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
Build Power, Win Justice 2024!
The SEIU-West Political Action & Education Department is pleased to invite members to apply to attend Build Power, Win Justice. This two-day conference will take place at SEIU-West in Saskatoon on March 19th and 20th, 2024. Interested members can apply by completing this application form.
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:
Canadian Blood Services: Bargaining Bulletin No. 5
Saskatoon, February 16, 2021
Click here to download a printable PDF file of Canadian Blood Services: Bargaining Update No. 5.
Open Letter to the Premier, Health Minister Merriman and Dr Saqib Shahab - Vaccine Rollout
On February 16, 2021, SEIU-West President Barb Cape sent the below open letter to Premier Scott Moe.
Click here to view the signed letter. Please scroll to the bottom to find more information about what you can do to help take up the fight. You can watch a video message from SEIU-West President Barb Cape on this issue here.
Dear Sirs,
I write to you on behalf of over 13,000 health care and allied health workers throughout the province of Saskatchewan with respect to the administration of vaccinations for the COVID-19 virus.
Specifically, I wish to draw to your attention the shocking failure of your vaccine delivery plan to appropriately prioritize workers across the full range of interrelated job classifications on which our health care and long-term care systems depend.
As you are aware, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) strongly recommend that all workers in health care settings be prioritized for the vaccine because of their close proximity to those who are likely to acquire COVID-19, but also suffer serious effects from this virus.
These workers have been on the front line of this fight against the spread of COVID-19 – in our hospitals, group homes, long-term care facilities, personal care homes, home care/community care services and blood distribution services. While these workers have been on the front line, the lack of visible support from your government has not gone unnoticed.
In fact, you have left them understaffed resulting in increased overtime and running to provide care; your government doesn’t appear to have an understanding or appreciation of what is actually happening on the front lines of this battle. Allow me to provide some snapshots of what is happening:
- Health care technologists: staff such as Cardiovascular Technologists, other Medical
Radiation Technologist, Medical Lab Techs and Combined Laboratory & X-Ray
Technologists (CLXTs) are often required to move from unit to unit throughout the
hospital or integrated care facility where they work as they provide and interpret the
various tests that are required to diagnose and provide appropriate treatment plans.
Their risk of potential exposure is high because of that movement, as is the
corresponding risk that they will transmit the virus throughout the facility. - Providers of community care and home care: Continuing Care Aides (CCAs),
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) provide health care
services within an individual’s home or in a communal living setting, such as the
Lighthouse in Saskatoon. This service is already fraught with unpredictability
because of the variables in health status on a daily basis. Home care services do not
have the predictability of a structured setting or the support of colleagues in the event
of an adverse health event of an individual. Clients are not screened in advance of
services being offered. As these are an individual’s home or a communal living
situation, the lack of structure for other interactions outside of these locations, such as
visiting outside friends or family or locations, creates an exponential risk for their
personal health and safety that cannot be dismissed or ignored. - Group home staff: Staff who work in these settings are likewise put into a vulnerable
position, along with their clients in these settings, because of the intimate, hands-on
nature of their work providing assistance in the personal care and activities of daily
living for each individual. - Staff at blood donation clinics: In our allied health sector, such as Canadian Blood
Services, there is no oversight or supervision of the adherence to public health orders
such that the requirement for physical distancing of two meters is not adhered to in
the strictest sense. This is likely done to continue to maximize the number of clients
who are donating blood, including the conduct of mobile clinics that put allied health
staff into a variety of work situations that expand the opportunity for infection. This is
the opposite of cohorting. - Staff at COVID test centres: for my final example, I want to highlight the unfortunate
irony of the lack of a mandate to vaccinate those staff who are either conducting the
actual COVID-19 tests and assessments or those who are providing the actual
vaccinations. The close proximity in both of these unique work environments leaves
too many opportunities for infection.
These are just a handful of examples of the movement and impact of health care and allied health workers. There are literally hundreds more examples impacting thousands of staff throughout the province.
While we appreciate that personal protective equipment (PPE) is standard issue for these staff, it is in an environment of several variants of COVID-19 that we continue to operate that has literally ‘upped the ante’ in our gamble with not vaccinating these health care and allied health staff as a priority. And while universal masking and PPE are key in arresting the spread of COVID-19, the clients, patients and residents that all of these workers encounter on a repeated and daily basis are not held to the same standard nor educated to the risks and effects of improper PPE wearing.
On behalf of not only my members within SEIU-West, but all health care and allied health workers, I implore you to reinstate the previously published sequence for these workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccines as a priority.
I look forward to your earliest possible response.
Respectfully,
Barbara Cape
President
SEIU-West
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Together, united, let's stand up to this inequity and demand protection for our residents, our patients, ourselves and our families and communities.
We need the government and SHA hear from all of you, soon, so they make revisiting the COVID19 vaccine rollout a priority.
Please consider dropping a line or placing a phone call:
Scott Moe
Ph: 306-747-3422 / 1-855-793-3422 (Shellbrook office)
306-787-9433 (Legislature office)
Health Minister Paul Merriman
Ph: 306-244-5623 (Saskatoon office)
306-787-7345 (Legislature office)
If you're looking for even more to do, contact your nearest Sask Party MLA and demand they push their colleagues to do the right thing.
Media Release: Hey Moe, Where's Our Dough?
Hey Moe… Where’s Our Dough?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 11, 2021
Saskatoon – SEIU-West members who work in hospitals, community-based organizations, and for employers such as Canadian Blood Services are still being left out of the province’s Temporary Wage Supplement (TWS) program. In many other provinces these crucial workers have received a wage supplement.
“The work that our members do in hospitals, child care, group homes, crisis intervention, and blood collection puts them in close contact with the general public on a daily basis – they can’t do their work from home. These workers are at as much risk as our members who work in Long-Term Care and Home Care setting. All of them should be included in the wage top up,” says Barb Cape, President of SEIU-West.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, SEIU-West members who work as Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs), Continuing Care Assistants (CCAs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Environmental Service Workers (ESWs), Patient/Client Intake, Direct Care workers, and Security Officers, to name a few, have been coming into their workplaces every day facing steady interactions with people in the public.
“I’m not sure if the public knows that people who are processing COVID tests aren’t getting the TWS,” continues Cape. “And that the people who clean hospitals are on the first line of defense against the spread of viruses aren’t receiving the top up. These are two of the many classifications in the health care team that are key in fighting this deadly disease.”
The government is not being honest on the reason for not issuing the Temporary Wage Supplement broadly for all front line workers who work in close proximity to people and are exposed to bodily fluids. The Minister of Finance’s office have given different reasons to different members. Ultimately, if this is intended to keep people working, then all front line health care staff, allied health, and community-based workers should be eligible; the Premier and his Minister of Finance shouldn’t be picking winners and losers.
When it was launched, the first phase of the TWS was for people who worked in Long-Term Care homes and completely left out both Hospital and Home Care workers. While phase two of the program now includes home care workers, it still leaves out many vital workers who are in a position of high risk.
“The public should be aware that this government is being selective about whose contribution to our public services are more valuable,” adds Cape. “I do not believe that this government actually understands the impact of this pandemic on front line staff and values saving lives, particularly when the focus is open keeping Saskatchewan open, rather than keeping us safe.”
Service Employees International Union West (SEIU-West) represents over 13,000 people across Saskatchewan. They include people who work in health care, education, municipalities, community-based organizations, retirement homes and other sectors. They are united by one colour – purple – and one union – SEIU-West. Visit PurpleWorks.ca to find out more about SEIU-West members.
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For more information, contact:
Christine Miller
Communications
306-477-8733
President Barb Cape's Message February 11, 2021
Media Release: Vaccine Plan Misses the Mark
Vaccination Plan Misses the Mark
February 10, 2021
For Immediate Release
Saskatoon – SEIU-West members are shocked to discover that, once again, the SaskParty government has diminished the value of our front line health care providers as the vaccine roll out plan places them on the back burner in Saskatchewan.
“Our members are facing the daily burdens presented by the ongoing surge of COVID in this province yet so many have been missed in phase 1 of the vaccination plan. It’s obvious, given recent public statements from Premier Scott Moe, that our provincial government has no intention of reducing the risk to these front line health care providers by the introduction and enforcement of more stringent regulations. Now we see they will not be afforded a priority vaccine either. This is a huge mistake,” says Barb Cape, President of SEIU-West.
Cape adds, “Our provincial government needs to understand the devastating effects of COVID on the front line. We should be focusing on what we can control rather than what we cannot if we truly want to manage the spread of COVID-19. Pinning our success solely on fighting this disease with a vaccine is a foolish strategy given that we have no control over access; our question is whether this is simply another way to shirk responsibility when it comes to fighting this pandemic? It is alarming that there is so little respect for the protection of our front line heroes – when they face the brunt of provincial decision-making on a daily basis. Why would we not see them placed in phase 1 of the vaccination plan? These priorities need to be realigned immediately.”
For weeks now, Scott Moe and our SaskParty government have been blaming the Canadian Federal government for the lack of supply of vaccine – the apparent silver bullet in the fight against the COVID-19 Coronavirus.
“This is not a one-solution kind of situation,” continues Cape. “The vaccine is a very important part of the puzzle in this fight but we also need stronger restrictions that are actually enforced.”
The provincial government has been maintaining for weeks that their current public health order and restrictions are sufficient and that tightening them won’t help. Recently Moe has been rallying behind the idea that the vaccine is the only way out of this pandemic.
“The one thing that I think has been keeping people safe during this pandemic is doing what they can to reduce risk,” adds Cape. “Staying physically distant, wearing a mask, washing your hands; those are things people can control. What people don’t have control over and what this government doesn’t have control over is how fast vaccines can be manufactured and delivered so, in the meantime, we must do what we can to lessen the risk and if that requires tighter restrictions, then we need to do that.”
Service Employees International Union West (SEIU-West) represents over 13,000 people across Saskatchewan. They include people who work in health care, education, municipalities, community-based organizations, retirement homes and other sectors. They are united by one colour – purple – and one union – SEIU-West. Visit PurpleWorks.ca to find out more about SEIU-West members.
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For more information, contact:
Christine Miller
Communications
306-477-8733
Click here to download a printable PDF of this media release.
Don't Forget! Feb 15th Deadline for Applying for Phase 2, Sask Temporary Wage Supplement
Just a reminder that the deadline for applications for Phase 2 of the Saskatchewan Temporary Wage Supplement is February 15, 2021.
While we continue to demand that Premier Scott Moe give all essential workers retroactive access to both phases, please remember to take advantage of the program if you already qualify by working in an approved facility.
Eligible essential care facilities are listed alphabetically in the online application form (see drop-down menus under each eligible facility type). In its current form, Saskatchewan's Temporary Wage Supplement benefit is provided to full-time, part-time and casual workers, and includes anyone employed by the facility, such as care workers, cooks, housekeepers, janitors, administrative staff, etc.
You can find more information on this program on the Saskatchewan government's website.
To learn more about SEIU-West's "Hey Moe, Where's Our Dough?" campaign, fighting for access to the Temporary Wage Supplement for all essential workers, click here.
Canadian Blood Services: Bargaining Bulletin No. 4
Saskatoon, February 3, 2021
Click here to download a printable PDF file of Canadian Blood Services: Bargaining Update No. 4
Media Release: SEIU-West Calls for a Long-Term Care Overhaul
For Immediate Release - February 2, 2021
Saskatoon – In the wake of the disturbing COVID-19 mortality rates coming out of Extendicare Parkside, SEIU-West is renewing their calls for a full-scale overhaul of the Saskatchewan long-term care system. The SEIU-West campaign to #EndUnderstaffing evolved as a consequence of the last decade with budget-driven resources eroding the quality of care for our seniors.
Media Release: Political Grudge Match Ignores Fairness for Health Care
Political Grudge Match Ignores Fairness for Health Care
Saskatoon – This week, Premier Scott Moe confirmed the end of March as the target timeline for the vaccination of all who are living and working in long-term care and personal care homes in Saskatchewan.
“Our members are asking whether this is a pipe dream,” says Barbara Cape, President of SEIU-West. “It seems this is just another opportunity to criticize the Prime Minister’s office and the federal government for the pace of shipment of vaccines to Saskatchewan. We hope that political games are not being played on the backs of exhausted, broken and traumatized essential workers.”
This sense of skepticism comes as a result of failed leadership on the vaccine roll out plan and COVID-19 related issues since the beginning of the pandemic.
“We have been witness to a number of broken promises from Premier Moe – whether it be an increase in the number of Continuing Care Assistants to the sector or recruitment strategy within provincial lab services,” adds Cape. “Our skepticism has been reinforced when a sizable portion of essential workers continue to be denied access to the federal funds intended to be provided as a wage top-up. Does Scott Moe really believe there are workers in any health care setting who are not essential at this point of the Saskatchewan COVID experience?”
SEIU-West members working for the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) have been raising concerns with the Saskatchewan Temporary Wage Supplement program which was introduced unilaterally by Scott Moe last spring. At that time, it specifically excluded both hospital and home care workers from automatic eligibility. The more recent phase, announced again by Moe late last year, specifically excludes all hospital workers unless they work in an integrated health care facility (eg. a hospital and long-term care home under the same roof) and was only offered for a two month window during a devastating second surge of COVID infections and hospitalizations.
“We have advised our members that neither SHA nor the Ministry of Health have offered us the opportunity to discuss the program or influence it in a meaningful way,” continues Cape. “We know from the Canadian Centre of Policy Alternatives (CCPA) report released on January 26, that the province is sitting on $49.4 million of federal monies that were intended for essential workers.
“On behalf of our membership, I’m asking the public and Scott Moe’s Sask Party government to appreciate the incredible strength of our front line heroes working in health care and community-based sectors. They are working hard to protect our health, safety and lives, yet they feel largely abandoned by our provincial leaders,” states Cape.
Service Employees International Union West (SEIU-West) represents over 13,000 people across Saskatchewan. They include people who work in health care, education, municipalities, community-based organizations, retirement homes and other sectors. They are united under one colour – purple – and one union – SEIU-West. Visit PurpleWorks.ca to find out more about SEIU-West members.
Download this media release as a PDF.
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For more information contact:
Christine Miller, Communications
Phone: 306-477-8733
New Campaign: Hey Moe, Where's Our Dough?
A sizable portion of essential workers continue to be denied access to the federal funds intended to be provided as a wage top-up... for essential workers. Saskatchewan is the only province in Canada where frontline and essential health care workers are receiving the federally-funded wage supplement based on the facility you work in, not the job you perform.
Why are workers in Saskatchewan hospitals, mental health and a myriad of other healthcare-providing facilities being left out?
How did Scott Moe decide that the housekeeper scrubbing floors in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) was somehow less essential than the housekeeper working in long-term care? How, a year into this pandemic, does he not understand that they are both essential, as is every single worker in the health care system? It's not even Moe's money, yet he decided to withhold it, apparently just because he can. And what’s he doing with the unspent $49 million that was targeted for essential workers?
It makes zero sense and it is very unfair.
Picking and choosing some workers to reward and other workers to deny is just one more way the Sask Party government degrades the incredibly hard work you all do, every day. It's one more method they're using to grind you down.
We recognize how frustrating this is; working together let’s try to use one voice to effectively force the Premier to do the right thing and extend the temporary wage supplement to ALL essential workers, retroactively and in the future; the supplement needs to be extended to those working in hospitals, public health and community-based organizations (CBOs) as well.
Check out this new advocacy campaign we're calling "Hey Moe, Where’s Our Dough?".
We need as many members as possible to take a picture, preferably in work clothes, holding a handwritten sign (8.5x11" is fine) with a message for the Premier. So if you work at Canadian Blood Services, we want to hear from you. If you work at St. Paul’s Hospital, we want to hear from you. If you work in a group home or at Sask Impaired Driver’s Treatment Center, we want to hear from you! Each one of you going to work every day is an essential worker, and we want to hear from you!
You may decide to write your own message. Or you could choose one of these:
- I received the temporary wage supplement and so should everyone else
- I’m essential but I did NOT receive the wage supplement
- Where's the money for essential workers wage top-ups going, if not to essential workers?
- Scott Moe thinks I’m not essential
- I deserve the Saskatchewan temporary wage supplement
Once you've taken your photo, please send it to [email protected], where we will share them across our multimedia platforms, to make all aware of what we think about this ridiculous decision, including the Premier.
Here are a couple of examples of what we are looking for:
On behalf of all members, we thank you so much in advance for taking the time out to help us fight for you and your brothers and sisters.
Together, united, we will never stop fighting for fairness for everybody.
Pink Shirt Day 2021!
Every February, SEIU-West members across this province demonstrate their commitment to practicing kindness by tackling workplace bullying on Pink Shirt Day.
Pink Shirt Day was inspired by the act of kindness of a group of teens in small-town Nova Scotia, after their fellow student was bullied for wearing pink to school. The following day, hundreds of students came to school wearing pink as an act of solidarity with their peer and to take a stand against bullying. Now countries across the globe organize anti-bullying Pink Shirt Day fundraisers of their own - in fact in 2020, more than 180 countries shared their support of Pink Shirt Day through social media posts and donations.
We are amazed every year by how many SEIU-West members get behind this important movement, and we're so excited to support your efforts again in 2021.
So this year on Wednesday February 24, or Pink Shirt Day 2021, we would love to see you all once again wearing a SEIU-West pink shirt or a pink shirt of your own. By sending us a photo of you and your coworkers wearing pink, you’ll be entered to win a prize for you and your coworkers!
How to enter: On February 24th, take a picture of you and your coworkers wearing pink shirts and email it to [email protected]. That's it!
To request 2021 SEIU-West pink shirts, please email [email protected] by February 15th. Please note that priority will be given to members and units which have not received shirts in previous years.
As they are every year, 2021 shirts are both a hot commodity and in limited supply... be sure to get your request in early!
2021 Family Literacy Day Contest - Winners & SEIU-West's 2021 Best Book Ever Reading List!
Thank you EVERYONE who participated in SEIU-West's Family Literacy Day 'Best Book Ever' Contest! It was a lot of fun to see what books have inspired and entertained SEIU-West members' and their families. Here's our Best Book Ever Reading List 2021!
Children's:
Sir Fartsalot Hunts the Booger | Moo Baa Lala | The Monster at the End of this Book | Miss Suzy |
Where is the Green Sheep? | Go the F**k to Sleep | Very Hungry Caterpillar | The Bad Guys - series |
I Am A Big Brother! |
Adult Fiction:
The Tattoist of Auschwitz | All The Light We Cannot See | The Rescue (Nicholas Sparks) | The Quintland Sisters |
The Stationery Shop | A Fine Balance | Cilka's Journey | The Guest List |
Suzanna's Diary for Nicholas | Anne of Green Gables | Still Alice | To Kill A Mockingbird |
Adult Non-Fiction:
The Secret: Daily Teachings | Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead | Good Vibes, Good Life | The 5 Love Languages |
Turn on the Switch | One Thousand Gifts | Living the 90%: 9 Ways to be Happier | Think Like a Monk |
And a big congratulations to our winners of a Chapters/Indigo gift card!
Calvin Y | Tammy C | Denise C | Stephanie G |
Zaida P | Jeaninne R | Rita D | Misty S |
Winners were drawn at random and have all been notified. Thank you and we can't wait to do it again next year - happy reading!