In early December, the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board (the LRB) issued a decision about the five former Extendicare facilities. The decision was based on an interpretation of the regulations that governed a previous restructuring of the healthcare system in 1997, commonly called the ‘Dorsey regulations’. In that decision, the Saskatoon and Moose Jaw facilities remain within the SEIU-West family. However, the 3 Regina-based facilities were moved, without a vote of the membership, into the CUPE 5430 jurisdiction.
Pinned
Notice to Members in the Education Sector - Re: STF Strike
January 12, 2024
Good afternoon,
As you may have heard, the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) has announced that its members across Saskatchewan will be conducting a one-day strike on Tuesday, January 16th.
SEIU-West Education Support Staff Stands with the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation
The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (the STF) has been bargaining with the Government and Trustee bargaining committee. They have reached an impasse and are unable to make any progress. The STF has notified their members that they will be holding a vote on sanctions against their employer.
Convention 2023: Constitutional Amendments
The following Constitutional Amendments were debated, voted on, and passed during Convention:
November 15, 2021 Update: SHA Proof of Vaccination Policy
SEIU-West and other unions asked the following questions.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) provided the responses.
This document simply communicates the responses of the SHA, and is in no way to be taken that SEIU-West agrees with or endorses the SHA responses.
Letter to Minister Hindley re Claim 85 CCAs Hired
On November 10, SEIU-West, SGEU, and CUPE sent a letter to Everett Hindley, the Minster for Seniors and Rural and Remote Health, about his government's misleading claims about their promise to hire more Continuing Care Assistants.
SEIU-West Guidance On Non-SHA Employer Policies Re Proof Of Covid-19 Vaccination
SEIU-WEST GUIDANCE ON NON-SHA EMPLOYER POLICIES RE PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION
November 12, 2021
On October 1, 2021, the Saskatchewan Government authorized all employers to require that their employees prove that either:
- They are fully-vaccinated against COVID; or
- Have had a recent negative COVID test.
SEIU-West’s responsibility as a union is to represent our membership’s rights, in a manner free from arbitrariness, bias or unreasonableness.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic SEIU-West has worked to address our members’ pandemic-related questions, needs, and concerns. We’ve made employers, the government and the public take notice of the vital service you’ve provided throughout the pandemic. We’ve fought to ensure you have access to appropriate personal protective equipment and mental health supports.
While the healthcare sector (Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and affiliates) has been a focus (see for example our guidance on SHA COVID vaccination policies here) we want to make clear that we also continue to represent the interests of our members in education, retirement homes, community based organizations (CBOs), light industrial and allied sectors.
The following is meant as general guidance about employer vaccination policies for SEIU-West members working for non-SHA employers. It is based on questions we have received from members, our review of employer policies, and relevant legal authorities. We will update this document if and when we receive further information. Because the details and application of an employer’s COVID vaccination policy vary from one employer to another, please contact the Member Resource Centre (MRC) at 1-888-999-7348 Ext 2298 or [email protected] if you have specific questions.
Stories from the Front Line: Laurie
Laurie is a Medical Radiation Technologist (MRT) who is also a CLXT. She works in a one room X-ray department so there is only one tech working each day. She also has some days where she works in the lab. On weekends and on call, there is one person working in both lab and X-ray.
Letter to Premier Moe: Staffing Crisis in Health Care
SEIU-West, SGEU, and CUPE have sent a letter to Premier Scott Moe to once again reach out about the staffing crisis in Saskatchewan's health care system and are proposing the creation of a Health Human Resources Council. Read the full letter...
Town Hall Meetings: SEIU-West Extendicare Members
SEIU-West members who work for the five Extendicare facilities in Saskatchewan – Elmview, Moose Jaw, Parkside, Preston, and Sunset – are invited to join President Barbara Cape and Director of Contract Bargaining and Enforcement Bob Laurie for an update on bargaining and the transition to the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHC).
SEIU-West President Barb Cape's Message: November 5, 2021
Community Worker Appreciation Day Contest 2021
Join us as we celebrate November 6th – Community Worker Appreciation Day.
Community-Based Organization (CBO) workers are there for our communities every day. They work in residential/group home settings, they assist with crisis services, they provide day programs for people with disabilities to support their independent living, they work in child care programs, and they support clients in addictions counseling/treatment programs.
They do this with instability from their government. Funding is offered on a year to year basis, some years with cuts; underfunding and unstable funding has caused recruitment and retention issues. Our CBO workers truly care about the wellbeing of their communities, even at their own personal cost.
It’s important to recognize this group whose work is crucial to the success of communities across the province.
In recognition of their valued work, SEIU-West invites you to participate in the Community Worker Appreciation Day Contest!
- Tell us up to three practical actions that the government can take to strengthen community-based services, ensuring these vital services will remain pillars in our community for decades to come.
- For an additional entry, name one of the Community-Based Organizations that are represented by SEIU-West and tell us why they are important to their community.
Send your answers to [email protected] by November 14th for your chance to win a gift card.
President Barb Cape's Message November 5, 2021
Extendicare Canada Inc. (ECI) Bargaining Update No. 3
Date: November 1, 2021
Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
Finally, your Extendicare Bargaining Committee has met with the Employer to commence bargaining.
Member Questions: Extendicare Transition to SHA
SEIU-West members at Extendicare:
We’ve all heard the announcement that the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is taking over the Extendicare (ECI) five long-term care homes in Saskatchewan. We know that that announcement has created a lot of additional stress and anxiety in the workforce already worn out through COVID. Now, not knowing what will happen in this transition is one of the greatest stressors of all.
Contest Winners October 2021
Here at SEIU-West, we love contests that celebrate YOU!
We had a Medical Device Reprocessing contest with gift card winners: Shelley M and Val A.They named the following devices:
- PSN Knee instruments for Total Knee replacement
- Emergency Suture Trays
- Laproscopic General Pan
- Stethoscopes
- Endoscopes and
- Forceps
We had a Food Services Worker contest and our gift card winner was: Connie H.
Connie loves morning muffins and gave us the great idea to add whipping cream to Mac and Cheese.
We had a Facilities and Engineering nomination contest and our gift card winner was: Donald S.
Donald says his coworkers are highly skilled people from various backgrounds that work continually to ensure the hospital can function. Donald says his team is working through a heightened level of anxiety that is managed by having such positive relationships with one another. Leaning on each other has really helped to get through these trying times.
Stay tuned for our winners from Education Week and Health Care Providers' Week!