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:
Member Story: Humboldt Strong
By Teegan Hunter, Security Officer
I’ve been a Security Officer for the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) since September 2017. Our team handles over 1,000 calls a month at the four Saskatoon facilities where we’re stationed—including more than 700 calls a month at Royal University Hospital (RUH).
Being a Security Officer in the health care sector has many rewards and challenges. Each day brings new and different situations, and you have to adjust the services you provide while always remaining positive. April 6th, 2018 changed the lives of many forever.
The Humboldt Broncos tragedy impacted families, communities, the health sector, and the entire hockey world. Here is my story about my experiences as a Security Officer during this very difficult time.
I was first notified about the bus crash on the evening of April 6th. My heart instantly fell ill as I learned of the seriousness of the accident and the extent of the casualties. I didn’t know what to think—all I wanted to do was help. The next morning I arrived at RUH for my scheduled 7:00 shift. The emotion lay heavy in that large building. Green and yellow displays of support had already
begun forming in the hallways. While sitting at our post in the Emergency Department I saw a young man with blonde hair—one of the players--visibly injured but up and walking. He walked over to use the phone, and seeing me looking at him he did something which would change my entire day: he smiled.
I thought to myself – how unbelievable, how are you smiling on a day like today?
This small gesture was one of the first of many signs I saw of what a remarkable hockey organization the Humboldt Broncos are.
Around this time, local support began pouring in. The Saskatoon Police Chief, Troy Cooper, and some of his fellow officers arrived in full uniform to pay their respects. I thanked them, shook their hands and took them back to our ICU waiting area. The reality of what had happened was really starting to become clear. Very quickly, the media presence in and around the facility grew. This was challenging, because the SHA takes patient confidentiality and safety very seriously. I became stationed in the hallway outside our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Coronary Care Unit (CCU). My original duty was to ensure that families, friends, players, and organization staff had privacy during this very raw and difficult time. However, my duties very quickly widened as I began to spend time with these families and loved ones.
In the first week after the accident I handed out thousands of visitor tags—there were people everywhere. Donations and messages began pouring in from all over the country and beyond: food, gifts, gift cards, and notes from anonymous people offering to help however they could. The world was starting to come together. We were visited by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his team, players and representatives from numerous NHL teams, Don Cherry and Ron McLean, Hayley Wickenheiser, and singer Paul Brandt. Their support truly brightened everyone’s day.
My days quickly changed from being in a rotation with my team to immersing myself for 12-14 hours a day with the affected families. As I met more friends, hugged more billets, and held more parents I just naturally became very protective of everyone down there. I feel so honoured and blessed to have been able to offer my services to these amazing, strong individuals. These
people, who were living through the worst moments of their lives, who may have lost a loved one, often asked me how I was doing, if I was doing okay. This shows just the type of people the Broncos community are. I received a Humboldt Broncos bunny hug and a hockey stick from one of the player’s parents. I will never forget that nor will I ever part with them. That stick is on the bench with my hockey team at every game and hangs in our dressing room. As I sit and write this, almost five months after the tragedy, it still brings tears to my eyes. I cannot begin to explain how truly thankful I am to have met every single one of these people. Doing my job in the midst of this tragedy was the hardest thing I have ever had to do, but these have been the most rewarding moments of my life. Growing up as an athlete, playing competitive hockey for 18 years as well as American college softball, this tragedy rocked me to my core. Your team is your everything. Your fans, your families, your billets – it’s one big, tight knit family and you build those core team relationships on your travel bus. In 2012, I experienced an accident in Nebraska when our sister school bus was broad sided. This experience was something I leaned on mentally to help me adjust accordingly and attempt to give these Broncos’ families, billets, players and friends a little extra effort in finding out what they needed. There are so many people I want to salute and thank for the vital roles they played during this crisis:
- the families, friends, billets and players for allowing me to go on this journey with them and trust me to stand tall for them. You have changed my life and I will forever hold the Broncos in my heart.
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and everyone who came to show their support. I saw firsthand how much your support and positivity meant to everyone. A glimmer of hope shone every time a visitor arrived.
- the elementary schools who wrote prayers or made wreaths for each player. As the one delivering them, I saw the bright and thankful smiles these gifts brought.
- the people who provided spiritual support. You made yourselves and your prayers available to everyone without forcing yourselves on anyone.
- the makers of the Broncos blankets. I can tell you the staff all enjoy them and it’s very comforting to be wrapped up in one.
- the medical staff, who provided consistently excellent care when faced with stress and emotion like they had never seen before
- EMS, STARS and first responders at the scene: you saved many lives due to great training, teamwork, and compassion.
And last, to my fellow security officers, for offering your hand out in support to me during this time. Knowing I had a team I could talk to and lean on if needed meant a lot to me. People ask, how do you add to the health care team? I have always known our value, but now I know in my heart, that as security, in times of crisis and tragedy we are willing and able to meet the challenge. We are all Bronco strong!
Win of the Week! September 30-October 6
This week, member leaders from across the province gathered to learn, engage and empower one another at our 'Leadership Conference: Building Strong Leaders.' Ten years ago, three SEIU Locals in Saskatchewan became a powerful force, now SEIU-West. We gathered to celebrate our successes over the past ten years and recommit our goal of improving the lives of communities for many more years to come. We know there's a lot of work ahead, but we're ready to face the challenges because we know, we're Stronger Together!
Win of the Week! September 23-29
Over the past two weeks SEIU-West held a new course named “Technical Course Level II: Investigations and Grievance Process” where experienced Shop Stewards and their Union Representatives gathered to learn and empower one another. During this course, the grievance process was clarified through comprehensive examination of real grievance files. Participants learned the life cycle of a grievance file, and all internal process aspects driving that cycle. Members gained knowledge around the applicable documents, and gained an in-depth understanding of the link between representation and documentation with regard to formal grievances. After taking this course, participants are better prepared to process grievances, and to advise members on that process, at the shop-floor level. SEIU-West knows that knowledge is power, and we’re so proud of our members for utilizing that knowledge on the shop floor!
Win of the Week! September 16-22
This week, SEIU-West was proud to graduate an awesome group of members who will introduce their union to brand new members during New Member Orientation at their new places of work. Our graduates have excellent presentation skills and passion to ensure new members to SEIU-West are proud and excited to engage with their new union. It's been another great week thanks to the solidarity and strength of our members!
Joint Bargaining Update: Coalition Unions Continue to Press SAHO for Fair Contract
September 17, 2018
We hope all of you had an enjoyable summer and were able to spend some time relaxing and enjoying the warm weather with family and friends.
Celebrate Therapy Assistants Week!
SEIU-West is excited to share in the celebration of Therapy Assistants Week from September 17-23, 2018!
In SEIU-West, the members who work as Therapy Assistants are classified as Occupational Therapy Assistants and/or Physiotherapy Assistants. Their work is invaluable to the success of improved health.
Therapy Assistants assist patients, residents, and clients (PRC’s) in their aim of increasing physical movement. By improving physical health, PRC’s are better able to expand their day-to-day activities. They also assist in the PRC’s mental state as enhanced mobility helps increase the self-confidence of those requiring care. In this sense, Therapy Assistants help rehabilitate PRCs to their fullest potential.
In recognition of Therapy Assistants Week we encourage all members of SEIU-West to complete this sentence by filling in the blank:
“Therapy Assistants are vital to the health care team because _____________.”
Get your answers in by September 23, 2018! Just email [email protected]
Win of the Week! September 9-15
SEIU-West is thrilled to announce our newest bargaining unit, the Town of Herbert, has ratified their first collective agreement with 100% turnout and 100% support! In an environment where employers and government continue to push rollbacks, SEIU-West successfully bargained general wage increases of 2% the first two years, and 1.5% in the third year. Some other highlights include:
- standby and call back language,
- the ability to bank overtime at time and a half
- better than vacation entitlements
- $200 for approved foot ware
It is clear that when we work together, we are Stronger Together! Congratulations to the entire Herbert team!
Wicihitowin: Indigenous People Engagement Conference - Apply Now!
SEIU-West is pleased to sponsor up to five (5) members to attend the Wicihitowin Aboriginal Engagement Conference 2018, taking place October 17-18 in Saskatoon. The conference will focus on Aboriginal engagement and human service delivery topics relevant to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal participants.
Anyone interested in attending this conference is asked to return your completed SEIU-West Expression of Interest form (below) on or before September 25, 2018 in order to allow us to complete the registration and selection process.
You can also send in a paper EOI form by clicking here.
Forward your paper EOI form to:
Barbara Cape, President of SEIU-West / [email protected]
#200 – 747 46th Street W, Saskatoon, SK S7L 6A1
Fax: 306-652-1392
Win of the Week! September 2-8
SEIU-West was proud to support labour day celebrations across Saskatchewan this week. In Saskatoon and Moose Jaw, SEIU-West members volunteered their time to supply nutritious food to community members and highlight the value of unions. We held many discussions about the significance of public health care and the need for paid leave for survivors of domestic violence. We also shared the importance of safe staffing for all those who use and rely on health care. Based on community feedback, it’s clear that Saskatchewan people support the quality services our members provide – and that we must continue to advocate for better working and living conditions for our communities. We are proud to collect the many petitions signatures gathered - together, we can create a more just community for our members and their families!
Celebrate Environmental Services Week!
SEIU-West is thrilled to recognize September 10-16, 2018 as Environmental Services Workers Week! Environmental Services Workers (ESW) are an essential part of the health care team.
ESW’s like Dennis, work to ensure patients, residents and clients are cared for and treated in a clean, safe environment. Check out how members like Dennis contribute to the health care team:
Dennis completed his TLR (Transferring, Lifting and Repositioning), WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System), and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) training. He has also completing specialized courses, including the training to provide cleaning services to isolated patient rooms.
Dennis cleans patient rooms, utility areas, and maintains the floors. He also manages garbage and bio-hazardous material pick-up and disposal. He loves all parts of his job, but especially enjoys the interactions between staff and patients.
When a patient or visitor compliments Dennis on the outstanding job he’s done, or when he is being appreciated and recognized by his coworkers, Dennis knows of the important affect his work has on the health care team.
We couldn’t agree more, and we want to thank Dennis and all ESW’s who work so hard to ensure our health care environments are safe for all.
And as a special thank you, we encourage you to participate in the ESW Week Contest! Just by liking and sharing this post on Facebook, you’ll be entered to win a co-op gift card and SEIU-West swag! Deadline ends September 16! If you don’t have Facebook, just send an email to [email protected] letting her know why you appreciate ESW’s!
Win of the Week! August 26-September 1
SEIU-West has another excellent win of the week to report! A member called our Member Resource Centre (MRC) to let us know about their efforts in ensuring our collective agreement was followed. They met with their manager about a vacant position that wasn't posted – the hours were also not in callout to fill this position – our member successfully got the hours available for callout as per the collective agreement and the position is now being posted as a permanent position. We love that our members have the skills to ensure all our rights are protected! Great work!
SEIU-West Labour Day Message
In recognition of labour day, SEIU-West members Terrilyn St. Amour and Carmela Verwimp, alongside their union President, Barbara Cape, share their labour day messages of solidarity, strength and justice. These powerful messages are also published with the Star Phoenix and Leader Post: