There is currently a vacancy on the SEIU-West Executive Board for members that work for the Community Based Organizations Sector.
Pinned
Virtual town halls (VTHs) were scheduled for the evenings of May 27 and 28 to update SEIU-West members about SAHO bargaining and answer bargaining questions. Unfortunately, the VTH on May 27 ran into major technical glitches. We apologize if you were one of the hundreds of members whose experienced this failure. We were not satisfied that the supplier of the VTH platform would be able to properly fix these problems in time, so we decided to cancel the May 28 VTH.
You may have noticed there hasn't been an announcement about bbqs for the summer yet.
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.
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.
The members of SEIU-West have spoken!
Saskatoon, December 12, 2019
Click here to download a printable PDF file of YWCA Saskatoon: Bargaining Update No. 3
Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
Our last update indicated the Union and the Employer reached an impasse in bargaining in the summer of 2019, after the membership voted to reject the Employer’s last offer of a 1.5% wage increase effective July 1, 2019, with no provision for retroactive pay.
Members Seniority Re-Instated after SEIU-West Files Grievance
A member had all of their 18 years of seniority removed from the recent seniority list. The Employer did not respond when member advised them of the situation. A grievance was filed and the Employer corrected the seniority list right after receiving the grievance. This is a good reminder to not be silent. Speak up! You have the strength of SEIU-West behind you!
FACT CHECK
Member Awarded Position Denied due to Pregnancy
An Employer denied a member from taking a temp position because the member was pregnant and expecting in January. This employer had a past practice – if a pregnant employee couldn’t work 50% of the temp, they would not be awarded the position. Prior to filing a grievance, the Union raised both discriminatory action and Human Rights issue as arguments for the employer to stop this action. The employer agreed and awarded the position to the expectant mom – what a great win!
The United Nations has established each December 3rd as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). The theme 2019 is The Future is Accessible. IDPD is a day intended, “to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.”
SEIU-West is committed to ensure that people with disabilities do not face exclusion and discrimination. Ensuring inclusion empowers them to fully participate and contribute to society. We must all do our part in removing those barriers so those with disabilities can lead full and productive lives.
On December 2, front line workers Community-Based Organization (CBO) workers representing SEIU-West, SGEU and CUPE, were at the Saskatchewan Legislature to present petitions calling for multi-year funding in their sector – read more here.
CBOs are non-profit groups that work at a local level to help improve life for residents by providing vital services to some of the most vulnerable people in our society including providing support for the disabled. – watch this video to find out more about CBOs.
There are limited resources for people with disabilities as it is and CBO’s are currently one of the few available to them. CBO’s often work to develop innovative solutions on a very restricted budget and to ensure that they continue with their service, find out more about these Sask People Who Care.
Sisters and Brothers,
Your Provincial Contract Action Team (ProCAT) is looking to ramp up our efforts to demand fairness and safety in health care.
We’ll be looking to our members to help ensure their communities are aware of the severe understaffing happening in health care.
A fair contract would definitely help.
If you are interested in setting up a Put Care first end understaffing event (i.e. info picket, leafleting, etc.) in your community, reach out to your ProCAT member or use the event request form to let us know.
We will provide the resources such as leaflets, necessary funding, checklists, etc. but it is vital to have a local unit members engaged and involved.
We all have to work together to keep up the pressure so we can successfully resolve this collective agreement.
Please remember to show your support for our bargaining efforts. You can contact the Minister of Finance, Donna Harpauer (306) 787-6060 OR [email protected]; the Minister of Health, Jim Reiter (306) 787-7345 OR [email protected]; the new Minister of Rural and Remote Health, Warren Kaeding (306) 798-9014 OR [email protected]; or your very own MLA. Explain to them the need for a fair offer; and how an adequate monetary package is necessary to recruit and retain quality staff. You can also send a letter to your MLA with a simply click on our www.EndUnderstaffing.ca campaign. If you would like some assistance, call the MRC at 1-888-999-7348 extension 1 and an officer will put you in contact with someone who will help you.
Remember we’re all in this together!
Please keep an eye on the SEIU-West website and your union bulletin board. And follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for information updates.
In solidarity,
Barbara Cape, SEIU-West President
A vacancy has arisen on the SEIU-West Young Workers Committee so we are inviting interested members to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form to fill this vacancy.
The successful applicants will have the opportunity to expand their union involvement and activism in this position, and play an active role in engaging young workers into our union.
If you are interested in applying, please complete this online form or this pdf EOI form and submit it to Barb Cape’s attention by Monday, January 13, 2019 via email: [email protected] or fax: 306 652 1392.
SEIU-West helps member that was passed over despite seniority
A member who works as a casual housekeeper was denied a posted position they were qualified for and found out that a less senior person was awarded the position. Their Unit Chair and Rep met with employer. The employer argued that this person wasn’t senior because of the last seniority list but the Rep insisted that the employer look at day of seniority and based on that, the employer agreed to give the position to the member who brought forward the issue. It was a win that the employer listened as we described the problem and agreed to fix it.