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
Pinned
Media Release: What They're Paid to Do
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.
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.
Media Release: SEIU-West Members Show Support on Purple Day
For Immediate Release - September 25, 2019
Saskatoon – As their bargaining team works to negotiate a fair contract, SEIU-West members in the health care sector are showing their support by wearing purple today.
YWCA Saskatoon: Bargaining Update No. 2
Saskatoon, September 23, 2019
Click here to download a printable PDF file of YWCA Saskatoon: Bargaining Update No. 2
Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
Our last update indicated you had voted to reject the Employer’s last offer in July. We requested that the Employer return to the bargaining table to continue bargaining to reach a collective agreement. Just as a reminder, the Union’s last position had been a 1.5% wage increase effective July 1, 2018. The Employer last offer set out a 1.5% wage increase effective July 1, 2019 with no provision for retroactive pay.
Festival of Trees Contest: Decorate our SEIU-West Tree!
SEIU-West is happy to be back at the Festival of Trees in Saskatoon this year! Thousands of visitors to the Festival are delighted when they arrive to see a collection of beautifully decorated trees, sponsored by various organizations including our very own SEIU-West tree.
SEIU-West is particularly excited to see that the proceeds of the Festival will benefit patients and staff at Saskatoon City Hospital!
As is our tradition with this Festival, we want to support this great cause with a contest! We know decorating a tree is a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer – that’s why we’re holding a contest to determine who will be our SEIU-West Tree Decorating Team! If your team wins, you’ll all be invited to join the decorating day at the Western Development Museum on November 21 helping to make our union’s tree, “Wrapped in Purple”, become a reality! All your lost wages and expenses will be covered by SEIU-West! Decorations will also be provided.
How to enter?
- Teams can be no more than 2-4 people, and all team members must work at the same facility.
- As a team, we ask that you answer the following questions:
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- Why does your team think SEIU-West is the best union in Saskatchewan?
- How does your team build solidarity and Purple Pride at your workplace?
Send your team answers to [email protected]
Deadline?
The deadline to enter is November 3, 2019.
Bonus!
The winning team will not only get to decorate the tree, but they’ll also have a chance to win the SEIU-West decorated tree that will be on display at the Festival of Trees to showcase at their workplace!
Win of the Week! September 15-21
Over the past few days, over 80 SEIU-West members participated in our Activist Training in both Saskatoon and Moose Jaw! They grew their skills to develop campaigns that matter to their workplace and communities. Though the skills gained can be transferred to any issue, our members focused their workshops around Federal election issues. In Saskatoon, members petitioned to gather signatures in support of Pharmacare while in Moose Jaw, members focused on committing our candidates to invest in public services in order to ensure provinces have increased funding for safe staffing levels. Check out some of the course feedback:
“This course is a must for everyone.”
“I was impressed with all I learned and how I can be an activist in my community - I have learned so much to bring back to members and my community."
“It was very informative and showed me that I need to use my voice more.”
“I am more confident in speaking to members and the public.”
“This training helped me talk to others about politics.”
We look forward to seeing these members lead and take action on issues that make our communities better places to live and work!
SAHO/SEIU-West Bargaining Bulletin (2nd edition) No. 6
Click here to download SAHO/SEIU-West Bargaining Bulleting (2nd edition) No. 6
Date: September 16, 2019
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Your SEIU-West bargaining committee met with SAHO and the Saskatchewan Health Authority representatives in Saskatoon on September 11, 12, and 13.
Win of the Week! September 8-14
This week members of SEIU-West Committees - the Aboriginal Committee, Education, Member Organizing, Nursing Care, Political Action & Awareness, Retiree, Worker Safety, Workers of Colour, and Young Workers - gathered in solidarity to prioritize safety as they commit to achieve safer conditions in both the workplace and in our communities. There was a ton of energy in every discussion as committees ensured their focus and goals would be centered on safety. We’re also excited that many members are newly engaging with committee work, which only grows our union’s strength as more members become active in their union. Remember this is YOUR union, and we’re excited for the direction these committees will take us! Be sure to check back on our Committees page for the work that’s being done.
Win of the Week! September 1-7
It is vital that workers have safe work environments so when SEIU-West members identified their workplace as being far too hot due to a dysfunctional air conditioning unit, SEIU-West worked with the members to ensure the employer replaced the air conditioning unit as soon as possible. Occupational Health & Safety issues must be addressed immediately to ensure all those who live, work, and visit workplaces are safe – together, we must stand together for safety!
SEIU-West celebrates Therapy Assistants Week September 15-21!
Therapy Assistants who are members of SEIU-West typically work as Occupational Therapy Assistants and/or Physiotherapy Assistants (OTPT). These members of the health care team work to improve their client’s quality of life by supporting their ability to maximize movement, which contributes significantly to their client’s everyday activities. This vital part of their job rehabilitates their clients to their peak abilities. Another key skill that Therapy Assistants must have is their ability to communicate. Many of their clients have diverse needs, so it is important for Therapy Assistants to recognize these differences and accommodate accordingly.
Therapy Assistants utilize a variety of tools to assist their clients such as tilt tables, parallel bars and lifts, as well as pools due to the benefits of physical movement under water.
The work of Therapy Assistants is fundamental to the health care team as they help improve the confidence and lives of those who they care for.
To show our appreciation of the valuable contributions Therapy Assistants makes to our health care team, we are launching our Therapy Assistants Contest!
To enter, tell us why Therapy Assistants are important to you – whether you’re a coworker or a client, there are so many reasons Therapy Assistants bring value to our lives! Email your answers to [email protected] by September 26, 2019 for your chance to win one of several awesome prizes!
Celebrate Environmental Services Week - September 8-14!
For the week of September 8-14, SEIU-West is proud to celebrate Environmental Services Week!
Environmental Service Workers (ESWs) have a vital role on the health care team. They provide professional services that ensure our health care environments are clean and safe. ESWs understand the importance of infection control for patients, clients, residents and staff, especially in a health care setting. They therefore have the skills to provide quality housekeeping while following infection control practices to reduce the risks to all those who live, work, and visit a health care environment.
The daily responsibilities of ESWs also involves heavy lifting and the use of dangerous substances. They know how to safely handle these everyday challenges while protecting themselves and those around them. We are proud to celebrate the health care heroes that are ESWs and in recognition, we are holding a contest so that you can nominate an ESW who really makes a difference in your workplace. Maybe it is the way they brighten everyone’s day, the incredible job they do, or the care and concern they demonstrate to residents, patients or co-workers.
Please send in your nominations, along with a sentence or two as to why they deserve to win to [email protected] by September 19, 2019. Your nominee could win one of several great prizes!
SALPN Professional Development Day: Apply to have your Registration Costs Covered!
The SALPN 2019 Professional Development Day is being held at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon on October 23, 2019. Please visit this link to find added information. The Education Committee is pleased to sponsor the registration fees for up to fifteen (15) delegates to attend. We will only cover registration costs, and not lost wages, travel costs, and expenses for those members who are selected.
If you are an SEIU-West member working in a LPN classification and you are interested in attending this conference we ask you to:
- Complete this SEIU-West Expression of Interest Application form
- If you are selected, you must send receipt of your registration and a copy of your CEP certificate that will be sent to you following the training
Your completed Expression of Interest (EOI) form must be received in our office on or before September 25, 2019.
Please forward your completed EOI form to:
Colleen Denniss & Brenda Coben, Co-Chairs, Education Committee
#200 – 747 46th Street W, Saskatoon, SK S7L 6A1
Fax: 306-652-1392
Those selected must be a dues paying member in good standing and are required to submit a brief report to the SEIU-West Executive Board through the Education Committee Chairs following the completion of the event. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this regard.
President's Message: What does Labour Day mean to you?
This President's Message will be featured in the Star Phoenix and Leader Post as a special feature for Labour Day.
What does Labour Day mean to you?
For some people, this is back to school time; for others, it’s an unofficial end to summer; but for me, I reflect on the work of our members and the people we serve. I also reflect on the history of our labour movement – where we were, where we are today and what we want to do in the future.
Lately, it’s been a little too easy to vilify unionized workers. I think that’s a cheap and easy target. And it needs to stop.
The benefits that unions have negotiated didn’t happen overnight but over decades. And we work to ensure that the benefits we have negotiated are shared with those who don’t yet have a union: weekends; sick leave; disability insurance; domestic violence leave; improvements to minimum wage… all of these things (and so many more) come from years of negotiations and lobbying by unions of every stripe. All working people put their maximum effort into their job and that needs to be recognized and respected.
Today, all workplaces are changing. There are efficiency efforts; automation; downsizing; or ‘transformational change’ that affects everyone’s ability to bring home a pay cheque, support our families, or even simply to have meaning to our lives. Change is inevitable, but it needs to be thoughtful. Working people are not widgets but they are invested in their workplaces and loyal to their employers. We need to remember that they are a vital resource that is being overlooked in many cases; there needs to be consultation with front line staff who are the experts in their area and can provide valuable insight into improvements.
Trade unions must embrace new forms of technology and new forms of worker organizations to create space for the gig economy and a changing demographic. As a union leader, I believe that there is a way to celebrate and acknowledge our historical work, while embracing a more culturally diverse and technologically advanced workforce.
The future of our province and our labour movement is in the hands of working people. We have an opportunity to join together, have a voice in our workplaces, lobby for improved safety legislation and to improve the minimum wage for both young workers and the under employed. The principles of solidarity, understanding and being our brother’s and sister’s keeper need to be re-affirmed by all of us. These are core values of the labour movement, and the province of Saskatchewan.
I’m personally inviting you to join us in our efforts to improve the lives of working people and their families. Help lead the way to a more just and humane society that welcomes all people, champions dignity and respect, and allows everyone to have a voice on the job and in society.
We’re Stronger Together.
Happy Labour Day!
In solidarity,
Barb Cape
Win of the Week! August 25-31
SEIU-West is happy to share yet another win that demonstrates the power of our union. A member was on leave and returned to work hoping to pick up shifts. However, the member was not getting any calls. When SEIU-West approached the employer about this issue, it turned out the employer was using invalid contact information and was placing blame on the member for not getting back to them. The employer even aimed to terminate the member based on this communication failure but as SEIU-West found out, the employer was not using the formal processes in place to find current contact information, and was rather relying on old data. SEIU-West stressed the importance of using current contact information, and now this member is fully reinstated and receiving calls for shifts. It is vital that we work together to ensure workers have a strong, united voice in the workplace – had this member not had the strength of their union behind them, their livelihood would have been at risk. Please join us in celebrating this important win of the week!