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! This is not job action or a strike, attendance at an info picket is voluntary and takes place on unpaid time, such as a day off or during a break. In addition, it can't take place on the employer's property and we cannot interfere with the flow of people or traffic.
Pinned
President's Message: Christmas 2024
As 2024 winds to a close and the excitement and anticipation of holiday celebrations across many different faiths and cultures ramps up, I wanted to take a moment to share thanks.
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:
2017 Scholarship Winners!
The SEIU-West Education Committee is pleased to announce that all of the 2017 Scholarship Winners have been awarded and the winners have been notified.
Each year, the quality of the applications makes the selection process difficult. The committee wants to thank everyone who applied in 2017.
Here is a sample of some of our happy winners!
Win of the Week! January 28 – February 3
A year ago, a member went on unpaid leave following a workplace injury as her workers compensation claim was denied. The member then applied for the Disability Income Plan with the assistance of a SEIU-West Rep. Recently, the member found out that she has been approved. She will now receive back-pay since she had to leave work last year! What great news!
Win of the Week! January 21-27
An Employer was hesitant to accommodate the most senior member in awarding a posted position. Once SEIU-West intervened, the member information supported a formal accommodation and they were awarded the new position they were entitled to. Great work!
MEDIA RELEASE
Cuts Too Deep
Win of the Week! January 14-20
We have an excellent win to report on behalf of a new Unit Chair. This Unit Chair was just elected and within 5 days in their leadership role, they successfully resolved an issue after taking part in a Step One Meeting with the Employer. We’re very proud of this new leader!
Win of the Week! January 7-13
A member who experienced a longstanding issue in their JJE classification was just awarded $27,000 after SEIU-West and the Employer went to the Dispute Resolution Tribunal. This member had just retired as well – what a great retirement gift! Thanks to the persistence of this member and their union!
Rebecca – Direct Support Worker at Variety Place
"I love seeing participants become more comfortable in the pool!" - Rebecca.
Win of the Week! December 31-January 6
SEIU-West is happy to see that Saskatoon has its first Accountable Care Unit (ACU) and are proud of our Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) members who are newly certified in Structured Interdisciplinary Bedside Rounds (SIBR), one of the defending features of ACU. Way to go LPNs!
2017 Year in Review
2017 Year in Review!
Letter To The Editor – Sick Time Usage Scrutinized
Like the incessant high-pitched buzz of a mosquito in the darkness of a summer’s night, try as you might, slapping yourself silly, the mosquito triumphs, until such time as you turn on the light in order to quash its very existence.
Like a reoccurring cold, yet another virus has wielded its head. There is no defending against this plague, as you’re aware of its imminent arrival, one is simply not given an itinerary.
Sick time usage.
Health-care services should not be publicly undermined. Health-care workers should stay home when sick.
A hospital setting is hardly a place for ill employees, as it compromises patient safety.
But, alas, the court of public opinion will take the spotlight once again. The plague of sick time usage will have its day in the sun, and the critics will have their 15 minutes of fame.
What they neglect to speak about though is the lack of safety in the health-care environment. In particular, the cause of the injuries has so much to do with the insufficient staffing levels and the ‘attendance management’ strategies where management push the ill to attend work to the detriment of infection control.
When will the conversation change to acknowledge the source of the problem? Sadly, we wait for this to occur and it never does.
Yet, eventually, the hype will settle down, things return to normal, until one day, the python strikes again. It’s venom, enough to make you ill.
Martin Been
Saskatoon
Published in The Star Phoenix, Dec 22, 2017