For Immediate Release
November 6, 2023
Pinned
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.
Join the JJE Maintenance Committee
SEIU-West is looking to train and support a member who is interested in participating in the Joint Job Evaluation Maintenance Committee as an alternate. We want to broaden the skill set of our member leaders and activists and are posting for this position.
Extendicare - SHA Transition: October 11, 2023
Re: Parties' Closing Arguments Regarding the SEIU-West Successorship Application
On September 29, the final arguments from SEIU-West, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (the SHA), CUPE and SGEU were heard by the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board (SLRB) on SEIU-West’s successorship application to continue to represent the members of SEIU-West at the Extendicare facilities in Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, and the three Extendicare facilities in Regina.
President's Message: Labour Day 2023
Labour Day is a day for us to pause and celebrate the contributions of working people to our society. Not only for those who are in a trade union, but for every worker.
Build Power, Win Justice
The SEIU-West Political Action & Education Department is pleased to invite members to apply for the first ever Build Power, Win Justice two-day conference, taking place at Living Skies Casino in Swift Current on October 18 and 19th, 2023. Interested members can apply by completing this application form.
Convention 2023: Recap
SEIU-West 2023 Convention took place in Saskatoon May 30 - June 1. Below is a summary of some key changes members should be aware of.
Media Release: Public Healthcare for All!
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.
Extendicare - SHA Transition: April 14, 2023
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
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.
Save the Date! Virtual Town Hall April 9, 2019
We’re excited to announce another two live and interactive virtual town hall (VTH) meetings for our health care sector members.
SEIU-West/SAHO Tentative Agreement Advance Poll
SEIU-West members who are eligible to vote on the SAHO Tentative Agreement (TA) are invited to cast their ballot in advance at any of SEIU-West’s offices (see location information below) on April 11, 2019.
Polls will be open from 7:00 am until 5:00 pm.
Win of the Week! March 24-30
An employer at a health care facility wanted to enact a change that would result in housekeeping and maintenance departments losing their carts – something our members value as a tool in completing their work. SEIU-West held a meeting about these member concerns and staff were recently informed the carts would stay. Better yet, staff will now work with residents to paint the carts! This is a great win that benefits residents and their health care providers.
Have a win you’d like to share? Email [email protected] to share the good news!
Shining A Light On: 'Man Up Against Violence' Campaign
By Cassidy Stynsky, Young Worker Committee Member
The SEIU-West Young Workers Committee (YWC) is shining a light on issues that often get pushed into the shadows and aims to break down stigma associated with important issues in our communities. In the last installment, the YWC shone a light on domestic violence.
Not only is the YWC shining the light on the campaign Man Up, we are hoping members of SEIU-West will join us in our mission to help redefine what it means to Man Up.
If you don’t know, Man Up is a global challenge and movement that is trying to redefine, reconstruct, and educate society on all types of violence.
With this movement, organizers are educating and working with youth on how to stop gender-based violence, while also promoting gender equality.
The initiative of Man Up is to challenge the stigma, educate, and confront the effects of hyper-masculinity in society.
The YWC has chosen this campaign due to our belief that enforced gender roles should be challenged – it’s okay to be who you are without societal pressures dictating how you should behave.
Man Up hosts and connects with many organizations to provide a voice and education on how to reduce and stop violence – whether it be in the workplace or elsewhere.
This movement is important for all SEIU-West workplaces whether you’re male, female or however you identify; we should be respectful and eliminate violence.
Educating each other on how to redefine what it means to Man Up will improve – if not challenge – those who have experienced violence to use their voice and advocate for those who may feel trapped.
For more information, visit https://www.manupcampaign.org/
Rights for One, Rights for All!
By Cameron R. Goodfellow, Registered Technologist Nuclear Medicine (RTNM) & Member of SEIU-West
By day I work alongside many of you in Saskatoon as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist. I recently became more involved with our
Union as a Shop Steward and I put my name forward to be the SEIU-West representative on the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) Pride and Solidarity Committee. In my spare time, I volunteer on the Board of Saskatoon Diversity Network (SDN), the group that plans the local Pride Festival in Saskatoon.
At the beginning of February, I had an opportunity to attend the Fierte Canada Pride (FCP) Conference in Ottawa. FCP is an organization of Pride Festivals across Canada from coast-to-coast-to-coast that hosts an Annual Conference. This year, Ottawa played host and also enabled Pride Organizations a day of meeting MPs on Parliament Hill to advocate and lobby for strengthening the role of the LGBTQ+ Secretariat. The conference itself consisted of panel discussions on various topics but a first for the FCP Conference was a panel discussion on the Role of Labour and Unions with Pride. Though very Ontario-centric, UFCW and OPSEU were invited to give presentations on how Labour and Pride are not separate entities. Rather, the rights for one are the rights for all.
The one takeaway that I want to stress is how important an annual conference like the FCP is. It is an opportunity for Prides to come together and share their experiences and you learn a lot of different things. Montreal actually has the largest budget in the country, Vancouver gets charged excessive municipal fees, and Saskatoon has one of the better relationships with police in the country.
Personally, I would love to see more involvement of Saskatchewan unions in Pride events this year. Saskatoon Pride Festival takes place June 14-22, 2019. Email [email protected] for more information.
Connecting for Reconciliation
Have you ever thought: “I support reconciliation. I want to do my part, but I’m not sure what to do?”
If so, Reconciliation Saskatoon has put together the ConnectR website (www.beaconnectr.org). It’s an excellent interactive tool for people looking to find a way to help build better relationships between Canada’s Indigenous and settler communities. Its motto nicely describes how it works: “Choose your next step”. There are four “paths”: Spirit, Head, Heart, and Body. Clicking on a path takes you to suggested actions like “Attend a cultural event at your local friendship centre,” “Learn Indigenous teachings about plants,” and “Support Indigenous artisans online.” Each suggestion includes links to further information. You can also access this information by clicking one of the “Themes”, such as “Current Events”, “Facts and Figures”, and “Safe Spaces”.
ConnectR is the latest project of Reconciliation Saskatoon, a partnership of about 100 organizations, including the Office of the Treaty Commissioner, the City of Saskatoon, the Saskatoon Tribal Council, and the Central Urban Métis Federation. Some of the information is Saskatoon-specific, but most of it is useful wherever you live in Saskatchewan.
Check it out. It works well on cellphones too!
Spring 2019: Member of Distinction
Member of Distinction Spring 2019: Corrine Dale
It is always a pleasure seeing the compassion SEIU-West members possess each and every day; not only in the work that they do 
but in their private lives as well. They give back to their community in so many ways. We were reminded of that again when I was in Humboldt. Corrine Dale is an example of an everyday hero in SEIU-West. She donated a part of her liver to help a young boy whom she did not know or had any previous connection with. She only understood the need and responded with a part of herself so as to enhance someone else’s life. The courage this took is just another example of the kindness our members share in the community. The world is a better place because of Corrine. Thank You!
Cape's Corner Spring 2019
Written by President Barb Cape
Workplace safety has always been paramount within SEIU-West, regardless of whether you work in education, municipalities, retirement homes, community based organizations or health care. Coming home from work safe is one of the things that drives the work and the campaigns that we do as a union. But what if going home isn’t safe? What if the dangerous conditions aren’t at work,
but are present at home?
Domestic violence IS a union issue…because it doesn’t just stay at home. It follows you mentally, emotionally, physically, and everywhere. It’s not only the pain, exhaustion, or fear, but the abuser can also stalk, intimidate, and threaten the safety of the workplace. An abuser’s presence is a part of the personal and working life of our members who are experiencing domestic violence.
Let’s not kid ourselves, there is stigma attached to domestic violence. And that is simply wrong; we don’t know what others are experiencing or what their world is like, and we know domestic violence rates are high in Saskatchewan. So when we suspect domestic violence, our job as union members should be to support our co-worker; provide a safe person to talk to; and assist in finding help or resources. Our questions shouldn’t be ‘why didn’t they leave?' it should be ‘what can I do to help?’
Domestic violence has gained more awareness in recent years because we need to talk about this issue; there is no hiding from it. It is wrong, unacceptable, and we need to work together to put an end to it. Abusers rely on silence and stigma in order to keep control and continue their behavior; as a union, it is our duty to support our members at work, at home and in the community.
To that end, we provide a two-day Domestic Violence Workshop to ensure our members in the workplace have the knowledge and skills to be an ally and support to survivors; our Young Worker Committee has lobbied the provincial government to provide paid leave for survivors of Domestic Violence; and we have a suggested protocol for what happens when this is disclosed to the employer, including the development of a safety plan for the member, providing professional resources, and tools for the member to take control of the situation.
If you are looking for help or resources, please call the Member Resource Center Centre (MRC) 1-888-999-7348 ext. 2298 who will work to assist. Remember, we’re not only stronger together, but safer as well.
Win of the Week! March 17-23
Recently, an employer was found to be promising a position to a member who had less seniority than other candidates eligible for the position. This resulted in a meeting with SEIU-West who demonstrated that many eligible members with more seniority did not even get an interview. The position was re-posted and more interviews took place - as a result, the member with the most seniority was awarded the position! SEIU-West is all about fairness and protecting the rights of workers – we are proud to celebrate this win!
Have a win you’d like to share? Email [email protected] to share the good news!
MEDIA RELEASE: “Right Balance” Budget Ignores Front Line Needs
For Immediate Release, March 21, 2019
Regina – The Saskatchewan government’s budget, released yesterday, ignores a growing crisis that threatens Saskatchewan’s ability to meet the needs of patients, long-term care residents, students, and their families.
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - March 21
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed March 21st yet every day, each and every one of us must stand up to racism.
Racism is not unique to any particular society, it prevails in our communities across the world. Racism is also prevalent in the workplace and due to the growing frustration with our economy, we see the threat of division rising. Yet the decision-makers and influencers who benefit from exploitation want us to pit ourselves against each other – because when we recognize and understand that it is the majority of us who are experiencing poverty and inequality, decision-makers and influencers know they are outnumbered. Racism is dangerous and highly divisive so we must confront racial discrimination and stop it in its tracks before the situation is manipulated – if you hear someone say ‘immigrants are taking our jobs’, that’s discrimination, and it must be confronted. These type of phrases inflame the conditions of racism – left untreated, the future is bleak for us all. We cannot allow racist and discriminatory feelings and sentiments to be deemed acceptable.
In our communities, anti-immigrant protests are on the rise and Islamophobia is resulting in horrendous violence so now, more than ever, we must bring people together across the country to #UniteAgainstRacism – there are many Saskatchewan events in recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and we encourage you to join:
- Racism in the Healthcare System: Yin Paradies & Rose Roberts – Join the College of Medicine, Division of Social Accountability, where this presentation will begin by defining racism and its various manifestations, followed by an overview of how racism can impact the provision of healthcare, including contributing to health disparities for minority groups. To conclude, strategies for responding to racism as healthcare providers, in the health system and in society more generally will be discussed. WHEN: March 21 from 12:30-1:30pm at the Saskatoon Health Sciences Building GB03. Click here for the Facebook event.
- Solidarity Vigil for Christchurch - Join us for a vigil in solidarity with and in honour of the victims who lost their lives in two shootings at Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand last Friday. WHEN: March 21 at Regina City Hall from 6:00-7:00pm. Click here for the Facebook event.
- Interfaith Reflections & Prayers for New Zealand: Standing Against Violence and Terrorism – join the Islamic Association of Saskatchewan to express our Unity over Division, Faith over Fear, and Love over Hatred. WHEN: March 21 from 6:00-9:00pm at the Islamic Center Saskatoon (222 Copland Cres).
- Rock Against Racism Saskatoon presents: Spring Solidarity Concert - In honour of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Rock Against Racism Saskatoon will host a fun night of music, solidarity, and celebration of diversity in our community. WHEN: Saturday, March 23 at Amigos Cantina in Saskatoon – doors open at 8pm. Click here for the Facebook event.
- Overcoming Discrimination: When We are the Other - A Courageous Conversation about Diversity, Inclusion and Understanding. WHEN: Saturday, March 23 at the Wesley United Church in Regina from 10:00am-3:00pm. Click here for the Facebook event.
The Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan has also put together a useful Show Racism the Door activity kit in recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. This kit includes ’12 Things You Can Do To Address Racism’ – we encourage you to read and do your part in confronting racism:
- Be aware of your privileges (as well as ways you are disadvantaged). Break the invisibility of privilege.
- Listen, listen, LISTEN!
- Take responsibility without being defensive when your actions are questioned. Ask questions and learn more about power in any situation.
- Work towards liberating yourself from supporting oppression.
- Try to help others with similar privileges understand how power, privilege and oppression work.
- Unlearn prejudices and stereotypes. This is a lifelong process. Join with others on this journey towards change.
- Canada’s colonial legacy is everyone’s responsibility. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has 94 Calls to Action. Read them. Make a personal commitment to one (or more) that is meaningful to you.
- Realize that feeling guilty is very unhelpful for everyone and that a useful role is to take part in recognizing and rejecting racism/oppression.
- If you hear an oppressive comment or see an example of oppression, be an ally, not a bystander.
- Try to avoid the trap of “knowing what is good for them” for members of oppressed groups.
- Learn what you can about an oppressed group – read, ask questions, listen. But do not expect everybody to be willing to teach you now that you are ready to learn.
- Be yourself. Do not try to claim the roots and connections that a history of oppression can give to a community, if it is not your own. The best thing you can do is to dig into your roots, history, connections.
SFL: Summer Student Employment Opportunity
Pending funding approval from the Human Resources and Development Canada, the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour anticipates a temporary opening for a Special Project Coordinator to be filled early May by a young worker aged 30 and under or a post-secondary or community college student aged 30 years and under. This position will be for a period of three to four months.
Responsibilities include:
• Organization and coordination of the SFL Summer Camp for young people age 13–16, August 10-16, 2019
• Research and policy development pertaining to camp and young workers.
• Production and distribution of printed materials
• Data entry and organization of information
• Additional office duties and assignments as required
Qualifications will include:
• Applicants must be between 15-30 years old to qualify for this position.
• Knowledge of the structures and policies of the labour movement and the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of the SFL Summer camp.
• Ability to take initiative and implement activities and projects from start to finish.
• Good communication, writing and organizational skills.
The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour is an equal opportunity employer. Indigenous workers, women, workers of colour, workers with disabilities, and gay, lesbian, transgendered, bisexual workers are encouraged to apply for this position.
The position will pay above average wages for 30 hours a week.
Resumes for this position will be accepted until noon April 15, 2019 and should be addressed to Debbie Lussier, Administrative Coordinator or emailed to [email protected]. Please provide references.
Mail to: Saskatchewan Federation of Labour
220 – 2445 13th Avenue
Regina, Sask. S4P 0W1
Phone: 306-525-0197