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.
Riverbend Crossing Bargaining Update No. 5
Date: May 20, 2022
Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
The sale of Extendicare’s Esprit holdings to Sienna-Sabra continues to stall bargaining, and bargaining is currently “put on hold”. It is expected that the sale will be finalized some time in June. There have been no additional bargaining dates set at this time. SEIU continues to remain in contact with Sienna-Sabra, throughout their transition to ownership, and will continue to negotiate on your behalf. We have been assured by Sienna-Sabra that bargaining will proceed, once the transaction is complete.
IT Transition Update: May 13, 2022
On May 2, 2022, SEIU-West transition team members met virtually with our IT members who are affected by the proposed transfer of SHA IT staff to eHealth. In attendance for the transition negotiations team were Barb Cape, President; Bob Laurie, Director of Contract Bargaining and Enforcement (CBE); Russ Doell, Deputy Director of CBE; Ravi Doshi, Curtis Firomski and Janice Gaspers.
We reviewed the details of the meeting we had with SAHO, SHA and eHealth on April 20.
National Public Works Week 2022- Mark
Few people get to take pride in their town by taking pride in their work, but that is the entire goal of public works. Today is National Public Works Day, the time for us all to acknowledge our diligent public works employees. Mark works in Public Works Maintenance in a town in the southwest of the province, and everyday Mark and his coworkers strive to keep things in their town running smoothly. Marks has many different roles in his position, depending on the time of year. During the winter he maintains streets and sidewalks, removing snow and keeping roadways clear. In the summer, Mark keeps busy with street sweeping, and keeping the town clean. But he must always be ready for any town emergencies that may come his way.
Asian Heritage Month 2022 - Week Three 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!
National Biomedical/Clinical Engineering Week 2022- Doug
This week is National Biomedical/ Clinical Engineering Week! If you think that title sounds interesting, you would be correct. That is exactly how our profiled Biomedical Engineering Technologist, Doug, ended up in this field. Doug met someone in this line of work and thought it sounded interesting. After 2 years of schooling Doug began working in the field, and 19 years later he can’t imagine a better fit for a career. Doug works in an urban acute care setting where he must continue to update his education by taking various courses on specific pieces of equipment as they are released.
Doug starts his day in the OR to see if there are any problems that require his immediate attention. After they have been addressed, Doug continues through the hospital to find equipment for preventive maintenance. It is this helpful problem solving that is Doug’s favourite part of his job. “It is very satisfying to make another person’s day go smoothly, I feel like I really contribute to how the hospital runs and cares for patients in those moments, albeit from behind the scenes,” Doug says.
Bargaining Bulletin No. 12 Canadian Blood Services
President Barbara Cape's Message May 13, 2022
West Park Crossing Bargaining Update No. 4
Date: May 13, 2022
Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
The sale of West Park Crossing to Sienna-Sabre LP, is expected to be finalized in the month of June 2022. Previously scheduled Bargaining dates of April 13 and April 14 were cancelled by the Employer due to this impending sale. Bargaining has been “put on hold” until Sienna-Sabre takes possession of the property. We have been in communication with Sienna-Sabre regarding Collective Bargaining, and have been assured we will be proceeding, once the sale is complete. No additional dates have been set at this time.
(LPN) Stories from the Front Line: Cheryl
Cheryl is an LPN in a rural acute care facility.
When COVID hit she thought, “We’ve got this!”
But they didn’t... they had nothing.
Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day 2022- Caroline
There must have been a greater force at work when Caroline applied for a job in her urban childcare facility. She sent in what she describes as “just a random application for a job that turned into my career.” Fifteen years and a pandemic later, Caroline is still as excited about her job as when she began.
Stories from the Front Line:
Amanda
Amanda has been a Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) for home care for almost twenty years . She assists clients with medications, helps them get dressed, assists with baths, applies compression stockings, assists with colostomy bags and catheters, and she visits with them when time permits.
Amanda chose this career after volunteering at an urban hospital when she was in high school. She loves getting to know her clients and their families and helping to keep clients in their own homes as long as possible. She takes pride in offering peace of mind to the families of those she cares for, that their loved ones are in caring, capable hands.
Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day 2022- Tracy
Tracy is an SEIU-West member who works at an urban childcare facility in the south of the province. This is the time to appreciate all that she does for the children in her community, Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day.
In a day, Tracy provides care for ten toddlers, but it’s so much more than that. Tracy spends her time feeding, playing with, and nurturing children in a way that will make a difference in their lives. Spending time with children is something Tracy is passionate about and has been doing for 10 years. Every day is a new day, and there is always something to learn and someone to inspire.