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:
Fact Check: Staff Compensation
FACT CHECK
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women: The SEIU-West Young Workers Committee (YWC) wants you to take action to stop violence against women
December 6th – the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women – is meant to mark the anniversary of the murders in 1989 of 14 young women at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal who were killed because they were women. December 6 acts as a day to recognize and stop the ongoing gender-based violence women experience in Canada, and to ensure awareness and progress towards concrete solutions in eliminating violence against women.
In recognition of the National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women in Canada, the SEIU-West YWC encourages you to do your part in raising awareness on violence against women and to demonstrate your solidarity for those who provide support to women in need. You can do that by participating in their contest – plus you could win one of three pairs of earrings from Hillberg & Berk; proceeds of which go to survivors of domestic violence in Saskatchewan. There are two chances to be entered to win:
- Send picture of yourself or a group of SEIU-West members wearing red on December 6th by email to [email protected]
- Donate to your local woman’s shelter – you can take a picture of your donated items and email [email protected] or bring donated items to your local SEIU-West office in Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, or Swift Current!
The deadline to enter is December 14, 2019!
For a list of requested items for women's shelters, visit the Moose Jaw Transition House donations list, the Saskatoon Interval House donations list, and the South West Crisis Services website.
Celebrate National Home Care Month!
November is National Home Care Month!
SEIU-West would like to celebrate all our valued Home Care members who work really hard to ensure that their clients are well taken care of every day.
With an aging population and crowded hospitals, adequate home care is now a vital health care service.
Home care provides assistance which allows people to continue to live safely and independently in their homes; and recover from medical procedures at home.
Home care requires trust.
Health care providers who work in home care assist people with their most intimate care requirements including but not limited to: meal preparation, personal grooming, assisting with medications, and observation or ongoing assessment.
Unfortunately, stagnant wages, a lack of guaranteed hours and dangerous workloads in the sector have led people to leave for other jobs.
Add to that the rising cost of education and it makes it difficult to attract new people.
To all our SEIU-West Home Care Health Care Providers, we thank you for all you do particularly in light of the limited resources you have.
Tell the government to be fair to those who care; as our elected leaders they need to do more to ensure that people get the home care services they need. Our public health care sector needs to be fully funded and staffed to meet the needs of Saskatchewan’s growing population. Send your letter today at EndUnderstaffing.ca.
Letter: Resource Commitment - Minister of Health, Jim Reiter November 20, 2019
Fact Check: Wage Comparisons
FACT CHECK
Win of the Week! November 17 - 23
SEIU-West Education Program Helps Tackle Bullying and Harassment in the Work Place!
SEIU-West has an extensive education program designed for member needs. Recently, we received thanks from a workplace that participated in our Anti-Bullying and Harassment course because since the course, there has been a noticeable and positive shift in the workplace culture. We are proud to see the results of our educational programs result in a constructive impact – way to go!
Retiree Committee Vacancy
The Retiree committee is seeking former SEIU-West members who are interested in maintaining their Union activities to fill out the remaining spaces available on the SEIU-West Retiree Committee.
You can submit your Committee Expression of Interest (EOI) form online or print, fill out and return in person or by fax. Please forward your EOI form to Janice Platzke; she will work with the Top Officers who will make recommendations to the Executive Board to appoint eligible SEIU-West Retirees to fill the vacancies.
The successful applicant will have the opportunity to continue their union involvement and activism.
If you are a recent retiree or know someone who has recently retired from your unit who might be interested in applying, submit your EOI to Janice Platzke's attention by Thursday, December 5, 2019.
In the meantime, if you or your members have any questions please feel free to contact Janice at (306) 773-2536 (ext. 8732) or email [email protected].
Universal Children's Day 2019
November 20 is Universal Children’s Day!
This Universal Children’s day is extra special because it marks the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This legal framework states that children are not just objects who belong to their parents and for whom decisions are made, or adults in training. Rather, they are human beings and individuals with their own rights. Also children must be allowed to grow, learn, play, develop and flourish with dignity.
SEIU-West celebrates all children because we are fighting for their future.
As adults who are their mentors and guides, we need to ask ourselves how much have we invested in their future? What are we doing to safeguard a livable planet for them? What are we doing to ensure that when they grow up they would be guaranteed a livable wage and safe working conditions?
It’s our job to hold ourselves and the government accountable now to secure our children’s future.
Let’s promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children's welfare.
Check out this inspiring video:
Media Release: Put Care First: Tough Questions for the Health Minister
For Immediate Release - November 20, 2019
Regina – SEIU-West members will be on hand for question period today at the Saskatchewan Provincial Legislature to hear responses from the SaskParty government on health care questions from the New Democratic Party of Saskatchewan.
Win of the Week! November 10 - 16
SEIU-West helps Member win Disability Income Benefits Claim!
An SEIU-West member from the health care sector was unable to work due to a disability. In June 2017, the disability application for benefits was denied and resulted in no income and benefits from 2017 until 2019. The decision was challenged by the member and they were provided representation and assistance by SEIU-West.
This November, the claim was won and the member was awarded full back pay!
You might be wondering why this claim took so long to resolve? The answer is, this claim had to go through several levels of appeal. But SEIU-West was by this members side every step of the way and the claim was won at final adjudication.
SEIU-West works hard to ensure that every member is fairly represented!
Addiction Recovery is not a race- Addiction Awareness Week 2019
Millions of Canadians struggle daily with addiction.
Developing an addiction is not a character flaw, nor is it a sign of weakness. Addiction to certain substances can actually cause changes to the brain which might make sobriety seem impossible. It takes more than willpower to overcome addiction. With the right treatment and support, recovery is possible.
The dedication and hard work of SEIU-West members in the Health Care and the Community-Based Organization sectors help make it possible for people struggling with addiction to take that little step forward every day.
One such individual is Justin, a maintenance worker, at the Métis Addictions Council of Saskatchewan (MACSI) in Prince Albert. Read more about his role as a part of the Community Based Organization (CBO) sector team.
This National Addictions Awareness Week (NAAW), SEIU-West would like to bring attention to the millions who struggle with addiction every day.
- Addiction affects all walks of life
- Recovery is achievable and possible
- Choose your words wisely – words matter
- The cost affects us all
Call Healthline at 811 for professional health or mental health and addictions advice, education and support. It’s free confidential and open 24/7.
For more information visit: Canadian Center on Substance Use and Abuse and 211 Saskatchewan.
Canadian Blood Services: Bargaining Bulletin No. 2
Saskatoon, November 12, 2019
Click here to download a printable PDF file of Canadian Blood Services: Bargaining Update No.2