As most of us know, the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, has declared the day of the Queen’s funeral—Monday, September 19—as a day of mourning and has granted federal staff a day off. He has encouraged federally regulated employers to provide a day off and has asked the provinces to do the same. The province of Saskatchewan has decided not to declare September 19 a provincial holiday or to grant provincial employees the day off.
Pinned
Joint Media Release: Health care provider unions concerned about new health care recruitment Crown: more red tape is not the answer
For Immediate Release - September 1, 2022
REGINA: The unions representing health care providers in Saskatchewan are questioning the creation of the Saskatchewan Health Care Recruitment Agency.
Media Release: Private "Temp" Agencies Won't Solve Health System Understaffing
Saskatchewan – Late last week, amid facility closures and service disruptions across the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), the SHA quietly released a troubling measure to respond to “staff shortages”.
Executive Board Vacancies
Do you want to be more involved in the governance of your Union? Do you have a unique voice to lend to the Executive Board? Here's your chance!
SAHO/ECI Bargaining Survey 2022
It is time for the 2022 SEIU-West SAHO/ECI Bargaining Survey!
This survey is for SEIU-West members who work at (or are on leave from) a Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) or SHA-affiliated workplace or program, including Extendicare.
SENIORITY TOWNHALL – Q & A – SEIUWEST/SAHO collective agreement
On June 7, SEIU-West held a virtual townhall to talk with SHA members about the Letter of Understanding (LOU) that changes our hours-based seniority system to a seniority date system. The difference is that all hours-based seniority will begin to be transferred to a seniority date.
Extendicare Pay Rate Update
Elmview, Moose Jaw, Parkside, Preston, and Sunset Extendicare Facilities
PLEASE NOTE:
New pay rates are effective April 17, 2022.
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!
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.
Media Advisory: In Loving Memory Of...
For Immediate Release - August 20, 2018
Saskatoon – On Tuesday, August 21, members of the SEIU-West Young Workers Committee (YWC) are holding a “memorial service” for our public services at Kinsmen Park in Saskatoon to demonstrate the high level of cuts and public service closures in Saskatchewan.
Win of the Week! August 12-18
This week SEIU-West celebrates a great win in the Community Based Organization (CBO) sector! A serious incident occurred to one of our members at work. This led to them completing an incident report. The employer subsequently altered the incident report and sent it to the specific organization that deals with such reports. Our member advised the Union that the report had been altered, therefore, the Union sent an email advising the employer that they cannot alter incident reports and insisted the employer send in the original incident report. The employer has now undertaken to submit the original report and ensured that this will not occur again in the future!
Race For The Cure – Group Contest!
SEIU-West is pleased to announce a group contest for upcoming event – Race For The Cure at the Wyant Group Raceway on August 25th at 6 pm, so act quick!
To participate, send us a picture of you and your workplace ‘pit crew’ (you know those people you rely on every day so you can win your workplace race) and come up with a name for your racing pit crew team.
Be creative! And involve as many colleagues at work as you can, since all of you will be entered for a chance to win.
The group that wins will get 10 tickets to enjoy the race from a Chalet (courtesy of CTV Saskatoon).
Maybe it will be your pit crew? You can take your family, colleagues and friends to the race.
Send your pictures and your pit crew name to [email protected] by August 21, 2018 for a chance to win!
Win of the Week! August 5-11
SEIU-West is celebrating a huge win in the health care sector! Our union filed a grievance a few years ago as an employer would not accommodate our member. The employer thought they could wait for an open position for the accommodation, yet this severely impacted the member. Thanks to the hard work of this member and their union, the matter was settled under a Human Rights Complaint which resulted in a generous compensation for our member.
Win of the Week! July 29 - August 4
SEIU-West is celebrating another successful outcome in a grievance process in the Community Based Organization sector. While one of our members was on medical leave, the employer hired an out-of-scope person for the position instead of posting a full-time in-scope position. In order to resolve the issue, the Employer will post a full-time in-scope position. From this we can learn a valuable lesson - take action! When an employer fails to follow proper procedures, we must hold them accountable. When members take action, with the help of the union, together we can ensure fair treatment of our members!
WEST PARK CROSSING, BARGAINING BULLETIN NO. 2: August 2, 2018
Date: August 2, 2018
Location: Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Greetings Sisters and Brothers:
SEIU-West has contacted the employer to inform them of your recent ‘No’ vote on the Tentative Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Thank you for your application!
Purple is Everywhere – Advertising!
For the first time ever, SEIU-West developed two professional TV commercials in 2015 – one highlighted our members with our Purple Works campaign, and the other encouraged non-unionized workers to SEIU-West in order to achieve fairness in their workplace.
Here are some of our videos below, and don't forget to subscribe SEIU-West on YouTube!
Win of the Week! July 22-28
SEIU-West is celebrating another victory in health care this week as yet again we acted to correct an oversight by the Health Authority. This time they underpaid a member by shortchanging them on their overtime hours. After pointing out the facts in a meeting with the Employer, the SEIU-West member was paid in full and the issue was resolved. It’s a good reminder to keep checking to make sure you are getting paid according to the Collective Agreement for the hours you’ve worked. When there is a potential discrepancy, call the MRC and we can fight together because We’re Stronger Together!
West Park Crossing, Bargaining Bulletin No. 1: July 25, 2018
Date: July 25, 2018
Location: Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Greetings Sisters and Brothers:
The SEIU-West Bargaining Committee reached a first tentative agreement with the Employer on July 19, 2018. A ratification vote was held on July 25, 2018.
International Self-Care Day – July 24!
We often get so busy we forget to take care of ourselves and end up having too much stress in our lives. Most of us can relate to this reality. This is why SEIU-West is celebrating International Self-Care Day! This day is earmarked for us to take time for ourselves.
There are many definitions of Self-Care. Something simple like visiting your doctor is also considered to be self-care. Here is a definition provided by World Health Organization: ‘Self-Care is what people do for themselves to establish and maintain health, and to prevent and deal with illness. It is a broad concept encompassing hygiene (general and personal), nutrition (type and quality of food eaten), lifestyle (sporting activities, leisure etc.), environmental factors (living conditions, social habits, etc.) socio-economic factors (income level, cultural beliefs, etc.) and self-medication.’ For more information on Self-Care you can visit the official website of the International Self-Care Foundation.
Here are seven pillars of Self-Care provided by International Self-Care Foundation:
- Health literacy – includes: the capacity of individuals to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions;
- Mental wellbeing, Self-awareness & Agency – includes: knowing your body mass index (BMI), cholesterol level, blood pressure, and engaging in health screening;
- Physical activity – practicing moderate intensity physical activity such as walking, cycling, or participating in sports at a desirable frequency;
- Healthy eating – includes: having a nutritious, balanced diet with appropriate levels of calorie intake;
- Risk avoidance or mitigation – includes: quitting tobacco, limiting alcohol use, getting vaccinated, practicing safe sex, using sunscreens;
- Good hygiene – includes: washing hands regularly, brushing teeth, and washing food; and
- Rational and responsible use of products, services, diagnostics and medicines – includes: being aware of dangers, using responsibly when necessary.
Contest!
To celebrate International Self-Care Day, SEIU-West is inviting you to participate in this word search puzzle! Send the complete puzzle to [email protected] and be entered to win tickets to the Regina Folk Festival 2018. There cannot be anything better than Self-Care through music.
The deadline to enter into the ticket draw is August 3rd! One winner will be selected to receive a pair of tickets for a fun weekend at the festival, so make sure you send in those completed puzzles before the deadline!
Virtual Town Hall: SAHO and Extendicare Bargaining Meetings in August
If you are an SEIU-West member who works in health care, you should receive a phone call from your president, Barbara Cape on August 14, 2018 inviting you to take part in our upcoming Virtual Town Hall SAHO and Extendicare bargaining meetings that are happening on August 15, 2018 at 7pm, and August 16, 2018 at 2pm!
The number that appears on your phone should be our Member Resource Centre (MRC) toll-free number 1.888.999.7348. If you do not receive this call and want to be involved in this telephone town hall, please call the MRC at 1.888.999.7348.
Please join us for an update on bargaining and to provide your input as to next steps to guide our SEIU-West bargaining team.
Thanks!