In early December, the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board (the LRB) issued a decision about the five former Extendicare facilities. The decision was based on an interpretation of the regulations that governed a previous restructuring of the healthcare system in 1997, commonly called the ‘Dorsey regulations’. In that decision, the Saskatoon and Moose Jaw facilities remain within the SEIU-West family. However, the 3 Regina-based facilities were moved, without a vote of the membership, into the CUPE 5430 jurisdiction.
Pinned
Notice to Members in the Education Sector - Re: STF Strike
January 12, 2024
Good afternoon,
As you may have heard, the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) has announced that its members across Saskatchewan will be conducting a one-day strike on Tuesday, January 16th.
SEIU-West Education Support Staff Stands with the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation
The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (the STF) has been bargaining with the Government and Trustee bargaining committee. They have reached an impasse and are unable to make any progress. The STF has notified their members that they will be holding a vote on sanctions against their employer.
Convention 2023: Constitutional Amendments
The following Constitutional Amendments were debated, voted on, and passed during Convention:
Unionism in Practice: Online Application
Unionism in Practice is designed for any steward or unit officer who has completed a minimum of Shop Steward – Level 1. This one day course to be held in October in Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, and Swift Current will provide sessions on Union principles and tips for meeting with management and grievance handling. We are also providing a session on healthy workplaces and mental health issues in the work place.
The deadline to apply has passed.
Win of the Week! August 11-17
This week, our union found out (through the media) that the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) was planning to provide a ‘Whistleblower Hotline’ service. With reporting services already in place, this was an unnecessary and costly step that did not address the major issue in health care – understaffing. As a result, SEIU-West also went to the media to share our serious concerns (you can read our media release here) about how the costs associated with this Hotline should be used as resources towards front line care. Later that day, the SHA withdrew the Hotline proposal thanks to our push-back. This week’s win is yet another example demonstrating that when we fight, we win!
Media Release: Whistleblower Line
For Immediate Release: August 14, 2019
Saskatoon – Members of SEIU-West were surprised to learn that on August 12, 2019, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) posted a request for proposal (RFP) on SaskTenders for the provision of a “Whistleblower Hotline” service.
Win of the Week! August 4-10
SEIU-West is pleased to share another wonderful win this week! A member was not called in for an overtime shift even though their seniority meant they should have been called. SEIU-West initiated step 1 of the grievance process and almost immediately, that member was made whole. This member is very happy with the outcome and so are we!
International Youth Day: August 12
Each year International Youth Day is recognized August 12 and SEIU-West is proud to share that we stand with young workers in our union and communities. We know they are experiencing soaring rent, tuition, inequality, and the growth of precarious work among many other struggles. Our Young Workers Committee is very active in raising awareness and taking action on these issues - we're proud of the work they do and are excited for their future efforts! Check out the Young Workers Committee page to read their latest 'Shining A Light On' articles which focus on issues like mental health: https://www.seiuwest.ca/young_workers
SAHO/SEIU-West Bargaining Bulletin (2nd edition) No. 4
YWCA Saskatoon: Bargaining Update No. 1
Saskatoon, July 29, 2019
Click here to download a printable PDF file of YWCA Saskatoon: Bargaining Update No. 1
Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
Your SEIU-West bargaining committee wants to take this opportunity to thank all members who participated in the July 17 to 26 ratification vote on the tentative memorandum of agreement. We especially appreciated your questions and comments about the Employer’s offer. The votes have been counted and the Employer’s offer has been rejected by an overwhelming majority.
Win of the Week! July 28-August 3
This week a member notified their Shop Steward to an issue regarding their pay. The member’s employer did not recognize their previous experience within and outside the Saskatchewan Health Authority, and rather started the member at Step 1 of the pay scale in their classification. After a first-step grievance meeting with the member’s Steward and Employer, the Employer changed the member’s initial pay to Step 2 due to their work experience, as per the language in our Collective Agreement. This member is delighted and we are also delighted to share the good news!
Meadow Lake Primary Health Centre: Bargaining Update No. 1
Meadow Lake, July 30, 2019
Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
Your SEIU-West bargaining committee met with representatives from SAHO and the Saskatchewan Health Authority on June 11 and 12 and July 23, 24, and 25, 2019 to bargain for a collective agreement.
Win of the Week! July 21-27
SEIU-West members are constantly doing more with less and face workload issues on a daily basis. So for this week’s win, we’re so happy to share a win related to workload. Members who work in a Community Based Organization (CBO) were struggling to ensure the quality of care they wanted to provide for clients due to workload. TLR (transferring, lifting, repositioning) was a particular struggle and they needed to add another shift to properly complete this task. These members therefore called their Union Representative who then called the Employer – these members also met with their Employer soon after to talk about their concerns. As a result of their initiative, the Employer added the requested coverage and this change went into effect just a few days after their meeting. While we struggle to address workload across the province, it’s important that we celebrate wins in order to encourage further action to address workload issues. When we fight back together, we win together!
Win of the Week! July 14-20
In order to support our SEIU-West bargaining team in their negotiations with SAHO, the Provincial Contract Action Team (ProCat) has been engaging with members to support our new campaign about understaffing and the need to ensure fairness for health care providers (www.EndUnderstaffing.ca and www.BeFairToThoseWhoCare.ca). ProCat members have communicated the high level of community support for our campaign as the public understands the crisis of understaffing in health care and the efforts that must be made to retain and recruit health care providers. At these meetings or BBQs, family members have shared their first-hand views of health care workers doing more with less – they want to see increased staffing levels for both their loved ones and the workers who take good care of their family members. Many have asked for campaign materials to share with their friends and families, and many have said they’ll be sending a letter to their MLA on our campaign websites as well. This is an important win because it is vital for all people – whether a health care provider or a member of the community – to support our health care system and those who work within it. Be sure to share our campaign far and wide – there is strength in numbers!
Experiencing Prairie School for Union Women
This letter was written by SEIU-West member, Lyse. She was one of the lucky members to be selected as a delegate to the 2019 Prairie School for Union Women - you can read about her wonderful experiences below:
Prairie School for Union Women (PSUW) is something all women should have the privilege to attend. A strong objective of the school is gaining knowledge in many different areas, it is also a place where women support and raise each other up in a safe environment.
My experience started when I picked up a union sister in Regina. It was refreshing to connect with someone who was not only involved in her union, she was also very positive. Our journey continued to Saskatoon where we met the PSUW bus that would be taking us the school in Waskesiu Lake, located in beautiful Prince Albert National Park.
After checking in and meeting my roommate for the next four nights, we made our way to the community for dinner and the official opening of this year’s school. I was amazed to see many enthusiastic women of all ages and backgrounds.
The following three and a half days, I participated in the session “Women Speaking Up”. As someone who lacks confidence to share her ideas and speak up, this session was a great fit and allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and take part and something that I would normally avoid, Public Speaking.
At the end of each day I was able to connect with many of the participants along with participating in all that the location had to offer. From an interactive talk about bison, to a pontoon tour of some lakes and even the viewing of a yet to be released movie about the strike in Winnipeg that occurred 100 years ago. There was always something valuable to do.
The closing banquet was held on the last evening. It was great to see all the women participating and cheering each other on. It was a very emotional and an empowering evening. Besides my experience with Girl Guides, I have never seen an environment where women support each other at that level.
I thank SEIU-West for this opportunity. From the great arrival package provided to the great women I was able to meet from our union, I am truly appreciative. Moving forward I can’t wait to see the opportunities in learning, networking and supporting what SEIU-West has to offer.
Your Union Sister,
Lyse
Be sure to look out for 2020 Prairie School for Women opportunities!