towards securing a first collective agreement!
12 Days of Christmas Video
A twist on the classic "12 Days of Christmas", performed by members of SEIU-West! Remember to remind your provincial government to put care first and be fair to those who care. From all of us at SEIU-West, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!