This award has been established to honour Shelly Banks who led by example and served as SEIU-West vice-president from 2008-2015.
Her invaluable and outstanding contributions have made a significant and lasting impact on our members and our union.
Pinned
Media Release: Will Federal Funds be Invested in Front Line Healthcare?
For Immediate Release - March 2, 2023
Saskatchewan— Yesterday, the Federal and Provincial governments announced an agreement in principle on health care funding. Saskatchewan will get almost $6 billion in federal funding over the next 10 years, including an “unconditional, one-time” Canada Health Transfer (CHT) top-up of $61 million to deal with “immediate” needs, such as pressures in children’s hospitals, emergency rooms, and long surgical wait times.
SEIU-West/SAHO Bargaining Bulletin No 5
Date: February 24, 2023
Sisters, Brothers and Comrades,
On February 22 and 23, your SEIU-West Bargaining Committee met to review and finalize the package of proposed changes that we are intending to make to the SEIU-West/SAHO collective agreement.
We’ve heard from our members, very clearly, that the cost of living and its impact on healthcare workers is not sustainable. Members have identified their priority is to be paid more money, and to be respected for their contributions to keeping the Saskatchewan healthcare system afloat.
Tampon Tuesday - End Period Poverty
Period poverty describes the struggle faced by women and girls who cannot afford the cost of menstrual products, like pads or tampons. Having a period is a regular occurrence for 50% of the population; however for those who cannot afford basic sanitary supplies, it can become a monthly ordeal that limits their ability to go to school or work. Access to period products is a necessity, yet 1 in 3 Canadian women have sacrificed something else to buy pads or tampons.
April 30th Claims Submission Deadline
All extended health care and dental expenses incurred in 2022 must be submitted to Canada Life before April 30, 2023.
REMINDER! Executive Board Vacancy: Extendicare
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!
Media Release: Standardized Long-Term Care Across Country Necessary
Saskatchewan—The Health Standards Organization (HSO) has released their highly anticipated Long-Term Care (LTC) standards. SEIU-West strongly supports these standards and encourages that they be made mandatory across Canada.
SEIU-West/SAHO Bargaining Update No. 4
Date: January 27, 2023
Sisters, Brothers and Comrades,
Your SEIU-West Bargaining Committee met January 25 and 26, to conclude our review of the SEIU-West proposal package. We also reviewed a package of “common proposal”, where SEIU-West, SGEU Health Providers and CUPE have the same language, to identify improvements our members have identified in their replies to the bargaining updates, in their calls and emails to the Member Resource Center and in their responses and comments in the bargaining survey that our members completed.
Member Notice: Request to Sign Letter of Discipline or Letter of Expectation
It has come to the Union's attention that a few of our members have been requested by the employer to sign a Letter of Discipline or Letter of Expectation they received. The signing line states that the member has read and understands the contents of the letter. Please note that signing such a letter is strictly voluntary and is not a requirement. Members are not obligated to sign. If you are uncomfortable with signing the letter or if you do not understand or agree with the contents of the letter, you may refuse to sign it. In the event that you feel pressured to sign, despite your discomfort, you may simply mark the letter with the words "Refuse to sign."
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding a Letter of Discipline or Letter of Expectation, please contact the Member Resource Centre by calling 1.888.999.7348 ext. 2298, by emailing [email protected], or by completing the Contact Form on our website.
Media Release: Parking Issues Create Safety Hazard for Sask. Healthcare Facilities
Saskatoon – A recent assault on a health care provider walking to Royal University Hospital (RUH) from their car located off-site has shone a bright light on the lack of parking for hospital staff and safety of our streets.
SFL Pension Conference 2023
SEIU-West is pleased to sponsor up to five (5) members to attend the SFL Pensions and Benefits Conference 2023, taking place March 22 & 23 in Regina.
AIMS Feedback Opportunities
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is looking for feedback from health care staff on the AIMS program. Please check the SHA Daily Rounds - December 5, 2022 email for more information and other opportunities to participate.
If you have any questions about your collective agreement, please contact the Member Resource Centre (MRC).
Member Expense Delays
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will be experiencing delays in processing member expenses. We remain focused on ensuring member expenses are processed in an accurate and timely manner. Your patience and understanding during this time is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please contact the Member Resource Centre (MRC) by phone 1-888-999-7348, email [email protected], or using the contact form.
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.
Join SEIU-West in Recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day – Saskatoon and Regina events!
Joint Bargaining Update from SEIU-West, CUPE, and SGEU: June 19, 2018
Your coalition bargaining committee met with SAHO in Saskatoon during June 13, 14 and 15 to work to achieve a fair collective agreement that treats our members with respect, and does not include the cuts, rollbacks or concessions that the government wants.
We have achieved agreement in principle on a number of items:
- Professional Fees;
- Recruitment and Retention initiatives;
- A moratorium on changes to our bargaining unit structure;
- A process to deal with transition issues with the Saskatchewan Health Authority;
- Workload (for SGEU and SEIU-West); and
- Interpersonal Violence Leave.
Outstanding is agreement on a joint trusteeship process for our benefit plans and a discussion about monetary issues related to a general wage increase.
We continue to work towards maintaining the current language in our CBAs regarding the Extended Health & Enhanced Dental (EH&ED) Plans. We have heard from you loud and clear that the fully funded benefits plan is a valued benefit.
Your bargaining committees value your continued support. In addition to the bargaining process, we are currently faced with Health Authority initiatives, such as IT transitioning to eHealth and the provincial security services review. The parties continue with the joint review process of the Joint Job Evaluation plan. There is a lot happening, and we need to keep focused on these issues – together.
Keep an eye on your union bulletin board, website and Facebook page for how to get involved in these campaigns and how to show your support for your union bargaining committees. We cannot forget that the Government of Saskatchewan is deeply involved in this bargaining process, so please be sure to contact your MLA, Minister of Health Jim Reiter, and Minister of Rural and Remote Health Greg Ottenbreit. Stay focused and stay connected.
In solidarity,
SEIU-West, CUPE and SGEU
Win of the Week! June 10 – 16
SEIU-West has reached another successful tentative agreement in the education sector! Our members at Holy Family School Division will experience wage increases of 1.25-1-1 & 2% over the next four years! They’ll also have 100% of their EFAP paid for by the employer. They reached better language provisions around breaks and accommodations, and also obtained cell phone allowances and updated OH&S language. This agreement will certainly set a standard for workers across the education and public services sector, and we’re proud of the bargaining team for overcoming the pressured rollbacks and freezes – together, we are indeed stronger!
Member letter to SEIU-West: We Are All Purple Family!
We received a letter from one of our members sharing her daughter’s art work. SEIU-West is proud to have such talented and supportive family members! Check out their message and drawing!
June is National Indigenous History Month!
June is National Indigenous History Month!
Win of the Week! June 3 – 9
SEIU-West is proud to announce a big win for the members who work for Town of Shaunavon! The SEIU-West bargaining committee reached a tentative agreement with their employer, and some of the highlights include a market adjustment for maintenance staff, worth approximately 2.5% and which applies to the majority of the members at this bargaining unit. They also achieved a 1-1 & 2% wage increases over the next 3 years! Members saw their pension plan employer contribution increased, and also saw improvements to working at a higher paid classification. In a climate where rollbacks are pressured, our bargaining team did an excellent job raising expectations for future bargaining.
Thank you to the bargaining team for their hard work in reaching a fair deal!
Purple Day: June 14!
Young Workers Present: Shining A Light On…Service Animals
Young Workers Present: Shining A Light On…Service Animals
Win of the Week! May 27 – June 2
This week we are celebrating the successful pay raise Support Workers at Elmwood Group Homes (EGH) achieved through their solidarity and commitment to fairness! Their win at the bargaining table has been resonating through many news articles across several provinces in Canada! We are proud of their enormous achievement and we congratulate them on their accomplishment.
The solidarity and strength of our members at EGH has been remarkable; these Support Workers are People Who Care. Support Workers at EGH, in an effort to assist other Community Based Organizations (CBOs) are hosting a Community BBQ this week. It’s a Thank You BBQ celebrating the successful bargaining process and highlights the need to support other CBOs. For the upcoming BBQ on June 11, all donations will go to the Saskatoon Sexual Assault & Information Centre who have recently cut services due to funding shortfalls. EGH Support Workers demonstrate true solidarity and we’re proud to call them members of our SEIU-West family.
Joint Bargaining Update from SEIU-West, CUPE, and SGEU: May 28
Your SEIU-WEST, CUPE and SGEU bargaining coalition met on May 22 and 23rd in Saskatoon with SAHO.
The overall theme of this session is disappointment. SAHO and the Government of Saskatchewan are focused on concessions within the Extended Health and Dental plan for health care providers, and your Unions are not interested in allowing concessions in any form.
During a week when the Government of Saskatchewan has given a 3.5% wage increase to elected politicians and provided additional funding for legislative secretaries, we believe it is morally and strategically questionable that they would be coming after health benefits for health care workers!
Our members’ stance of No Cuts, No Roll Backs and No Concessionscontinues to provide direction to your bargaining committees. We maintain the position that health care providers should be treated with respect and paid what we are worth.
Wage discussions have been deferred at this point. While we seem to be close on some issues, outstanding items are the surplus and continued funding of our Extended Health and Dental Plan and workload language. The unions support each other by proposing each union have similar language regarding workload. As we all know workload is a systemic issue within the health care system.
Future dates to continue negotiations are being confirmed. We strongly encourage all of our members to contact their elected MLA to voice their support for the bargaining team and a fair and equitable collective agreement. Your unwavering support is what drives us.
In Solidarity,
SEIU-West, CUPE and SGEU
MEDIA RELEASE: Support Workers Ratify Tentative Agreement
Support Workers Ratify Tentative Agreement
Win of the Week! May 20 – 26
For this week, SEIU-West wants to acknowledge our amazing members who entered their game slogans to win tickets to the RUSH home game on May 26th. We had many entries and it was hard to pick the best two. In the spirit of #purplehasfun, this shows just how creative and entertaining our members can be!
The two winning slogans are:
You can look North, South, East, but we who belong to SEIU-West know that the RUSH are the best!!!!!!
Let’s go purple! Let’s go green! Let’s stand together! Let’s make a scene!
Runner up slogans from our members:
We’re purple, they’re green and together you’ll hear us scream!
In the SEIU-West, the RUSH are the Best!
Don’t RUSH our union, it’s the best! Gooooo SEIU-West!
SEIU-West, RUSHes to the Rescue!
I get a RUSH when I hear SEIU-West!
SEIU-West will never RUSH for a fair contract!
Thank you everyone for participating in our ticket give-away!
If you don’t want to miss out on our contests and updates, remember to sign up for our text messaging alerts by texting the words SEIU to the number 52267!