Elmview, Moose Jaw, Parkside, Preston, and Sunset Extendicare Facilities
PLEASE NOTE:
New pay rates are effective April 17, 2022.
Pinned
Regina & District Labour Council Awards Banquet and AGM
SEIU-West is pleased to sponsor up to 3 members to attend the Regina & District Labour Council's 2022 Awards Banquet and Annual General Meeting June 24-25, 2022.
If you would like to attend, your completed Expression of Interest form must be received in our office on or before May 2, 2022 in order to allow us to complete the selection process.
SEIU-West will cover the cost of lost wages, meals, mileage and/or honoraria as applicable for the successful delegates.
Update to Members: March 25, 2022
Dear Members of SEIU-West:
In an effort to keep you all up-to-date on the recent cyber-attack affecting SEIU-West that we first reported to you on March 11, 2022 and updated you on March 15, 2022, we want to provide a further update on where we’re at with this situation.
Update to Members: March 15, 2022
Dear members of SEIU-West:
We are writing you with an important update related to the recent cyber-attack affecting SEIU-West that we first reported to you late last week on March 11, 2022. We promised to provide you with further updates as more information became available.
Here is what we’ve learned to date:
Notice to Members: March 11, 2022
Dear member of SEIU-West:
We are writing to you with important information about a recent cyber-attack affecting SEIU-West. SEIU-West became aware of this cyber-attack on March, 10 2022, which is believed to have occurred early in the morning of March 10, 2022.
Extendicare Canada Inc. (ECI) Bargaining Update No. 7
Date: March 7, 2022
Greetings Brothers and Sisters who work at Extendicare Canada’s Elmview, Preston, Moose Jaw, Parkside, and Sunset facilities:
We wanted to update you regarding the implementation of the new collective agreement you approved in January, as well as regarding the transfer of these facilities to the SHA.
SAHO/SEIU-West Bargaining Bulletin (2nd Edition) No. 24
Date: March 4, 2022
Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
At long last, we can confirm that our collective agreement is finalized and at the printer!
Why the heck did it take so long? Even though we had agreed to and ratified Memorandums of Agreement “A” and “B”, there were issues with the way certain parts were written by the Employer and SAHO that had to be resolved. There were edits and grammatical corrections that we had to fix and ensure that the document was legally and grammatically sound before we could ship it to the printer. Then there was the changes that needed to be made as a result of combining the two Memorandums of Agreement into one CBA.
The first copies of the CBA are being printed now, and the printer has offered to schedule distribution to our three offices. This is a large document that will take time to print and bind. We anticipate having hard copies available mid-March which we will arrange to be delivered to your facilities for distribution by your unit executive.
While you wait for a hard copy, you can find the PDF of the collective agreement and related updates on the SAHO page: https://bit.ly/3pA9mW2.
If your unit doesn’t have a unit executive, reach out to the Member Resource Center at 1-888-999-7348 Ext 2298 or email us at [email protected] or use the contact form on the website so we can talk to you about taking on the role of communicator, shop steward or unit chair so that we can continue to build and strengthen our union!
Media Release: Health Care Provider Unions Denounce Premier Scott Moe's Move to Extend Emergency Order
February 25, 2022
For Immediate Release
The Saskatchewan government’s extension of the provincial emergency order demonstrates how deeply out of touch they are with the reality facing health care workers, according to CUPE 5430, SEIU-West and SGEU who represent Saskatchewan health care providers around the province.
Federal Funding for Health Needs Stronger Conditions Provinces Must Meet
Open Letter to Premier Moe: Saskatchewan's Frontline Workers Call on Government to Protect Vital Services
On January 20, 2022 SEIU-West, the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL), the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation (STF), the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN), SGEU and CUPE Saskatchewan joined together to call on the Government of Saskatchewan to protect our healthcare and education systems and other vital public services from the Omicron wave by immediately following the advice of Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab. The presidents of these six organizations held an unprecedented joint news conference. Today, the joint open letter below was sent to Premier Scott Moe, calling for a a public health order to:
- Limit gathering sizes to a maximum of 10 people.
- Limit the frequency of gathering and establish a consistent “bubble” of close contacts.
- Limit non-school and non-work contacts.
- Limit non-essential travel between communities.
Extendicare Canada Inc. (ECI) Bargaining Update No. 6
Date: January 6, 2022
Greetings Brothers and Sisters:
The SEIU-West members who work at Extendicare Canada’s Elmview, Preston, Moose Jaw, Parkside, and Sunset facilities have voted in favour of the tentative agreement by 85.6%.
November 15, 2021 Update: SHA Proof of Vaccination Policy
SEIU-West and other unions asked the following questions.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) provided the responses.
This document simply communicates the responses of the SHA, and is in no way to be taken that SEIU-West agrees with or endorses the SHA responses.
SEIU-West Guidance On Non-SHA Employer Policies Re Proof Of Covid-19 Vaccination
SEIU-WEST GUIDANCE ON NON-SHA EMPLOYER POLICIES RE PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION
November 12, 2021
On October 1, 2021, the Saskatchewan Government authorized all employers to require that their employees prove that either:
- They are fully-vaccinated against COVID; or
- Have had a recent negative COVID test.
SEIU-West’s responsibility as a union is to represent our membership’s rights, in a manner free from arbitrariness, bias or unreasonableness.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic SEIU-West has worked to address our members’ pandemic-related questions, needs, and concerns. We’ve made employers, the government and the public take notice of the vital service you’ve provided throughout the pandemic. We’ve fought to ensure you have access to appropriate personal protective equipment and mental health supports.
While the healthcare sector (Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and affiliates) has been a focus (see for example our guidance on SHA COVID vaccination policies here) we want to make clear that we also continue to represent the interests of our members in education, retirement homes, community based organizations (CBOs), light industrial and allied sectors.
The following is meant as general guidance about employer vaccination policies for SEIU-West members working for non-SHA employers. It is based on questions we have received from members, our review of employer policies, and relevant legal authorities. We will update this document if and when we receive further information. Because the details and application of an employer’s COVID vaccination policy vary from one employer to another, please contact the Member Resource Centre (MRC) at 1-888-999-7348 Ext 2298 or [email protected] if you have specific questions.
MEDIA RELEASE: Public Health Care Facilities Need Public Security
For Immediate Release—July 16, 2018
Saskatoon – SEIU-West announces the release of Our House Needs In-House, SEIU-West’s response to the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s (SHA’s) ongoing provincial security services review.
“The evidence is clear,” said Barbara Cape, President of SEIU-West. “The best way to keep patients, staff, and visitors safe in Saskatchewan’s health care facilities is for the SHA to hire and train its own in-house security teams.”
On July 13th SEIU-West submitted Our House Needs In-House to SHA CEO Scott Livingstone, Health Minister Jim Reiter, and several other health system leaders. (Click here to read SEIU-West President Barbara Cape’s submission letter.)
In recent years, Saskatchewan’s health authorities have reviewed health system services like laundry, information technology, and food services, in order to assess their potential for privatization.
“Our members are concerned that yet another vital piece of our public health care system is about to be privatized,” said Cape.
The SHA launched its security review this spring. The consultant hired to conduct the review was previously in charge of security for Alberta’s provincial health authority. While he was in charge, in-house officer numbers were cut, and services were contracted out to a large private security firm.
“Healthcare security is uniquely challenging,” Cape continued. “It’s different than mall security. It’s much too important to the SHA’s mission to just be contracted out to the lowest bidder.”
SEIU-West represents the 100 SHA-employed Security Officers who work at the three Saskatoon hospitals and Parkridge Centre.
As reported in Our House Needs In-House, SEIU-West surveyed SHA employees and members of the public in the Saskatoon region about the state of security at the three Saskatoon hospitals and Parkridge Centre. More than 90% of respondents felt that these facilities have greater security needs than others in the province, and that those needs have risen in the past five years.
“We heard from nurses, care assistants, housekeeping staff, members of the public,” Cape added. “They told us loud and clear: when an incident happens, they trust our in-house teams more than any outside contractor to provide a quick and professional response.”
SEIU-West represents more than 13,000 working people in the province of Saskatchewan. They include members who work in health care, education, municipalities, community-based organizations, retirement homes and other sectors. They are joined by one colour – purple – and one union – SEIU-West. Purple works in our communities!
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Win of the Week! July 8–14
This week we are continuing to celebrate successful negotiations by our Union Representatives in the CBO sector! Once again, a member was dealing with an unfair employer who unjustly terminated them. This member filed a grievance which led to compensation for their lost time during the unjust termination. We are glad to serve our members by improving their rights and working conditions. Indeed, we are stronger together!
Laurie - Security Officer at RUH
"Sometimes it doesn’t take much to make a difference in someone’s life.”
SAHO Bargaining Update Road Show
SEIU-West bargaining committee members will be holding member meetings in various locations across Saskatchewan in the former Cypress, Five Hills, Heartland, and Saskatoon Health Regions starting the week of July 16, 2018.
Celebrate World Population Day – July 11!
Today we celebrate the freedom to choose or not to choose having a family. Family Planning is a Human Right is the theme for the United Nations 2018 World Population Day.
The main focus is to ensure that everyone has access to quality information about reproductive health including but not limited to birth control, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) pre- and post-natal care, birthing process, adoption, and other family planning matters.
Win of the Week! July 1–7
Another member in the CBO sector is celebrating a win this week after fighting their arbitrary termination. This member decided they did not want to continue working for this unfair employer. The Union Representative was successful in negotiating a resolve that saw the member resign but receive compensation for their lost time. With bosses like these in the community based organizations, it’s no wonder why we see the turnover we do in the sector. Together, under the Purple banner, SEIU-West members are improving the rights of CBO workers and the quality for care for patients and residents throughout the province.
Purple Gets A New Look!
Purple Gets A New Look!
OH&S Conference Opportunity: Apply Now!
CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT: OH&S Conference Opportunity: Deadline Passed
Win of the Week! June 24 – 30
Another Win in the CBO sector!
A termination-eager employer in the CBO sector recently re-learned, through the grievance process, that they require cause to terminate. We congratulate our member for fighting this unjust termination and highlighting the importance of professional front-line staff in this sensitive sector while showing they will not be intimidated from standing up for their negotiated rights!
President's Message: Cape's Corner - Summer 2018
Our Union’s broad membership sees many different challenges, including underfunding of public services, short-staffing, and threats of privatization. We continue to push back against these challenges so that our members can continue to provide quality services to the highest standards of professionalism. How do we push back? With broad-based campaigns that incorporate all of our members and our solidarity within the labour movement.
Joint Bargaining Update: Coalition Unions will not be intimidated by SAHO
June 27, 2018
Your SEIU-West, SGEU, and CUPE bargaining committees resumed bargaining on June 21, continued bargaining through the weekend, and went late into the evening of June 25.
The Unions and SAHO exchanged proposals on extended health and dental plan funding, joint trusteeship process for the benefit plans, and monetary issues related to general wage increases.
The Union Coalition felt momentum building and was hopeful that a tentative agreement would be reached. However, on the evening of June 25, the positive tone at the table quickly turned. SAHO and the Ministry of Health questioned whether your bargaining committees were committed to reaching an agreement. SAHO made comments that the Coalition was delaying the process and splitting hairs. What this translates into for our membership is that we are not willing to sell out our hard-earned collective agreement protections and benefits to get a deal.
We were close to language that would help us to get joint trusteeship of all of our benefits plans; this is incredibly important in order to ensure the health and long-term viability of these plans. It should be noted that joint governance will be a requirement of the Canada Revenue Agency in 2019, and this joint trusteeship will help both our benefit plans and members by significantly reducing plan taxation liabilities.
Your coalition bargaining committee put forward a proposal on a general wage increase that we believe was fair and reasonable. It took into consideration fiscal restraint of the province. But we were told that we hadn’t moved enough! SAHO and the Government of Saskatchewan have offered health providers less than other public sector workers – yet they are demanding concessions.
It is clear that the government wants to end the 100% employer funding commitment for our Extended Health and Enhanced Dental Plan (EHD) plan and push some of the costs onto you. We believe that the Coalition’s unwillingness to agree to rollback the funding to the EHD plan has triggered SAHO and the Government of Saskatchewan to change their mood. SAHO ended the meeting until further notice. There are currently no scheduled bargaining dates. SAHO did not accept our suggestion to access voluntary mediation to assist in concluding a reasonable collective agreement.
It is clear the Government of Saskatchewan is very much involved in this bargaining process. Please continue contacting your MLAs, Minister of Health Jim Reiter, and Minister of Rural and Remote Health Greg Ottenbreit to insist they treat health care providers fairly and with respect.
Jim Reiter – Ministry phone number: 306.787.7345; Constituency Office number: 306.882.4105
Greg Ottenbreit – Ministry phone number: 306.798.9014; Constituency Office number: 306.783.7275
We’ve informed SAHO that we are going to meet with our members to get clear direction. Please watch for notices of upcoming meetings in your area.
In solidarity,
SEIU-West, SGEU, and CUPE
Celebrate Multiculturalism and Canada Day!
On June 27th we celebrate Multiculturalism Day! Canadians have an international reputation for their cultural diversity that brings all people together. We are renowned for having a better understanding and better supports for people representing minority groups in Canada and beyond.