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:
Celebrate Cardiology Technologist Day! 2020
Roses are red
Violets are blue
It’s Cardio Tech Day
Let’s show them love too!
SEIU-West is proud to acknowledge and celebrate our Cardiology Technologist members this February 14.
These health care professionals like our member Oksana who works at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon are on the front line working for the public every day.
Cardiology Technologists do the following (and so much more);
- test, monitor and assess heart performance;
- engage in difficult techniques of heart monitoring;
- ensure proper preparation for patients by explaining procedures;
- ensure patient comfort and safety during procedures; and
- provide resuscitation measures when needed.
Cardiology Technologists must also keep up to date and adapt to modernized technologies as they help to maintain health care equipment.
Watch our Cardio Tech day video to find out how Oksana’s passion for her job makes her a vital part of our public health care team.
Win of the Week! February 9- February 15
MEMBERS’ INCREMENT NOT IMPLEMENTED
A member’s increment was stuck at Step 1 after two and a half years of employment. The employer was challenged on this issue by SEIU-West and we succeeded in ensuring that the member was moved to Step 3 and received all their back pay (a substantial amount) as per the CBA.
Another great win for our member and SEIU-West!
Media Release: Canadian Blood Services Is Bleeding Us Dry!
For Immediate Release - February 13, 2020
Saskatoon – SEIU-West members and their supporters were sharing information with the public outside of the Hilton Garden Inn in Saskatoon this morning. This is where the annual Partners for Life Breakfast was being hosted by Canadian Blood Services (CBS). This event is intended as a recruitment effort to engage with donors.
Media Advisory: Information Picket – Members of SEIU-West working at Canadian Blood Services are 1,000 Days without a Collective Agreement
Saskatoon – SEIU-West members who work for Canadian Blood Services (CBS) will be sharing information with the early risers of Saskatoon during an information picket along the sidewalks outside the Hilton Garden Inn on Thursday February 13, 2020.
Apply to the SFL Prairie School for Union Women (PSUW)!
The Education Committee will be sponsoring up to six (6) delegates to attend the SFL Prairie School for Union Women in Waskesiu Lake, Saskatchewan from June 7-11, 2020. We will cover registration costs, lost wages, and meal expenses for those meals not provided at the school. For Saskatoon and area women (or those delegates that will be travelling through Saskatoon) there will be a chartered bus provided. Delegates from other areas of the province will be notified regarding car-pooling arrangements and in those cases, travel expenses will be covered.
Anyone interested in attending this school is asked to:
- Complete the online registration form here OR
- Complete this pdf SEIU-West Expression of Interest Application form
- Review the brochure for course selection here
Your completed Expression of Interest form must be received in our office on or before, April 2, 2020 in order to allow us to complete the registration and selection process. Unfortunately, if you have attended this school in the last 3 years, your application will not be considered unless there are extra spots due to low entries.
Forward your completed pdf forms to:
Colleen Denniss, Chair, Education Committee
#200 – 747 46th Street W., Saskatoon, SK S7L 6A1
Fax: 306-652-1392
Email: [email protected]
Delegates attending the school will be asked to submit a brief report to the SEIU-West Executive Board through the Education Committee Chairs following the completion of the event. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this regard.
Black History Month 2020
Going Forward, Guided by the Past: Black History Month 2020
Once again we’re celebrating Black History month! It is a time to celebrate and recognize the rich history and contribution that people of African descent have made in our society and also reflect on how we can combat racial inequalities.
The theme this year is ‘Canadians of African Descent: Going Forward, Guided by the Past.’ And this year’s Black History Month emblem, the Sankofa Bird, is derived from the word “Sankofa”, taken from the Twi language mainly spoken in Ghana, Africa. Sankofa is translated as “Go back and get it” and it is inspired by an ancient proverb that states “it is not taboo to fetch what is at risk of being left behind”. What this basically means is that we need to look back i.e. learn from the past, in order to move forward.
It is important to acknowledge the injustice that had been done to people of African descent in the past, so we can start the healing process and work on solutions for the issues of today. The federal and provincial government must also examine the negative impact its laws, policies and practices have black communities.
Join us this February in celebrating the many accomplishments of Canada’s community of people of people of African descent as we reflect on the past to build a successful and bright future.
There will be an event on Saturday the 15th of February at the Frances Morrison Central Library titled, Black History Month: Unity, Culture & Love.
It is presented in partnership with Government of Canada, City of Saskatoon, Faith Leaders Council (USask), Truly Alive Youth and Family Foundation Inc, Saskatoon Open Door Society, African Students Association, NSA University of Saskatchewan, USask International Students.
Come engage, learn and celebrate Black History month with cultural performances, vendors and a panel of speakers.
Join Purple Day February 13!
Send a Message on Purple Day!
Purple Days support our bargaining committee when they meet to negotiate with SAHO and the Employer.
Our bargaining committee will be meeting with SAHO on the 13th and 14th of February.
Tampon Tuesday 2020 - Collection Drive
In recognition of International Women’s Day on March 8, SEIU-West is participating in the Labour & United Way Partnership’s 4th Annual Tampon Tuesday collection drive.
Many people face a monthly challenge due to lack of access to, or affordability of, feminine hygiene products. Sometimes it's often a choice between food and sanitary products especially for the homeless. Some girls are missing school attendance due to inability to afford sanitary products.
We can do our part to help by getting our friends, family and colleagues and start a collection drive for much needed feminine hygiene products for those in our community.
That’s why each SEIU-West office is once again participating in Tampon Tuesday, a collection drive that provides SEIU-West members the opportunity to collect and support the provision of menstrual products to women in need.
For a chance to win a Hillberg & Berk 'Venus' pin, send us pictures of your collection.
Email [email protected] or post your picture to our Facebook page with #TamponTuesday2020 by March 10th, 2020.
WHEN: All SEIU-West Offices will be collecting products until March 10, 2019.
WHERE:
Saskatoon Drop-Off Location (items will be donated to the United Way Saskatoon and Area for distribution):
#200 – 747 46th Street West
Open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm
Moose Jaw Drop-Off Location (items will be donated to a local women’s shelter):
39 Athabasca Street West
Open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm
Swift Current Drop-Off Location (items will be donated to a local women’s shelter):
333 Central Avenue North
Open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm
You can also take up your own workplace tampon collection drive! Click to download the Collection Drive Registration form.
If you’re in Saskatoon, there is a special Tampon Tuesday event on March 10th as well – hope you can make it! Let’s end the stigma and work together to ensure access to menstrual products
Contest: Cardiology Technologist Day
SEIU-West is proud to acknowledge and celebrate February 14 as Cardiology Technologist Day and in recognition, we have tickets to give away to the heart pumping exciting Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Moose Jaw (tickets are for the 15th and 16th of February)!
For a chance to win these tickets, tell us what are 3 signs of a heart attack.
Email [email protected] or post your answer to our Facebook page with #CardioTechDay2020 by February 14th, 2020.
All participants’ names will be entered into a draw for the tickets.
Op-Ed: Public Health Care System Needs More Staff
For Immediate Release - February 7, 2020
Saskatchewan people take pride in our role as the pioneers of Medicare. But the public health care system we take for granted has reached a critical point.
Our population is growing and aging, with increasingly complex care needs. Our governments have not made the necessary investments to serve these growing needs. Federal health transfers have not kept pace, and provincial funding remains driven by the ongoing narrative of a tight fiscal budget.
This growing imbalance between needs and funding has become critically apparent on the front lines, in the form of understaffing.
As a quick fix for budget pressures, health managers are routinely leaving positions vacant when staff quit or retire, or not replacing staff who are on leave. They also refuse to add baseline staff to units whose numbers and needs have increased. The result: crushing workloads that put the health and safety of patients, clients, residents and health care workers at risk.
Urgent action is needed to fix this crisis. And the opportunity and responsibility to act belongs to all of us.
Win of the Week! February 2- February 8
SUCCESSFUL ANTI-BULLYING TRAINING
A successful anti-bullying training was held at Wadena from January 22-23 at the request of the employer.
Some attendees had the following comments;
“very important in the workplace”
“this was a very informative class”
“good class for self-reflection and more productivity in the workplace”
“it was an eye opener, it gave good options on how to deal with bullying”
“I think this was very good and informative, I learned so much about bullying and harassment”
As we celebrate Pink Shirt Day/Anti-Bullying on the 26th of February we should use that opportunity to start a dialogue to raise awareness of the issue.
Unionism 101: Apply Now!
Unionism 101 is designed for any member who has not taken any other union training. The course will touch on the basics of unions from where dues go to how members stay current on union activities – an introduction to the virtual bulletin board will be included. There will be a component that connects union principles with inclusivity and support for diversity. Social media, political action, social justice and collective bargaining will also be included. It is a beginner course for rank and file members who are not already Shop Stewards or Unit Officers. The goal is to reach everyday members and create an understanding of SEIU-West and what makes our union special. Apply now!
SEIU-West will cover the costs of 20 participants per session who will be selected with the goal of wide representation from all Units within our SEIU-West membership. Expenses will be reimbursed to a maximum of one day lost wages, as well as mileage.
Apply online by clicking the links below:
- Saskatoon - April 1, 2020 - online application
- Moose Jaw - April 6, 2020 - online application
- Swift Current - April 7, 2020 - online application
You can also register by mail or fax by clicking the pdf's below:
YOU MUST REGISTER BY February 27th - deadline extended for Moose Jaw and Swift Current! You now have until March 2, 2020. After the deadline, be notified whether you’re accepted to attend in order to book union leave.