The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives have published Caring for the Future: Frontline Workers on the Challenges in Saskatchewan's Long-Term Care Sector.
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Security Services Update: Our House Needs In-house!
In April 2018, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) began a review of provincial security services in health care.
Win of the Week! November 11-17
It’s another great win this week after a SEIU-West member was reinstated with back pay!
Under the SAHO collective agreement, new hires are on probation for 480 hours. Management must tell them if their work is not meeting standards, and give them a chance to improve.
Recently, a member who works in health care was terminated for “unsuitability” after working 467 hours. The Employer didn’t tell the member why they were unsuitable or give them a chance to respond. SEIU-West filed a grievance.
On November 11 the arbitration panel ordered management to reinstate our member, pay them lost wages, and extend their probation by 320 hours.
Congratulations to our member and the SEIU-West team!
Media Release: Long-Term Care Investment Claims Questioned
For Immediate Release - November 14, 2018
Saskatoon – According to a recent media report, our Saskatchewan Minister of Health, the Honourable Jim Reiter is claiming that the SaskParty government has increased funding to Long-Term Care (LTC) by over 40%.
Win of the Week! November 4-10
This week, we reached an agreement with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) regarding Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licensing requirements. This agreement provided our members with options if they are LPNs who have not completed the educational requirements of the Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (SALPN) to maintain their license in 2019. Prior to this agreement being reached, the employer had indicated that these members would be terminated with no available options given that licensing is a requirement to work in a LPN position.
To see the full Memorandum of Agreement, click here. And if you have any questions, please call the Member Resource Centre (MRC) at 1.888.999.7348 ext. 2298.
SEIU-West is proud to reach this agreement with the SHA alongside its health care coalition of unions – when we work together, we win together!
Celebrate Community Worker Appreciation Day!
SEIU-West is thrilled to celebrate Community Worker Appreciation Day on November 6, 2018! Community Workers work in Community Based Organizations (CBO), an immensely valuable sector that supports our most vulnerable populations. Our members who work in CBOs often work in group home settings where they’re able to improve the lives of those in need – people with addictions, those who cannot live independently, children in crisis, to name a few.
CBO workers are compassionate people who work in extremely stressful situations, but gain so much from the people they work with. Strong relationships are formed between CBO workers and those they care for, and we couldn’t be more proud of the people they are.
SEIU-West is particularly excited about this year’s Community Worker Appreciation Day as our Saskatoon Office is hosting the CBO province-wide conference! There will be CBO workers joining us from not only SEIU-West, but also from SGEU and CUPE. In recognition of this exciting conference and our Appreciation Day, we ask that you participate in our CBO Worker contest!
Simply visit our CBO coalition website, www.saskpeoplewhocare.org and tell us about a CBO worker from the website. For bonus points, please share the website on your social media! It is vital that we share the work of those who contribute so much to our communities – so please, participate today! Tell us about a CBO worker/whether you shared the website online by emailing [email protected] by November 13, 2018.
It’s Medical Radiation Technologist (MRT) Week!
MRT Week is November 4-10, and SEIU-West is proud to celebrate the vital role of MRTs in our health care team!
MRT’s work with ever-changing radiation technology that has helped patients around the world. With the use of medical imaging and treatment technologies, MRTs are able to identify and assist in the finding of causes, effects, and treatment of disease.
Due to advancements in medical radiation technology, MRTs must be current and innovate in their skillset – they must also have excellent communication and interpersonal skills as they work closely with patients. With the involvement of MRTs, our health care team can provide the best quality care for the members of our communities.
In recognition of their valued work, SEIU-West invites you to participate in the MRT Week Contest! We ask that you tell us – why MRTs are vital to the health care team? Email [email protected] with your answer, and you’ll be entered to win!
Contest Deadline: November 12, 2018
Win of the Week! October 28-November 3
SEIU-West members from across Saskatchewan joined the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) Convention last week, and SEIU-West is so proud to announce that many of our members were SFL first-time speakers! It takes a lot of courage to be able to speak in front of hundreds of people, but our members knew they had the support of their Purple family as well as the vast Saskatchewan labour movement. These members spoke passionately on an array of topics, such as the need for paid leave for domestic violence and the importance of public services. We are so proud of these members and love to see our members’ confidence grow! A major win this week!
UFCW Co-op Solidarity Contest!
UFCW members who work at Co-op in Saskatoon are on strike, and SEIU-West stands behind them every step of the way.
Workers at Co-op are saying ‘NO!’ to two-tiered wages. Two-tiered wages are an unfair and divisive employer tactic that devalues newer employees to Co-op – it is completely out of the question pay a different wage to workers doing the exact same job – but that is what Co-op is trying to do.
The Co-op has a long history in Saskatchewan – the people in our communities are part-owners of this organization and from that, we expect more. The Co-op Board of Directors should know better – they are meant to represent our communities who are looking for good, secure, and non-discriminatory jobs. We do not want to see new employees punished, and we do not want to see employers who exploit their staff every chance they get.
As a demonstration of our solidarity, SEIU-West is proud to launch our UFCW Co-op Solidarity Contest!
Tell us: what values draw you to support Co-op and how are they being taken away during the UFCW strike for fairness? Email [email protected] to enter!
BONUS: take a selfie of you at a UFCW picket line and send to [email protected] by December 31, 2018! We have SEIU-West flags at each of our union offices, so please bring one along as well as a friend (or two!)
Enter by December 31, 2018 for your chance to win a gift card and SEIU-West swag!
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Win of the Week! October 21-27
A member with an illness was denied disability coverage. Yet this week, the Employer agreed to re-open their file due to the efforts of this member and their union. SEIU-West helped determine that this member had every right to be accepted in their disability claim; together, we will work to ensure the member’s case is won!
Festival of Trees Saskatoon: Decorate Our SEIU-West Tree!
SEIU-West is excited to be back at the Festival of Trees in Saskatoon this year! Thousands of visitors to the Festival are delighted when they arrive to see a collection of beautifully decorated trees, including our very own SEIU-West tree!
SEIU-West is especially proud to support this popular event as proceeds will benefit Saskatoon City Hospital’s Medical Imaging Department with an upgraded Fluoroscopy Suite. They’ll also replace the department’s aging portable x-ray unit with digital technology. Having the newest and best technology means clearer imaging, faster diagnoses, more efficient treatments, and improved safety. 
As is the Purple way, we want to support this great cause with the use of a contest! We know decorating a tree is a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer – that’s why we’re holding a contest to determine who will be our SEIU-West Tree Decorating Team! If your team wins, you’ll all be invited to join the decorating day at the Western Development Museum on November 22 helping to make our union’s tree, “I’m Dreaming of a Purple Christmas”, become a reality! All your lost wages and expenses will be covered by SEIU-West! Decorations will also be provided.
How to enter?
- Teams can be no more than 2-4 people, and all team members must work at the same facility.
- As a team, we ask that you answer the following questions:
- Why does your team think SEIU-West is the best union in Saskatchewan?
- How does your team build solidarity and Purple Pride at your workplace?
- Send your team answers to [email protected]
Deadline?
The deadline to enter is November 12.
Bonus!
The winning team will not only get to decorate the tree, but they’ll also win the SEIU-West decorated tree that will be on display at the Festival of Trees to showcase at their workplace!
Joint Bargaining Update: Coalition Unions continue to press SAHO for fair contract October
October 22, 2018
Dear Health Care Member:
Your SEIU-West, CUPE and SGEU bargaining committees met with SAHO in Saskatoon on October 18 and 19 to resume bargaining a fair and equitable collective agreement for all of our members.
We believe two outstanding issues remain: monetary and the Extended Health and Enhanced Dental Plan.