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:
Cape's Corner: Winter 2020
As we go into the holiday season, I will admit that I’m not feeling very ‘Christmas-y’.
I’m stressed and worried about our members.
I’ve talked with so many of you - heard your stories, and your fears, and I am worried. I am concerned about your physical and mental health because this pandemic can wring you out with working so hard, for so long, under such taxing circumstances.
Together, we have been fighting hard to get you proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) policies and procedures, better staffing levels and a wage supplement for ALL health care workers. While you continue to show up and do your best with the limited resources you have, you also help by identifying both the problems and the solutions on the ground. We need this information to educate politicians on how to make better decisions... and we need to work together.
We are all running hard and fast to make sure our work gets done to our best ability. We’re trying to communicate as rapidly and as fully as we can with our members, our co-workers and our leaders.
We are wondering - what does the next day, week, year hold for us? Will the people of Saskatchewan uphold the public health orders and help us bend the curve of infection for this pandemic? Will we finally see increased resources for better staffing in the whole health care sector? When will our government begin to show the whole health care team respect and value?
I can’t give you the answer to those questions.
What I can offer is that we will continue to fight for proper PPE and to improve worker safety and policies. We will keep up the fight for better staffing levels and a wage supplement for ALL health care workers. Together we can win, for the future of our health care heroes, our education team, our community based workers, our towns and municipalities, our retirement and personal care homes.
For each other.
I know you are tired and stressed out. I know that you are frustrated that we have fought these fights before. I know that you feel like you are running on empty. But I believe that we can win and we will win together.
I wish you peace and rest over the holiday season…you deserve it.
In Solidarity and Respect,
Barbara Cape
Q&A No. 5: SAHO Tentative Agreement Information Sessions
Q&A No. 4: SAHO Tentative Agreement Information Sessions
Q&A NO. 3: SAHO TENTATIVE AGREEMENT INFORMATION SESSIONS
SHA OHC Co-Chairs - WebEx Meeting December 16, 2020
Wednesday December 16 at 1 PM
OHC Update Session RE: Safety Processes/Guidelines
This is a follow-up session (from Sep 30) with the OHC co-chairs to inform of ongoing updates/changes to safety processes and guidelines in relation to COVID-19.
Please note that this presentation will be recorded (which will be made to OHC co-chairs).
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When it's time, join your Webex meeting here. |
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Meeting number (access code): 132 091 2583 |
| Meeting password: fPAsnfQ8D76 |
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Tap to join from a mobile device (attendees only)
+1-306-271-1492,,1320912583## Canada Toll (Regina)
+1-306-808-2023,,1320912583## Canada Toll (Saskatoon)
Join by phone
+1-306-271-1492 Canada Toll (Regina)
+1-306-808-2023 Canada Toll (Saskatoon)
Global call-in numbers | Toll-free calling restrictions
Join from a video system or application
Dial [email protected]
You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.
Outside Saskatoon / Regina, use:
+1-855-244-8680 Canada Toll Free
Q&A No. 2: SAHO Tentative Agreement Information Sessions
Registering for the SEIU-West SAHO TA Vote
SEIU-West YWC Shine A Light On...211 Saskatchewan
The SEIU-West Young Workers Committee (YWC) is shining a light on issues that often get pushed into the shadows and aims to break down stigma associated with important issues in our communities. For this article, the YWC is focusing on 211 Saskatchewan and is based on an interview between YWC member, Brittney and Andrea Howe, Director of Labour Partnerships & Community Impact with the United Way.
What is 2-1-1 Saskatchewan?
2-1-1 is a free, anonymous, confidential service that connects individuals to human services in the province. 2-1-1 maintains information on over 5,500 listings of social, community, non-clinical health, and government services in Saskatchewan and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
How can 2-1-1 be accessed?
2-1-1 can be reached by phone, through text, through our website, and by chatting through our on-line platform. Help is available in the way that is most comfortable and convenient for the person seeking services.
2-1-1 information is provided by certified information and referral specialists. Anyone can access 2-1-1.
Is 2-1-1 available in different languages?
Yes. 2-1-1 is available in over 175 languages, including 17 Indigenous languages.
Why 2-1-1?
2-1-1 is an important part of United Way’s work across Canada to build strong communities by connecting people to services.
A significant barrier for individuals and families to accessing the services they need is the complexity of finding the information they are looking for. Whether it is finding assistance with basic needs such as food, shelter and employment, looking for support for an aging parent, or trying to find childcare, navigating through all of the information out there can be overwhelming, confusing and ultimately a roadblock to finding support.
Besides serving major urban centers and smaller cities, 211 plays a critical role in providing support to individuals located in rural and remote regions where online services are often beyond reach.
How long has 2-1-1 been available in Saskatchewan?
United Way Saskatoon & Area and United Way Regina collaborated in partnership to bring 2-1-1 service to Saskatchewan to help people get connected to the information and support they need.
In 2014, the on-line database was launched (www.sk.211.ca). In June, 2018, the 2-1-1 service was expanded to include phone, text, and webchat.
What is the impact of 2-1-1?
211 helps first responders, social workers, police, and other service providers find accurate information to direct people to the right resources. Example:
• This December, the Saskatchewan RCMP announced a general duty business card re-print with RCMP contact information on the front (in English and French) and 2-1-1 Saskatchewan information on the back.
• "Front line officers with the RCMP will use the business cards to inform clients of 211 Saskatchewan and provide them with an avenue of outreach when a social issue is beyond our scope of ability to help with”. (Constable Joelle Nieman, Saskatchewan RCMP's Violence Relationship Coordinator)
2-1-1 helps to re-direct non-emergency calls from 9-1-1.
2-1-1 will be able to identify gaps in services and geographical areas based on unmet needs in our communities.
Beyond everyday needs and with further development the 2-1-1 service has the potential to be used for emergency response support as has been proven with the resources required in the Calgary floods or Fort McMurray wildfires, and currently COVID-19.
2-1-1 and COVID:
Existing 2-1-1 services across Canada saw a dramatic increase in the number of people reaching out for help during the first wave. For example, 2-1-1 Saskatchewan experienced a 90% increase in contacts from March to August of 2020 compared to the previous six months. As part of its COVID-19 response, the Government of Canada provided funding to United Way Centraide Canada to increase the capacity and expand access to 2-1-1 services for all Canadian residents. This will be even more valuable as we enter the second wave of the pandemic.
2-1-1 has been available in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and most of Quebec. With this Federal investment, 2-1-1 is now available in Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador. In Quebec, services are available in some areas, with plans to roll out service across the province in December.
When should I call 2-1-1?
Media Release: A Need for Sustainable Solutions in Long-Term Care
For Immediate Release - December 10, 2020
Regina – While details continue to emerge, SEIU-West leaders and members have been both shocked and saddened as the daily heart-breaking reports are revealed about the extent of the outbreak at Extendicare Parkside, a long term care facility in Regina.
Join the Virtual Town Hall - Online!
REMINDER! Our virtual town hall meeting for SEIU-West/SAHO members is happening tonight @ 7 pm.
SAHO Tentative Agreement Information Sessions Q&A No. 1
This post covers questions asked as of December 2, 2020. If you are an SEIU-West/SAHO member who wants to sign up to take part in the Video conferences, please visit our events page to RSVP.
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women: December 6
December 6th - the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women - is meant to mark the anniversary of the murders in 1989 of 14 young women at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal and to spark the development of concrete solutions in eliminating violence against women. This has not happened. In Canada and around the world, women, girls, LGBTQ2 (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two spirit) and gender diverse individuals face unacceptable violence and discrimination. Gender-based violence in Canada has only intensified throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been reports from police services and shelters of an increase in calls related to gender-based violence across Canada during the pandemic.
The fact that these murderers targeted women is an act of misogyny (hatred of women), and the fact that these acts continue to occur 30 years from the proclamation of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is appalling.
But women are speaking out against misogyny, and fortunately, people are listening. Meaningful and important expressions of support, like ‘I believe you’ are growing and increasingly, allies are offering solidarity to end the violence.
SEIU-West encourages you to join the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which began International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25 and ends on International Human Rights Day on December 10. It also includes today’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. The 16 Days of Activism is a time to both reflect on violence against women and to take action to end it.
SEIU-West stands against violence, and actively equips women with the tools to empower themselves, corresponding to an integral part of changing this system of misogyny. Having a voice at work can translate into a powerful tool; it can lend a hand in recognizing the strength that is women. If you’re an SEIU-West member experiencing gender-based violence, be sure to contact our Member Resource Centre (MRC) as we have trained professionals able to assist you. Together, we are stronger in demanding action to end the violence.