For Immediate Release
June 1, 2023
Saskatoon—Supporters of a strong public healthcare system joined SEIU-West members at the Saskatoon Cabinet Office to highlight the need for government investment in the patients, clients, and residents and the people who care for them in this province.
In our most recent update, we had identified to our SEIU-West members that vacation banks, time in lieu banks and stat/pro-stat banks would be posted in your workplaces by the end of March. Unfortunately, it was only recently brought to our attention that this did not happen
For Immediate Release
April 5, 2023
Saskatchewan—In what seems to be an attempt to ignore the legitimate concerns of the largest classification of union members in the health care sector, Minister Everett Hindley declared in a legislative committee that Continuing Care Assistants (CCAs) don’t deserve any retention initiatives because they are paid to do the job they do, and that’s retention enough.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and SEIU-West have resolved the outstanding grievances filed in response to the Proof of Vaccination/Monitored Testing Program.
SEIU-West members who work in MDR, Security and the CLXT classification are necessary to the health care team because they help to ensure safe and quality health care provision.
Health care providers who work in MDR protect and strengthen patient safety by ensuring health care equipment is dependable, clean and effective. They inspect, assemble, sterilize, and decontaminate health care equipment – they must therefore be highly detailed in their work and meet great physical demands. Through the hard work of those who work in MDR, health care patients can expect excellence in their care.
Health care workers who work in Security are at the frontline when it comes to patient and staff care. As in any health care setting, unexpected situations can occur – Security Officers are there to provide and ensure a safe environment. Security Officers must be attentive to detail because part of their job is preventive patrol and inspection as this helps to determine whether conditions are normal. They must also be well-prepared and have the ability to respond quickly and appropriately to any number of security emergencies occurring within a health care setting.
CLXTs are vital to the success of quality and safe health care. By performing X-ray exams, Electrocardiograms (ECG) and Holter monitoring, these hard working health care technicians ensure patients receive the best care available. The role of a CLXT is to provide diagnostic tools that the entire health team relies on because they assist in the proper diagnosis and treatment of patients. CLXT’s will procure and analyze specimens, and prepare patients before any lab and x-ray procedures.
It is evident that health care providers who work in the MDR, Security, and CLXT departments are essential to safety and quality care. To recognize their value, SEIU-West is happy to announce a recognition contest!
Complete the MDR, Security, and CLXT Week Wordsearch by October 21 for your chance to win a great prize! Email your completed wordsearches to [email protected] – good luck!
SEIU-West is overjoyed to share another incredible organizing win this week! Workers at Green Falls Landing, a Revera Retirement facility in Regina, voted overwhelmingly to join SEIU-West! These members will now join their comrades at the other five Revera Retirement residences currently unionized with SEIU-West. Big thank you to our organizers and new members – thanks to your dedication, another 60 families will reap the benefits joining SEIU-West.
By Brittney Servetnyk, Young Worker Committee Member
My name is Brittney Servetnyk I work in Saskatoon as a Continuing Care Assistant in a long-term care facility. I am also on the Young Workers Committee (YWC) with SEIU-West. The Federal Election is coming up quickly on October 21st 2019. I am voting because I want a government that ensures us with Pharmacare, fair wages and fair housing costs. Its important to vote because its our right as Canadians to vote from the young age of 18 years and up. I find it especially important to vote as a female as the right for a female to vote was fought so hard by women in the early 1900's.The decisions the government make affect absolutely everyone. We all have a voice in who our government is, and can hold them accountable for their actions while in office. Your vote matters! Check out this interview about pharmacare I did in support of our YWC Shining A Light On initiative and the upcoming election:
Pharmacare: A drug insurance plan that belongs to all Canadians – one that is sustainable and equitable – where Canadians have access to prescription medications based on their need and not their ability to pay.
When we go to the Doctor we hand them our provincial health card and expenses are covered.
Getting to the pharmacy is when the anxiety really hits, as many begin to crunch numbers in our head and think, "Do I really need this medicine? Can it wait a little longer? Do I skip groceries bills or rent?”
Some people are fortunate enough to be able to hand the pharmacist a drug insurance card whether it be through work (often thanks to their union) or a secondary insurance company. But even then some medications still come with cost, or sometimes a medication isn’t recognized under your plan.
A lack of universal prescription drug coverage – Pharmacare – is causing many people skip doses, split pills, or skip their medications entirely just to get by. This not only leads to a decline in a person’s mental and physical health, but fills our emergency departments as well.
Now imagine a future where your provincial health card is used at the pharmacy and prescription costs are covered just like a visit to your Doctor’s office… this is possible with Pharmacare.
Canadians pay one of the highest prescription costs and we are currently the only developed country with universal health care that does not include prescription drug coverage.
As workers we need to contact our MPs and elected leaders in order to stress the importance of a strong, healthier future with Pharmacare. Be sure to ask your federal candidate where they stand on Pharmacare!
Interview between Brittney (YWC Co-Chair) and Matt Winacott (Primary Care Paramedic)
Q: What does a future with Pharmacare look like?
A: A future with Pharmacare includes healthier citizens with more money in their pockets, who don’t have to worry about being able to afford their medications. Canadians would use their provincial health card at the pharmacy as they would at the hospital with no cost. When people don’t skip their medications due to financial burden both their physical and mental health improve.
Q: Who would be eligible to receive Pharmacare?
A: All Canadians would be eligible.
Q: How many residents are going without medications or skipping doses?
A: 1 in 5 Canadians are unable to fill their prescriptions due to cost.
Q: As a young worker in health care yourself, why is Pharmacare so important?
A: From my own experience in health care, I have seen people make tough decisions to go without their medications to pay for food or rent. Pharmacare is important because when you're working hard to make ends meet or bettering your life going to school or trying to afford child care, you shouldn’t have to worry about medical expenses.
SEIU-West recognizes Mental Illness Awareness Week October 6-12.
The Saskatchewan Employment Act (SEA) includes mental health in its definition of “occupational health and safety”, as follows:
We understand many SEIU-West members and workers around the world experience high levels of stress and poor mental health due to work. Mental health concerns can stem from workload, workplace harassment, and many other factors that occur on the shop-floor. In response, each employer should have mental health policies as it is their responsibility to provide safe workplaces, as per the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations (section 12).
SEIU-West also has many resources that can support you, including talking points for workload as an OHS issue, and anti-harassment training. Please contact the Member Resource Centre (MRC) at 1.888.999.7348 ext. 2298 for more information. Your family doctor can often recommend a professional for you as well. Other examples of supportive organizations include the Employee and Family Assistance Programs (EFAP) or associations such as the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) or the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) to name just a few.
As always, your union is here to support you – know that you are never alone with SEIU-West.
The members of SEIU-West who work in Food Services are central to ensuring patients, residents, and clients have their nutritional needs met when receiving care. They also make sure all staff and visitors have access to their delicious meals that are prepared with high-quality hygienic standards.
In a health care setting, various resident and patient needs must be taken into account – our professional Food Services members make sure that food allergies and dietary needs are taken into account to safeguard against possible complications that can cause set-backs in recovery and impact a person’s overall health.
It’s clear those who work in Food Services are a vital part of the health care team and in recognition, we’re launching our Food Services Week contest!
With Fall in the air, people are increasingly in the mood for comfort foods and warm meals. So for this contest we ask you to tell us: what’s your favourite comfort food? Bonus points for sending a picture of a comfort meal made by a member in Food Services!
By entering, you could win a gift card or movie pass!
Email [email protected] to enter – the deadline is October 15!
And don't miss our CTV ad airing this week across Saskatchewan in celebration of Food Services Week! You can check out that ad on our YouTube page here.
For Immediate Release - October 4, 2019
Saskatoon – Nearly 90% of workers at Green Falls Landing in Regina have voted in favour of joining five other Revera Retirement facilities as members of SEIU-West.
SEIU-West is thrilled to announce workers at Saskatchewan Society of the Protection of Children (SSPC)- Parent Aide Programme have joined our SEIU-West family! The workers voted strongly in favour of joining SEIU-West and have already had a unit meeting to elect their interim bargaining team and unit executive. Now that the certification is official, we’re excited to see our newest members enter bargaining. Thank you to the organizing team for a job well done and big congratulations to our latest SEIU-West members!
For Immediate Release - October 2, 2019
Saskatoon – Workers at the Parent Aide Program, part of the Saskatoon Society for the Protection of Children (SSPC), have voted strongly in favour of forming their union with SEIU-West.
For immediate release: September 29, 2019
Saskatoon – As part of their Put Care First: End Understaffing campaign, SEIU-West members held a rally at Kinsmen Park in Saskatoon Sunday to talk with members of the public about chronic understaffing in the health care sector.
Click here to download SAHO/SEIU-West Bargaining Bulletin (2nd edition) No. 7
September 26, 2019
Your SEIU-West bargaining committee met with SAHO and the Saskatchewan Health Authority representatives in Saskatoon on September 24, 25 and 26, 2019.
For immediate release: September 27, 2019
Saskatoon – As part of their Put Care First - End Understaffing campaign, SEIU-West members will be present at Kinsmen Park in Saskatoon this Sunday to share information and talk with the public about the chronic understaffing issues they face daily in our health care sector.
International Day of Older Persons takes place on October 1st each year, and SEIU-West is proud to celebrate our senior community.
Many of our members provide care to seniors, and view them like family. Patients, residents, and clients are a big reason as to why people work in health care – it’s about bringing joy and improved wellbeing to those that require care, many of whom are older persons.
On the International Day of Older Persons, we must continue to advocate for the needs of our senior community. Initiatives like safe staffing in the retirement home sector is a must because we it’s vital we ensure the care needed as our population ages. Be sure to add your voice in the call to end understaffing in Saskatchewan health care at www.EndUnderstaffing.ca
With the election around the corner, it’s also important to ask your candidate what they’ll do to support older persons. Initiatives like Pharmacare are essential for seniors to be able to afford the medications they need. Visit www.purplevotes.ca for more information.
To learn more about what initiatives older persons are focusing on and to add your voice, visit https://seniorsvoice.org/about-us/.