In 2024, Canada experienced yet another record-breaking. year of extreme weather events driven by climate change, including heat waves, wildfires, and floods. Scientists project an increase in these events in the coming years.
Pinned
Important Message from Barbara Cape
Nominations: Shelly Banks Above & Beyond Award 2025
This award has been established to honour Shelly Banks who led by example and served as SEIU-West vice-president from 2008-2015.
Her invaluable and outstanding contributions have made a significant and lasting impact on our members and our union.
N/52nds Overpayment
If you are an SEIU-West member working for the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and you receive a communication from your employer indicating that you owe them money back for an N/52nds overpayment, please:
Info Pickets
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!
Janice Platzke Receives Larry Hubich Lifetime of Service Award
We are so excited to announce that your SEIU-West Treasurer, Janice Platzke, received the Larry Hubich Lifetime of Service Award at the 2024 Saskatchewan Federation of Labour Convention in late October. Congratulations, Janice!
Here's what her nominator had to say about Janice and her years of service:
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:
MEDIA RELEASE: Improving Safety in Health Care
I WILL REPORT: A necessary first step only
For Immediate Release - August 27, 2018
Saskatoon – SEIU-West leaders have viewed the recent video released by the Saskatchewan Association of Safe Workplaces in Health (SASWH) leading their campaign for change, # I WILL REPORT. The message being conveyed is an important one and the goal appears to be to encourage health care staff to report occurrences of violence and aggression as they occur.
Donna - Unit Assistant/Clerk at Saskatoon City Hospital
“Making a difference in peoples’ lives is very important to me.”
Tracy - Food Service Worker at Humboldt District Health Complex
“The best part of my job is making patients smile.”
Jae - Medical Lab Technologist at Humboldt Hospital
“I enjoy the challenging and fast-paced environment.”
Leanne - Continuing Care Assistant at St Ann’s Nursing Home
“I enjoy making our residents feel loved and appreciated for what they have done in their lives.”
Your Super Union Needs A Superhero! Contest
Want to attend the Saskatchewan Entertainment Expo in Saskatoon September 15-16? Here’s your chance! SEIU-West has two sets of tickets for 4 lucky SEIU-West members. How to win?
We ask that you create a name for our SEIU-West superhero and let us know their superpower! This is an excellent and fun way to share your creativity and love of superheroes!
Here’s an example to start you off: Purple Woman – when she touches something, it’ll turn a lovely shade of SEIU-West purple!
Now it’s your turn!
Let us know your SEIU-West superhero name and superpower by September 6 for your chance to win. Just email [email protected] with your entry.
All entries will be placed into a draw – good luck!