As most of us know, the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, has declared the day of the Queen’s funeral—Monday, September 19—as a day of mourning and has granted federal staff a day off. He has encouraged federally regulated employers to provide a day off and has asked the provinces to do the same. The province of Saskatchewan has decided not to declare September 19 a provincial holiday or to grant provincial employees the day off.
Pinned
Joint Media Release: Health care provider unions concerned about new health care recruitment Crown: more red tape is not the answer
For Immediate Release - September 1, 2022
REGINA: The unions representing health care providers in Saskatchewan are questioning the creation of the Saskatchewan Health Care Recruitment Agency.
Media Release: Private "Temp" Agencies Won't Solve Health System Understaffing
Saskatchewan – Late last week, amid facility closures and service disruptions across the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), the SHA quietly released a troubling measure to respond to “staff shortages”.
Executive Board Vacancies
Do you want to be more involved in the governance of your Union? Do you have a unique voice to lend to the Executive Board? Here's your chance!
SAHO/ECI Bargaining Survey 2022
It is time for the 2022 SEIU-West SAHO/ECI Bargaining Survey!
This survey is for SEIU-West members who work at (or are on leave from) a Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) or SHA-affiliated workplace or program, including Extendicare.
SENIORITY TOWNHALL – Q & A – SEIUWEST/SAHO collective agreement
On June 7, SEIU-West held a virtual townhall to talk with SHA members about the Letter of Understanding (LOU) that changes our hours-based seniority system to a seniority date system. The difference is that all hours-based seniority will begin to be transferred to a seniority date.
Extendicare Pay Rate Update
Elmview, Moose Jaw, Parkside, Preston, and Sunset Extendicare Facilities
PLEASE NOTE:
New pay rates are effective April 17, 2022.
Update to Members: March 25, 2022
Dear Members of SEIU-West:
In an effort to keep you all up-to-date on the recent cyber-attack affecting SEIU-West that we first reported to you on March 11, 2022 and updated you on March 15, 2022, we want to provide a further update on where we’re at with this situation.
Update to Members: March 15, 2022
Dear members of SEIU-West:
We are writing you with an important update related to the recent cyber-attack affecting SEIU-West that we first reported to you late last week on March 11, 2022. We promised to provide you with further updates as more information became available.
Here is what we’ve learned to date:
Notice to Members: March 11, 2022
Dear member of SEIU-West:
We are writing to you with important information about a recent cyber-attack affecting SEIU-West. SEIU-West became aware of this cyber-attack on March, 10 2022, which is believed to have occurred early in the morning of March 10, 2022.
Extendicare Canada Inc. (ECI) Bargaining Update No. 7
Date: March 7, 2022
Greetings Brothers and Sisters who work at Extendicare Canada’s Elmview, Preston, Moose Jaw, Parkside, and Sunset facilities:
We wanted to update you regarding the implementation of the new collective agreement you approved in January, as well as regarding the transfer of these facilities to the SHA.
SAHO/SEIU-West Bargaining Bulletin (2nd Edition) No. 24
Date: March 4, 2022
Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
At long last, we can confirm that our collective agreement is finalized and at the printer!
Federal Funding for Health Needs Stronger Conditions Provinces Must Meet
Open Letter to Premier Moe: Saskatchewan's Frontline Workers Call on Government to Protect Vital Services
On January 20, 2022 SEIU-West, the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL), the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation (STF), the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN), SGEU and CUPE Saskatchewan joined together to call on the Government of Saskatchewan to protect our healthcare and education systems and other vital public services from the Omicron wave by immediately following the advice of Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab. The presidents of these six organizations held an unprecedented joint news conference. Today, the joint open letter below was sent to Premier Scott Moe, calling for a a public health order to:
- Limit gathering sizes to a maximum of 10 people.
- Limit the frequency of gathering and establish a consistent “bubble” of close contacts.
- Limit non-school and non-work contacts.
- Limit non-essential travel between communities.
Unit Assistant/Unit Support Worker Week 2022- Mandie
We know how special Unit Assistants and Unit Support Workers are to our health care team, so we made a week to celebrate them! Unit Support Workers (USWs) may not be a classification in a hospital that you know much about, so we profiled one of our members, Mandie, to showcase the vital role they play.
Letters to the Editor: Investment Must Stay With Long-Term Care in Saskatchewan
Martin Been, SEIU-West Political Action and Awareness Committee member recently had a letter to the editor published regarding long-term care funding.
Read on:
Committee Openings
As you may be aware, we have a number of committees who are looking to fill vacancies. If you are an SEIU-West member (or know of an SEIU-West member in your workplace) that is looking for a great way to get involved in your union, are enthusiastic, curious, and ready to learn, take a look at the various committees and see if one peaks your interest.
The committees looking to fill out their allotted number of members are as follows:
- Aboriginal Committee
- Multicultural Mentorship Committee
- Political Action & Awareness Committee
- Worker Safety Committee
- Young Workers Committee
If one catches your eye, send in an Expression of Interest form.
We also have a Committee Openings poster that can be displayed on the SEIU-West bulletin board in your workplace for coworkers to find. Joining a committee is a great way to meet new people, step outside of your comfort zone, and show your solidarity in your union.
Special Update: SAHO Seniority Conversion
Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
As you doubtless recollect, your SEIU-West SAHO Bargaining Committee concluded negotiations regarding a Letter of Understanding (LOU) to transition the SEIU-West seniority system from an hours-based system to a seniority date system on April 30, 2021.
The time has come.
The work to transition to a seniority date system begins in June of 2022.
National Indigenous History Month
SEIU-West's Aboriginal Committee met on May 31 and has many exciting initiatives coming up.
We'd like to share a list of June events and ask that you join us in celebrations of National Indigenous History Month and work towards Reconciliation in Saskatchewan.
Email [email protected] if you'd like to walk with us in Saskatoon for Rock your Roots for Reconciliation!
Filipino Heritage Month 2022
SEIU-West's Multicultural Mentorship Committee member, Leta Raquel Lee, caught up with a community leader, Marte Clemente Nogot, to talk about Filipino Heritage Month. This is their interview:
Paramedic Services Week 2022- Corey
Few people fall into their chosen profession early in life. When Corey was in high school, the fire department of his small town was recruiting volunteers to assist at the fire hall. He fell in love with the adrenaline rush, and eleven years later, is the Team Leader for paramedics in his facility. Corey has various professional firefighting certificates and has taken Primary Care Paramedic training. After a few years, he completed his Advanced Care Paramedic Training and now works in the southwest of the province.
Paramedic Services Week 2022- André
We are very fortunate to live a part of the world where emergency help is only a phone call away. When someone is experiencing the worst day of their life, it is just another day for André. André has been serving the community he grew up in as a Primary Care Paramedic in the southwest of the province for over twelve years. He regularly deals with inter facility transfers and emergency calls, including delivering a newborn baby last year.
André completed his education at Saskatchewan Polytech. He has continued to increase his skills by becoming a Heart & Stroke CPR instructor, training in mental health, and yearly education to keep his knowledge up to date. André loves the variety that his job brings, and that means keeping his skills toolbox full.
President Barbara Cape's Message May 27, 2022
Bargaining Bulletin No. 13 Canadian Blood Services
Disability Service Professional Week 2022- Chinchu
Few jobs can be as inspiring, thankless, tiring, and meaningful as being a Disability Service Professional (DSP), or Disability Support Worker (DSW). This week we highlight our amazing DSPs and DSWs and thank them for their amazing work. We have many facilities that include these classifications, primarily in our Community Based Organizations, or CBOs.
Our profiled member, Chinchu, has worked in an urban community home for over 5 years. She obtained her Disability Support Worker Certificate and has added Professional Assault Response Training (PART) and Transfer-Lift-Repositioning (TLR) Training through her workplace, which are very useful, as Chinchu doesn’t always know what her day will bring. The ability to go with the flow is a must in this field.
Asian Heritage Month 2022 - Week Four Contest
SEIU-West Multicultural Mentorship Committee wants you to join them to celebrate Asian Heritage Month by celebrating with a weekly contest for the month of May!