The SEIU-West First Nations, Métis and Inuit Committee (FNMIC) is hosting a contest to design an image for orange shirts that the committee provides yearly to members. Submit your design to enter to win a $100 Co-op gift card.
Pinned
Disclaimer: the following information is based on what SEIU-West found on publicly available federal government websites. This information is subject to change as it comes from outside sources. We will update this post further as information becomes available.
Info pickets provide an opportunity for SEIU-West members to send a message to their employer and to the general public, that bargaining needs to progress and SEIU-West members deserve a fair contract!
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!
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.
Saskatoon, November 12, 2019
Click here to download a printable PDF file of Canadian Blood Services: Bargaining Update No.2
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
For immediate release – November 6, 2019
Today, on CBO Worker Appreciation Day, SGEU, SEIU-West and CUPE thank the thousands of people who work at Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) across the province for the vital services they provide to Saskatchewan people in need. The three unions also call on the provincial government to commit to providing multi-year funding for Saskatchewan CBOs.
Join us as we celebrate November 6 – Community Worker Appreciation Day. Many SEIU-West members work in the Community-Based (CBO) Sector; they work in residential/group home settings and provide services for the vulnerable, they assist with mobile crisis services, they provide day programs for the disabled and support their independent living, they work in child care programs, and they engage with clients in addictions counseling /treatment programs. 
It’s important to recognize this group whose work is crucial to the well-being of communities across the province. The work of CBO’s is especially vital today because they go to great lengths to cushion the effects of government cuts and understaffing, often at great personal cost.
In recognition of their valued work, SEIU-West invites you to participate in the Community Worker Appreciation Day Contest! Complete this word search for your chance to win some awesome prizes:
- Tickets to the Festival of Trees
- Tickets to the Stand! Movie
- A variety of gift passes to movies and restaurants
Email [email protected] with your answer by November 13, and you’ll be entered to win!
SEIU-West is thrilled to celebrate the hardworking MRTs of our health care team.
You may have met a MRT during procedures they perform like angiograms (usually of the brain), special IV line insertions (like PICC’s), Ports, and Hickman lines, feeding tube placements, and biopsies, to name a few. MRTs are there to explain these procedures to patients and often start IVs. MRTs also assist during procedures by providing patient care, driving the x-ray equipment to guide the doctors, and scrubbing in with doctors to assist with the procedure. Cleanup and re-prep is an important aspect of their day as well as there are often many procedures and new challenges each day.
The work of an MRT is crucial for our health care system as MRTs perform imaging and radiation-related therapy, which is so often needed by patients. MRTs deliver safe and professional care by relying on the skills and experiences they’ve gained in their frontline work.
In recognition of their valued work, SEIU-West invites you to participate in the MRT Week Contest! Complete this crossword for your chance to win some awesome prizes:
- Tickets to the Festival of Trees
- Tickets to the Stand! Movie
- A variety of gift passes to movies and restaurants
Email [email protected] with your answer by November 13, and you’ll be entered to win!