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:
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
Workload Tracking Forms: Why Do We Fill Them out?
Click here to download a printable PDF file of Workload Tracking Forms: Why Do We Fill Them out?
A safe workplace with balanced workloads allows SEIU-West members to provide the best possible services to patients/clients/residents/students (P/C/R/S).
The SEIU-West Workload Tracking form has been developed for SEIU-West members to report workload issues that hinder the provision of safe quality services to P/C/R/S.
To resolve workload issues successfully, we need you and members of your department to fill this report out whenever a workload problem arises in the workplace.
WHY?
Workload data collection provides physical evidence – we use this evidence to meet with employers, government representatives, and for consultations and/or submissions.
This data is also useful to back up our claims in Occupational Health Committee (OHC) meetings in order to resolve workload issues.
One form per incident is recommended.
When working short, we advise that you also fill out an OH&S Workplace Incident report.
How to report a workload issue:
- Discuss your workload concerns with your supervisor. If concerns are resolved communicate to all members in your department.
- If your concerns are not resolved, fill-out the online or paper Workload Tracking form.
- Ensure your working short incident is always reported to the Occupational Health Committee (OHC).
SEIU-West Workload Tracking forms can be submitted online or by fax.
Click here for ways to fill out and submit an SEIU-West Workload Tracking form or ask your Unit Chair for a copy of the form
WIN OF THE WEEK! NOVEMBER 3 - 9
A member who works in the education sector was on an approved disability claim. After two years he was denied his disability benefits. Since October 2018, he went without any benefits. The Union submitted an appeal on his behalf and it was successful. The members’ benefits have now been reinstated and he was paid retroactive benefits for the past year. A win for the member, a win for us all.
JUSTIN - MAINTENANCE WORKER AT THE METIS ADDICTION COUNCIL OF SASKATCHEWAN
Remembrance Day and the Workplace
Since 1919, Canadians across the country have gathered at commemorative ceremonies to observe a moment of silence at the 11th hour of the 11th the day of the 11th month to honor members of our armed forces who have died in the line of duty.
An Act to amend the Holidays Act (Remembrance Day), known as Bill C-311, received royal assent on March 1, 2018 making Remembrance Day a legal holiday throughout Canada.
However, it has yet to be recognized as a statutory holiday in every province.
Due to the distribution of legislative powers in Canada, the provinces and territories determine which days are public holidays for the vast majority of employees.
While some employers in those provinces where it is not a statutory holiday choose to give their employees Remembrance Day off, they are not required to do so.
In Manitoba, employers are not required to pay employees who do not work on Remembrance Day.
According to the Nova Scotia government, employees who work on the holiday will be entitled to receive another day off with pay agreed upon between the employee and the employer.
As for Ontario and Quebec, Remembrance Day is not recognized as a statutory holiday but some employers give employees time off.
Rest assured, SEIU-West and the Labour movement will keep fighting to ensure that ALL workers across Canada will be able to observe this important holiday.
For more information on this, click here and here.
Media Release: Moose Jaw: Let's put Care First and End Understaffing!
For Immediate Release - November 7, 2019
Moose Jaw – SEIU-West members were talking to the public outside of Moose Jaw City Hall today to discuss the day to day challenges they face in the health care sector.
Media Advisory: Put Care First – Info Picket
For Immediate Release - November 6, 2019
Moose Jaw – SEIU-West members and their supporters will be sharing information with the public at Moose Jaw City Hall on November 7, 2019.