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:
YWCA Saskatoon: Bargaining Update No. 3
Saskatoon, December 12, 2019
Click here to download a printable PDF file of YWCA Saskatoon: Bargaining Update No. 3
Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
Our last update indicated the Union and the Employer reached an impasse in bargaining in the summer of 2019, after the membership voted to reject the Employer’s last offer of a 1.5% wage increase effective July 1, 2019, with no provision for retroactive pay.
Win of the Week! December 8-14
Members Seniority Re-Instated after SEIU-West Files Grievance
A member had all of their 18 years of seniority removed from the recent seniority list. The Employer did not respond when member advised them of the situation. A grievance was filed and the Employer corrected the seniority list right after receiving the grievance. This is a good reminder to not be silent. Speak up! You have the strength of SEIU-West behind you!
President's Message - Vote December 11
Fact Check: Hands On Care
FACT CHECK
Letter: Resource Commitments: November 20 and 27, 2019
Win of the Week! December 1 - 7
Member Awarded Position Denied due to Pregnancy
An Employer denied a member from taking a temp position because the member was pregnant and expecting in January. This employer had a past practice – if a pregnant employee couldn’t work 50% of the temp, they would not be awarded the position. Prior to filing a grievance, the Union raised both discriminatory action and Human Rights issue as arguments for the employer to stop this action. The employer agreed and awarded the position to the expectant mom – what a great win!
The Future is Accessible: International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2019
The United Nations has established each December 3rd as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). The theme 2019 is The Future is Accessible. IDPD is a day intended, “to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.”
SEIU-West is committed to ensure that people with disabilities do not face exclusion and discrimination. Ensuring inclusion empowers them to fully participate and contribute to society. We must all do our part in removing those barriers so those with disabilities can lead full and productive lives.
On December 2, front line workers Community-Based Organization (CBO) workers representing SEIU-West, SGEU and CUPE, were at the Saskatchewan Legislature to present petitions calling for multi-year funding in their sector – read more here.
CBOs are non-profit groups that work at a local level to help improve life for residents by providing vital services to some of the most vulnerable people in our society including providing support for the disabled. – watch this video to find out more about CBOs.
There are limited resources for people with disabilities as it is and CBO’s are currently one of the few available to them. CBO’s often work to develop innovative solutions on a very restricted budget and to ensure that they continue with their service, find out more about these Sask People Who Care.
Media Release: CBO workers submit petitions to government, calling for multi-year funding for Community-Based Organizations
President's Message - Put Care First!
Sisters and Brothers,
Your Provincial Contract Action Team (ProCAT) is looking to ramp up our efforts to demand fairness and safety in health care.
We’ll be looking to our members to help ensure their communities are aware of the severe understaffing happening in health care.
A fair contract would definitely help.
If you are interested in setting up a Put Care first end understaffing event (i.e. info picket, leafleting, etc.) in your community, reach out to your ProCAT member or use the event request form to let us know.
We will provide the resources such as leaflets, necessary funding, checklists, etc. but it is vital to have a local unit members engaged and involved.
We all have to work together to keep up the pressure so we can successfully resolve this collective agreement.
Please remember to show your support for our bargaining efforts. You can contact the Minister of Finance, Donna Harpauer (306) 787-6060 OR [email protected]; the Minister of Health, Jim Reiter (306) 787-7345 OR [email protected]; the new Minister of Rural and Remote Health, Warren Kaeding (306) 798-9014 OR [email protected]; or your very own MLA. Explain to them the need for a fair offer; and how an adequate monetary package is necessary to recruit and retain quality staff. You can also send a letter to your MLA with a simply click on our www.EndUnderstaffing.ca campaign. If you would like some assistance, call the MRC at 1-888-999-7348 extension 1 and an officer will put you in contact with someone who will help you.
Remember we’re all in this together!
Please keep an eye on the SEIU-West website and your union bulletin board. And follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for information updates.
In solidarity,
Barbara Cape, SEIU-West President
Young Workers Committee Vacancy: Apply Now!
A vacancy has arisen on the SEIU-West Young Workers Committee so we are inviting interested members to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form to fill this vacancy.
The successful applicants will have the opportunity to expand their union involvement and activism in this position, and play an active role in engaging young workers into our union.
If you are interested in applying, please complete this online form or this pdf EOI form and submit it to Barb Cape’s attention by Monday, January 13, 2019 via email: [email protected] or fax: 306 652 1392.
Win of the Week! November 24 - 30
SEIU-West helps member that was passed over despite seniority
A member who works as a casual housekeeper was denied a posted position they were qualified for and found out that a less senior person was awarded the position. Their Unit Chair and Rep met with employer. The employer argued that this person wasn’t senior because of the last seniority list but the Rep insisted that the employer look at day of seniority and based on that, the employer agreed to give the position to the member who brought forward the issue. It was a win that the employer listened as we described the problem and agreed to fix it.