News

Media Release: Agreement for Out-of-Province Surgeries a Bad Move

For Immediate Release
March 29, 2023

Saskatchewan—In a misguided effort to cut wait times for certain orthopedic surgeries in Saskatchewan, the SaskParty government has signed a $6 million contract with a Calgary-based private clinic to perform hip and knee replacements. The deal with Canadian Surgical Solutions Ltd., represented by former SaskParty Finance Minister Kevin Doherty, was announced on March 28^th. SEIU-West believes the most effective way to reduce surgical wait times is to invest in the public health care system in our own province.

Extendicare - SHA Transition: March 28, 2023

We met with the SHA on March 17, 2023 to discuss several outstanding issues that must be addressed in the transition to the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA).

Tri-Union Media Release: Provincial Budget Fails Community-Based Organizations and Those They Support

For Immediate Release
March 20, 2023

REGINA, Sask.—Three unions representing workers at over 70 community-based organizations (CBOs) across the province are condemning the provincial budget for yet again failing to meet the needs of Saskatchewan’s most vulnerable residents.

Media Release: Saskatchewan People Not a Priority in SaskParty Budget

For Immediate Release
March 23, 2023

Regina—In release of the 2023-2024 provincial budget, it was made abundantly clear that the SaskParty doesn’t care about the struggles faced by regular working people and the most vulnerable populations in our province.

Nominations: Shelly Banks Above & Beyond Award 2023

This award has been established to honour Shelly Banks who led by example and served as SEIU-West vice-president from 2008-2015.

Her invaluable and outstanding contributions have made a significant and lasting impact on our members and our union.

April 30th Claims Submission Deadline

All extended health care and dental expenses incurred in 2022 must be submitted to Canada Life before April 30, 2023.

Saskatchewan Health Authority Testing Program Reimbursement

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and SEIU-West have resolved the outstanding grievances filed in response to the Proof of Vaccination/Monitored Testing Program.

SFL Pension Conference 2023

SEIU-West is pleased to sponsor up to five (5) members to attend the SFL Pensions and Benefits Conference 2023, taking place March 22 & 23 in Regina. 

Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. This day is the anniversary of the murders of 14 young women at l’Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal in 1989 who were killed simply because they were women. This is an important day to recognize that violence against women remains a significant issue in Canada and around the world. The UN reports that every 11 minutes a woman, or girl, is killed by an intimate partner or family member, making this the most pervasive human rights violation in the world. In addition to the physical violence that women are subjected to, women and girls face rampant violence online, including misogynistic hate speech, sexual harassment, revenge porn, and grooming by sexual predators. This violence is amplified for Indigenous women and girls, for women of colour, and for gender diverse and gender fluid women.

AIMS Feedback Opportunities

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is looking for feedback from health care staff on the AIMS program. Please check the SHA Daily Rounds - December 5, 2022 email for more information and other opportunities to participate.

If you have any questions about your collective agreement, please contact the Member Resource Centre (MRC).

Media Release: Saskatchewan Surplus Should be Invested in Public Services

For Immediate Release

November 30, 2022

Saskatchewan – The Saskatchewan government yesterday released its mid-year financial report for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The report forecasts a $1.1 billion surplus, mainly due to a spike in non-renewable resource revenues. SEIU-West encourages the Government of Saskatchewan to not fritter away this windfall on $500 giveaway cheques and tax breaks for gym memberships, instead, they should be investing in the care workers and public services that keep this province running.

Bargaining Update No. 1: Haven Kids' House

Dear members:

Much has happened since we met with you in February to prepare for bargaining. This bulletin is to update you on where we are and how we got there, and to encourage you to attend a membership meeting we are holding on Tuesday, December 6^th.

In brief, the Employer’s actions have put negotiations at an impasse, and we have formally requested the Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety to appoint a conciliator to help the parties reach a deal.

Solidarity with SGEU Liquor Store Workers

The recent decision of the Government of Saskatchewan to privatize the remaining public liquor stores in Saskatchewan is yet another example of the reckless and careless leadership that this government has shown time and time again.

Louis Riel Day 2022

FNMIC member Justin Gaudet, is asking members to pause on November 16 to think about Saskatchewan's history on Louis Riel Day. Educate yourselves on the history and commit to going forward in a more informed way. 

Bargaining Update: Sienna Sabre

Date: November 14, 2022

Greetings Sisters and Brothers, members of Riverbend, West Park Crossing, Stonebridge Crossing, and The ICH at The Village at Stonebridge,  

The four Sienna Units and their respective Bargaining Committee members attended a joint meeting, with SEIU–West staff in attendance (all via Zoom) on August 11^th, 2022. Our discussion centered around having Sienna agree to bargain all four of these Business Units at a common table, since we felt there may some additional strength in bargaining collectively, in this way. We would need to have Sienna in agreement to do so.

Deck the Halls 2022

SEIU-West wants to Deck the Halls of your facility! We are proud to sponsor a Christmas Tree at the Saskatoon Festival of Trees for our members to decorate, but our members are across the province and we want to bring some holiday cheer to your facility!

Medical Radiation Technologist Week 2022- Mary

National Medical Radiation Technologist Week is a time we can take a deep dive into the profession of medical imaging and thank the amazing workers that make it possible to see what is going on inside a patient. Even within the field, there is a vast range of imaging departments that our members are found in. MRTs can be found performing Computerized Tomography (CT) scans, x-rays, fluoroscopy, angiography, mammograms, and assisting with surgical procedures, for example, someone that may require a biopsy. MRTs also make requisitions for testing, monitoring incoming requisitions for urgency, and properly archive images for reports.

Bob Desjarlais Memorial Scholarship

It is with mixed emotions that we announce our new scholarship, the Bob Desjarlais Memorial Scholarship.  This is a bittersweet moment for all of us.

The scholarship will be an annual $750 prize for SEIU-West members, in addition to the ongoing ten scholarships for members and ten scholarships for children of members.

This scholarship is intended to honor the characteristics that we miss so much about our Staff Rep, Negotiator, and friend, Bob Desjarlais. The successful applicant will be someone who has their co-workers' backs, dedicates their time to fellow union members by being an ally, supports, encourages and defends…in other words, someone who embodies the definition of solidarity.

Applicants must be pursuing an educational program deemed acceptable by the SEIU-West Scholarship Committee.  In order to qualify, please read about who Bob was and then send the SEIU-West Education Committee an email, care of Alicia Zerr, describing how you, or someone you wish to nominate,  supports your/their co-workers to make the workplace and community a better place. Please include the funniest clean joke you know. Bob was a funny guy. Please also fill out this form and return it to an SEIU-West office, or complete the form online.

Alternatively, you can send a fax to our Saskatoon location @ 1-877-221-2212. Deadline to apply is November 15th, 2021.

Medical Radiation Technologist Week 2022- Lisa

November 6-12 is Medical Radiation Technologist Week, a time for us to extend our thanks to all the amazing MRTs in our healthcare system. They provide a wide variety of services that include general x-rays, fluoroscopy, intra-operative imaging, and radiology. They also assist with minimally invasive procedures such as biopsies, drainages, embolization, mechanical thrombectomy, and vascular access, like inserting a PICC line. MRTs are vital to heart attack and stroke patients, so you will always find a MRT in the hospital or on call.