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:
Win of the Week! June 2-8
Over the past two weeks, SEIU-West members across the province participated in our introduction course, ‘Unionism 101’. They learned what it means to be a member of SEIU-West and how they are a part of a movement much larger than their workplace. They engaged on issues such as union representation, anti-harassment, domestic violence and work, strength in diversity, and many other social justice efforts the members of this union fight for every day. Education is a crucial part of our union’s strength and we couldn’t be more proud of these newly engaged members getting active in their union!
World Environment Day: YWC Challenge
In recognition of World Environment Day on June 5, your SEIU-West Young Workers Committee (YWC) encourages you to get involved in the daily efforts that are calling for a sustainable planet for current and future generations.
Every week, young people from around the world have been taking a lead in climate change awareness by striking against climate inaction, a tactic those in the labour movement are very familiar with. These strikes are a part of a larger movement that began in 2018 when Greta Thunberg, a teenager from Sweden, led the first student’s climate strike. Over time, her actions gained more attention and now, we’re seeing kids walk out of school on Fridays for the aptly named, Fridays for Future, in the hopes that our governments around the world will listen. In countless reports, kids are telling us they’re fighting for their lives as they take to the streets to demand action on climate change. They are aware that they will bear the brunt of climate change impacts, and they want to see immediate action by decision makers.
In late 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued a report that warned that without serious, coordinated international cooperation and action to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, it is almost certain our planet would warm by over 1.5 degrees Celsius – the impacts of this warming would be catastrophic. In order to prevent the coinciding drought, floods, extreme heat and ill-health that would come with going beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius, we need to take big steps to reduce our emissions by 2030 – just 11 years from now.
People around the world are listening to these kids and developing plans like the Green New Deal, “a bold and far reaching plan to cut emissions in half in 11 years in line with Indigenous knowledge and climate science, create more than a million good jobs you can support a family with, and build inclusive communities in the process.” Recently, hundreds of communities across Canada held Green New Deal Town Halls, and the people are developing the Deal to improve our future.
These Town Halls contained brainstorming for both blue line ideas and green line ideas – the blue line ideas represent individual actions we can take, like talking to our neighbours about the impacts of climate change, reducing/eliminating the use of plastic, or composting. The blue line ideas are big picture/policy ideas and the results from this line are the ones that can make the big difference – fair taxation to fund a transition to renewable energy, creating nationalized public transit, re-training for affected fossil fuel workers, ending fossil fuel subsidies, or getting involved in CUPW’s Delivering Community Power initiative.
The SEIU-West YWC knows you need to take both individual and systemic action to address our climate crisis, so in recognition of World Environment Day, the SEIU-West is hosting a challenge and by entering, you’ll be entered to win some awesome prizes!
Tell us: what ideas do you have to create the big change we need to address climate change (green line)? And what steps have you made or are currently making at home or at work that will help to improve our planet (blue line)?
Send [email protected] your green blue/green ideas for your chance to win:
- Frontier Days Swift Current:
- 4 June 26th Passes: (Includes general admission, Fresh Air Cinema Dumbo Movie in the Grandstand)
- 2 June 28th Passes: (Includes general admission, Rodeo, Colter Wall & Nitty Gritty Dirt Band)
- 2 June 29th Passes: (Includes general admission, Mini Chuckwagon & Heavy Horse Pulls)
- 2 rodeo Passes
- A large gift basket (pictured here)
- One of two $50 giftcards to Rock Creek Tap and Grill
Deadline to enter: June 16, 2019
And please visit the Saskatchewan Environmental Society and/or Climate Justice Saskatoon for more information – these organizations are always looking to grow! It is also important that you support workers affected by climate action. Please visit Iron and Earth, an organization of oil sands workers who want to transition into renewable energy development. If you know someone who works in the oil sands, please share this initiative with them in the hopes we can have a similar organization in Saskatchewan!
Celebrate Pride!
Each June, SEIU-West celebrates Pride Month to support all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two spirit, questioning and queer people in Saskatchewan and around the world! As a union that strives to achieve a more just society for all, we ask that you join us in celebrating the contributions to social justice the LGBT2Q+ movement has achieved.
This year is a particularly momentous Pride Month as 2019 commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, a historic uprising that is widely considered to be a vital event leading to the gay liberation movement and the modern struggle for LGBT2Q+ rights in North America. Within two years of the Stonewall uprising, LGBT2Q+ rights groups were formed all over America, Canada, Australia and Western Europe. Today, the legacy of the Stonewall Riots lives on around the world in every pride march, celebration, and struggle to achieve LGBT2Q+ equality and justice.
In recognition of Pride Month, we encourage you to join Pride Month activists around the province - check out Saskatoon Pride, Queen City Pride and in rural communities, check out Saskatchewan Pride Network’s events for more information on what’s happening around Saskatchewan.
And if you’re interested in marching in the Saskatoon Pride Parade, let us know by emailing [email protected]! SEIU-West will have a group of purple to show our pride at this event on June 22.
In recognition of Pride Month, we are also holding a SEIU-West Pride Contest! In order to be entered to win, here’s what you have to do:
- Send a selfie of you at a local Pride event to [email protected] OR
- Write a few sentences why or/and how you celebrate Pride Month
- BONUS: do both 1 and 2 to get two entries into the draw!
Those who participate will be entered to win one of the following:
- Frontier Days: Swift Current (sponsored by the SEIU-West Young Workers Committee!)
- 4 June 26th Passes: (Includes general admission, Fresh Air Cinema Dumbo Movie in the Grandstand)
- 2 June 28th Passes: (Includes general admission, Rodeo, Colter Wall & Nitty Gritty Dirt Band)
- 2 June 29th Passes: (Includes general admission, Mini Chuckwagon & Heavy Horse Pulls)
- 2 rodeo Passes
- A large gift basket (pictured here)
- One of two $50 giftcards to Rock Creek Tap and Grill
Deadline to enter: July 14, 2019
Good Luck!
Win of the Week! May 26-June 1
Members who work in Chinook School Division are celebrating after ratifying their latest collected agreement! The agreement includes general wage increases totaling 4% over 3 years, as well as a signing bonus of up to $675 for all employees. In a climate where we’re hearing rollbacks are inevitable for public sector workers, our union’s strength demonstrates our ability to resist and achieve gains. We’re stronger together!
SAHO/SEIU-West Bargaining Bulletin (2nd edition) No. 2
Joint Media Release: Unions launch campaign calling on Sask Party government to provide multi-year funding to CBOs
Saskatchewan – Community workers represented by SGEU, SEIU-West, and CUPE Saskatchewan are asking Saskatchewan people to lend their voices in support of their call on the Saskatchewan government to provide multi-year funding to our province’s Community-Based Organizations (CBOs).
Celebrate Paramedic Services Week!
SEIU-West is proud to acknowledge the incredible work of those who work in Paramedic Services as we recognize Paramedic Services Week May 26-June 1. Often, they’re the first to care for those who need emergency medical attention, and they do not take this important role lightly.
The Paramedic Services team works in a stressful and demanding environment; our members respond to calls that range from heart attacks to collisions – in every situation, immediate medical attention is required. It is therefore vital for those who work in Paramedic Services to function well under pressure and be highly organized.
Members who work in Paramedic Services must also have a reliable, supportive team. By working with partners, the Paramedic Services team can count on each other for assistance in providing a safe work environment, as care is being provided to the person(s) in need.
Our communities depend on those who work in Paramedic Services and their ability to ensure quick, calm and competent care under pressure. Thank you for providing such a fundamental service within the health care team!
Win of the Week! May 19-25
This week, we saw SEIU-West members join MLAs for their summer BBQs in order to speak with them about the negative impact of government decisions to their everyday lives. They shared their frustration at feeling devalued by this government, and explained their experiences of doing more with less within the health care system. They made clear that zeroes are unacceptable and that they expect their elected representatives to treat their constituents as they treat themselves. If cost of living is increasing for one, then it’s increasing for all. We’re proud of the many members who have taken an active role in democracy – it is vital for our government to hear from the people they represent and we encourage you to write letters, set up meetings, and visit your MLA at community events in order to share your concerns and demand better. If you need any assistance, please email [email protected]
SFL Summer Camp: Applications Open!
The Annual Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) Summer Camp will be held on August 10-16 at Shekinah Retreat Centre, near Waldheim. This 6 day camp focuses on issues relevant to young people – including social justice and equality – and combines learning with cooperative recreation activities. See the brochure and registration form here.
To support this initiative, the SEIU-West Executive Board has agreed to sponsor 2 children of SEIU-West members to attend the camp. If you or someone you know has a child that would be interested in attending the camp, please submit a completed camp registration form by June 28, 2019 to:
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 306 652 1392
Mail: #200 – 747 46th St W Saskatoon SK S7L6A1
CLC/UWCC Post-Secondary Scholarship
The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) Young Workers Program and the United Way Centraide Canada (UWCC) are pleased to present the annual CLC/UWCC Post-Secondary Scholarship.
The CLC and the UWCC are long-time partners in taking action to create prosperous, inclusive, diverse and respectful communities, safer workplaces, and a fairer Canada for working people. Two years ago, we created a post-secondary scholarship in recognition of the important opportunities college or university education can provide for young people. Too often, these opportunities are out of reach for working-class people due to ever-increasing tuition fees.
This $2,500 scholarship is offered in recognition of the efforts of young workers across Canada who have demonstrated a commitment to positively impacting social and workplace issues in their community.
The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday, June 7, 2019.
Please see the application form for eligibility criteria: www.canadianlabour.ca/scholarship.
Win of the Week! May 12-18
This week we saw nearly 200 members, staff, and special guests come together for our bi-annual SEIU-West convention. Our theme this year was SEIU-WEST – Together Strong, Together Safe. This theme carried throughout the two days as members shared ideas, listened to one another, asked questions, held debates, and all the while learned steps to build a stronger SEIU-West and a vigorous labour movement here in Saskatchewan and across borders. We had guests and staff share their informative expertise around safety issues, and took part in workshops to enhance our shop floor skills around OH&S. We also held elections and wish to congratulate the members who were elected, and a give special thanks to all members who put their name forward for election – the fact that we have so many members interested in leadership positions is a true sentiment to the vast skillset and power that shapes our union. This week was yet another demonstration that we are Stronger Together!
We Need To Ask: Where's The Fairness?
Want to know why your elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) think it’s okay to mandate rollbacks and offer zeroes to health care providers while at the same time giving themselves a 3.5% wage increase last year and a 2.3% raise this year? Now is your opportunity to find out.
Your SEIU-West Political Action and Awareness Committee (PAAC) has identified a number of MLA BBQs occurring this month, and we encourage you to attend in order to speak to your MLA about how their actions devalue the hard work of those who provide health care in this province. There will be members of the PAAC there so if you’d like to meet with your fellow health care workers, please email [email protected] to coordinate.
Here are the details:
- Don Morgan – MLA for Saskatoon Southeast (and Minister of Labour): Free BBQ May 21st from 5-7pm at St Bernard School (203 Whiteshore Crescent, Saskatoon)
- Don Morgan – MLA for Saskatoon Southeast (and Minister of Labour): Free BBQ May 22nd from 5-7pm at St. Luke School (275 Emmeline Rd, Saskatoon)
- Don Morgan – MLA for Saskatoon Southeast (and Minister of Labour): Free BBQ May 25th from 11:30am-2pm at the Independent Foods in Briarwood (315 Herold Rd, Saskatoon)
- Lisa Lambert – MLA for Saskatoon Churchill-Wildwood: Free BBQ May 27th from 4:30-6:30pm at the Nutana Kiwanis Park (3003 Porter St, Saskatoon -across from Market Mall)
SEIU-West is also able to provide a series of questions if you’d like assistance. Again, just email [email protected] in order to get a copy.
SEIU-West members understand that while we bargain with Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO), it is our government that provides the budget SAHO has to work with. When we see MLAs give themselves raises while offering us zeroes, and when we know that the same budget that funds MLA salaries, funds ours – we must ask: where are the increases for health care providers so we can keep our heads above water?
It is vital that every health care provider have their voice heard. We hope you will attend at least one of the above-mentioned BBQs and if you are aware of any other MLA BBQs occurring, please let us know by emailing [email protected]