Elmview, Moose Jaw, Parkside, Preston, and Sunset Extendicare Facilities
PLEASE NOTE:
New pay rates are effective April 17, 2022.
Pinned
Regina & District Labour Council Awards Banquet and AGM
SEIU-West is pleased to sponsor up to 3 members to attend the Regina & District Labour Council's 2022 Awards Banquet and Annual General Meeting June 24-25, 2022.
If you would like to attend, your completed Expression of Interest form must be received in our office on or before May 2, 2022 in order to allow us to complete the selection process.
SEIU-West will cover the cost of lost wages, meals, mileage and/or honoraria as applicable for the successful delegates.
Update to Members: March 25, 2022
Dear Members of SEIU-West:
In an effort to keep you all up-to-date on the recent cyber-attack affecting SEIU-West that we first reported to you on March 11, 2022 and updated you on March 15, 2022, we want to provide a further update on where we’re at with this situation.
Update to Members: March 15, 2022
Dear members of SEIU-West:
We are writing you with an important update related to the recent cyber-attack affecting SEIU-West that we first reported to you late last week on March 11, 2022. We promised to provide you with further updates as more information became available.
Here is what we’ve learned to date:
Notice to Members: March 11, 2022
Dear member of SEIU-West:
We are writing to you with important information about a recent cyber-attack affecting SEIU-West. SEIU-West became aware of this cyber-attack on March, 10 2022, which is believed to have occurred early in the morning of March 10, 2022.
Extendicare Canada Inc. (ECI) Bargaining Update No. 7
Date: March 7, 2022
Greetings Brothers and Sisters who work at Extendicare Canada’s Elmview, Preston, Moose Jaw, Parkside, and Sunset facilities:
We wanted to update you regarding the implementation of the new collective agreement you approved in January, as well as regarding the transfer of these facilities to the SHA.
SAHO/SEIU-West Bargaining Bulletin (2nd Edition) No. 24
Date: March 4, 2022
Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
At long last, we can confirm that our collective agreement is finalized and at the printer!
Why the heck did it take so long? Even though we had agreed to and ratified Memorandums of Agreement “A” and “B”, there were issues with the way certain parts were written by the Employer and SAHO that had to be resolved. There were edits and grammatical corrections that we had to fix and ensure that the document was legally and grammatically sound before we could ship it to the printer. Then there was the changes that needed to be made as a result of combining the two Memorandums of Agreement into one CBA.
The first copies of the CBA are being printed now, and the printer has offered to schedule distribution to our three offices. This is a large document that will take time to print and bind. We anticipate having hard copies available mid-March which we will arrange to be delivered to your facilities for distribution by your unit executive.
While you wait for a hard copy, you can find the PDF of the collective agreement and related updates on the SAHO page: https://bit.ly/3pA9mW2.
If your unit doesn’t have a unit executive, reach out to the Member Resource Center at 1-888-999-7348 Ext 2298 or email us at [email protected] or use the contact form on the website so we can talk to you about taking on the role of communicator, shop steward or unit chair so that we can continue to build and strengthen our union!
Media Release: Health Care Provider Unions Denounce Premier Scott Moe's Move to Extend Emergency Order
February 25, 2022
For Immediate Release
The Saskatchewan government’s extension of the provincial emergency order demonstrates how deeply out of touch they are with the reality facing health care workers, according to CUPE 5430, SEIU-West and SGEU who represent Saskatchewan health care providers around the province.
Federal Funding for Health Needs Stronger Conditions Provinces Must Meet
Open Letter to Premier Moe: Saskatchewan's Frontline Workers Call on Government to Protect Vital Services
On January 20, 2022 SEIU-West, the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL), the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation (STF), the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN), SGEU and CUPE Saskatchewan joined together to call on the Government of Saskatchewan to protect our healthcare and education systems and other vital public services from the Omicron wave by immediately following the advice of Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab. The presidents of these six organizations held an unprecedented joint news conference. Today, the joint open letter below was sent to Premier Scott Moe, calling for a a public health order to:
- Limit gathering sizes to a maximum of 10 people.
- Limit the frequency of gathering and establish a consistent “bubble” of close contacts.
- Limit non-school and non-work contacts.
- Limit non-essential travel between communities.
Extendicare Canada Inc. (ECI) Bargaining Update No. 6
Date: January 6, 2022
Greetings Brothers and Sisters:
The SEIU-West members who work at Extendicare Canada’s Elmview, Preston, Moose Jaw, Parkside, and Sunset facilities have voted in favour of the tentative agreement by 85.6%.
November 15, 2021 Update: SHA Proof of Vaccination Policy
SEIU-West and other unions asked the following questions.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) provided the responses.
This document simply communicates the responses of the SHA, and is in no way to be taken that SEIU-West agrees with or endorses the SHA responses.
SEIU-West Guidance On Non-SHA Employer Policies Re Proof Of Covid-19 Vaccination
SEIU-WEST GUIDANCE ON NON-SHA EMPLOYER POLICIES RE PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION
November 12, 2021
On October 1, 2021, the Saskatchewan Government authorized all employers to require that their employees prove that either:
- They are fully-vaccinated against COVID; or
- Have had a recent negative COVID test.
SEIU-West’s responsibility as a union is to represent our membership’s rights, in a manner free from arbitrariness, bias or unreasonableness.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic SEIU-West has worked to address our members’ pandemic-related questions, needs, and concerns. We’ve made employers, the government and the public take notice of the vital service you’ve provided throughout the pandemic. We’ve fought to ensure you have access to appropriate personal protective equipment and mental health supports.
While the healthcare sector (Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and affiliates) has been a focus (see for example our guidance on SHA COVID vaccination policies here) we want to make clear that we also continue to represent the interests of our members in education, retirement homes, community based organizations (CBOs), light industrial and allied sectors.
The following is meant as general guidance about employer vaccination policies for SEIU-West members working for non-SHA employers. It is based on questions we have received from members, our review of employer policies, and relevant legal authorities. We will update this document if and when we receive further information. Because the details and application of an employer’s COVID vaccination policy vary from one employer to another, please contact the Member Resource Centre (MRC) at 1-888-999-7348 Ext 2298 or [email protected] if you have specific questions.
Win of the Week! May 20 – 26
For this week, SEIU-West wants to acknowledge our amazing members who entered their game slogans to win tickets to the RUSH home game on May 26th. We had many entries and it was hard to pick the best two. In the spirit of #purplehasfun, this shows just how creative and entertaining our members can be!
The two winning slogans are:
You can look North, South, East, but we who belong to SEIU-West know that the RUSH are the best!!!!!!
Let’s go purple! Let’s go green! Let’s stand together! Let’s make a scene!
Runner up slogans from our members:
We’re purple, they’re green and together you’ll hear us scream!
In the SEIU-West, the RUSH are the Best!
Don’t RUSH our union, it’s the best! Gooooo SEIU-West!
SEIU-West, RUSHes to the Rescue!
I get a RUSH when I hear SEIU-West!
SEIU-West will never RUSH for a fair contract!
Thank you everyone for participating in our ticket give-away!
If you don’t want to miss out on our contests and updates, remember to sign up for our text messaging alerts by texting the words SEIU to the number 52267!
Win of the Week! May 13-19
SEIU-West wants to acknowledge the incredible efforts members have taken to demand quality health care in Saskatchewan. They’ve met with, called, and written their MLAs while also encouraging their communities to do so. Over 1400 SEIU-West and community members signed and collected postcards that were delivered to the Minister of Finance on May 11, and more still are being collected! These postcards have a message to the Minister of Finance – stop the rollbacks and cuts to our public health care services! Members are organizing meetings, rallies, and building relationships with community members and organizations who understand the need to act. Your actions are making a difference – together, we can stop the cuts and ensure our health care is properly staffed and prioritized. We’re stronger together!
MEDIA RELEASE: Properly Funded Health Care, Wish You Were Here
Properly Funded Health Care, Wish You Were Here…
Win of the Week! May 6-12
SEIU-West recently held Technical Course on Investigations & Progressive Discipline courses for member leaders who currently hold unit positions. This advanced course was designed and facilitated by SEIU-West representatives who worked alongside our trained member-facilitators who ensured the material was delivered well. Last week, we held two courses in Saskatoon and this week we’re hosting the course in both Swift Current and Moose Jaw! We’ve received rave reviews from the attendees – hear what some members had to say:
Some of our course participants!
“I was impressed with the practical scenarios to work through throughout the day.”
“This was an excellent course loaded with helpful information!”
“It was very enlightening and educational. I will walk away today with a better understanding of the proper procedures.”
We are delighted to hear that our member leaders are all the more prepared to effectively represent their coworkers in the workplace.
President’s Message: Recognize & Celebrate Nursing Week
President’s Message: Recognize & Celebrate Nursing Week
Win of the Week! April 29 – May 5
In a recent labour board decision, SEIU-West demonstrated our commitment to due process and fair representation of our membership – SEIU-West is proud of our history which includes our devotion to fair process that is accessible for all and our due diligence as we work to meet the responsibility of member representation.
Resilience and Women: Elmwood Group Homes Support Workers
Resilience and Women: Elmwood Group Homes Support Workers
Joint Health Provider Bargaining Update from SEIU-West, SGEU, and CUPE: April 27
Your SGEU, SEIU-West, and CUPE health care bargaining committees met with SAHO on April 24 and 25 in Regina to continue our work to achieve a fair and equitable collective agreement for our members.
This was an epic session as we finished our last meeting at April 26 at 1:30 am. The bargaining committee members remain committed to ensuring that your rights and benefits remain intact as we move through the transition of the new Saskatchewan Health Authority. Our work is complicated by the fact that two of SAHO’s lead negotiators are retiring at the end of April, and we do not know who will take over bargaining.
Since the April 10 provincial budget announcement, we have seen a number of initiatives introduced that affect our members in a most direct way. Government and the employer say they are ‘works in progress’ as we don’t have much information at this time.
Some regional IT services are going to be transferred to eHealth. While the SHA doesn’t have much direct and clear information, your unions are committed to ensuring that we see our members treated fairly in this transfer and that IT members receive recognition for their skill, rights and benefits under their collective agreements. We will be meeting with SHA and eHealth to demand basic information such as how many employees will be affected; what classifications will be transferred; and what the transfer process will look like.
The SHA also announced a province-wide review of security services. We are aware that numerous reviews have been previously conducted, on both a regional and facility perspective, but never acted upon. We are cautious about the anticipated outcomes of this review and have reached out to our partners and allies in other areas and provinces who’ve been subjected to a security service review. We support our security officers throughout the province in making sure their voices, experiences and advice are taken into account in the planning of a seamless security service in rural and urban settings.
Our bargaining session saw us exchange a number of proposals that reinforced to the Employers that our Extended Health and Enhanced Dental (EHD) plan is a valued benefit and source of pride for our members. The provider unions have worked to ensure the financial health of the plan and quality of benefits for our members and we are not willing to jeopardize the plan we worked so hard to get. SAHO and the Government of Saskatchewan want to use the surplus that the plan has earned to reduce their amount of contributions to the plan, but they do not want to commit to maintaining the current status of the plan once those funds are depleted. The provider unions insist the plan be administered solely for the benefit of YOU as the beneficiaries.
We believe we have made significant progress regarding language to work together to address recruitment and retention issues in all of our classifications and facilities; we have an agreement in principle on interpersonal violence leave provisions that will see access to other paid leaves in our collective agreements; we are close to finalizing a specific process to identify and resolve workload issues for our members and provisions for electronic callback (specific to CUPE).
Issues still outstanding are the creation of a steering committee to establish a proper joint trusteeship over all of our benefit plans; joint recruitment and retention initiatives for employees; and a moratorium on changing bargaining unit structures. This last item is of benefit to our members so that we can work to implement this agreement and build a bargaining association that will guide our provincial work together. And, of course, other issues that have not been resolved include negotiations over monetary provisions regarding professional fees, the status of funding for our EHD plan; and general wage increases.
We have offered dates for further bargaining in May.
As we approach the National Day of Mourning on April 28, for workers who have been killed or injured on the job, we ask you to pause and remember to work safely, recognize when your colleagues may be struggling with a workplace injury and encourage your co-workers to work in a manner that allows them to return home safely and soundly.
In Solidarity,
SEIU-WEST, SGEU, and CUPE Bargaining Committees
SFL: Youth Activity Coordinator (YAC) Application
SFL: Youth Activity Coordinator (YAC) Application
Win of the Week! April 22-28
After 4 years of delays, SEIU-West has resolved a long outstanding grievance for one of our health care members. Their Employer implemented a multi-site position without first negotiating with the SEIU-West as per our collective agreement, which resulted in a large number of missed shifts for our member. A compensation agreement was just reached to the delight of our member. Way to go!
Provincial Budget: Moe of the Same
Provincial Budget: Moe of the Same
Win of the Week! April 15-21
Another member successfully received their disability claim after SEIU-West fought diligently and helped ensure this member achieved fairness. We’re stronger together!