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Media Release: Agreement for Out-of-Province Surgeries a Bad Move

For Immediate Release
March 29, 2023

Saskatchewan—In a misguided effort to cut wait times for certain orthopedic surgeries in Saskatchewan, the SaskParty government has signed a $6 million contract with a Calgary-based private clinic to perform hip and knee replacements. The deal with Canadian Surgical Solutions Ltd., represented by former SaskParty Finance Minister Kevin Doherty, was announced on March 28th. SEIU-West believes the most effective way to reduce surgical wait times is to invest in the public health care system in our own province.

Nominations: Shelly Banks Above & Beyond Award 2023

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.

Labour Day Message 2022

When we celebrate Labour Day, it should be more than another Statutory Holiday or signal the end of summer. It should be a celebration—a moment to lift up, with pride, our skill, our craftsmanship, and our labour that contributes to the success of our team, our communities, and our families.

Labour Day 2022 Events

Labour Day is right around the corner and we've collected a list of events sponsored by district labour councils around the province.

Apply now! Activist Training Camp 2022

The SEIU-West Education Department is pleased to invite members to apply for the Activist Training Workshop, happening both in-person and online.

The course will take place on:

  • September 20 in Sasktoon
  • September 22 in Swift Current
  • September 23 online

Apply Now! SFL Convention 2022

This year, the annual Convention of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) will be held in Regina on October 26-28, 2022.

This year's Convention includes elections for several leadership positions. The SFL Convention is a wonderful opportunity to get involved in Saskatchewan’s labour movement, and advocate for better social, economic and environmental policies. 

As in past years, the SEIU-West Executive Board has agreed to sponsor up to 30 SEIU-West members to attend the Convention as delegates. This includes the registration fee, lost wages or honoraria, and any associated costs in accordance to our policies.

If you are interested in attending, please fill out this Expression of Interest form, no later than August 26, 2022. We will notify those who are selected to attend.


The SFL represents over 100,000 hard working union members in Saskatchewan, from 37 national and international unions. Its goal is to improve working people’s lives throughout the province, whether organized or unorganized, and regardless of affiliation to the SFL.

 

 

 

Letter to the Editor - Martin Been July 30, 2022

An article published in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix on July 25 titled “Saskatchewan will pay private clinics to help close surgery gap,” explains the Saskatchewan Party government wants a privately run orthopedic surgery clinic to be built in the province in an effort to clear a record backlog of postponed procedures.

The article states: “The province will issue a formal request to a private company to build a site focused on increasing operating room and bed capacity for in-patient joint replacements, as well as a variety of day surgery procedures.”

The Ministry of Health says it is also exploring contracting an existing private surgery clinic outside of the province to perform hip and knee surgeries for residents on the province’s waitlist.

This from a government that once proudly proclaimed that Saskatchewan is a “have” province.

Timing of this announcement, coinciding with the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Tommy Douglas’ medicare, should be more than concerning.

With the plan to build private clinics and outsource publicly funded surgeries to private clinics, is this government signalling the end of publicly funded and administered health care?

If allowed to proceed with this plan, this government will add health care to the list of items people in Saskatchewan can no longer afford.

Martin Been

Saskatoon

 

Find the published article in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix here.

International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples 2022

Our First Nations, Métis and Inuit Committee (FNMIC) along with our Multicultural Mentorship Committee (MMC), would like to share some resources and events for you. We hope you join us in celebrating the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on August 9, 2022.

 

Apply to Attend: SACLXT Fall Conference 2022

The SEIU-West Education Committee will be sponsoring up to two delegates to attend the Saskatchewan Association of Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technicians (SACLXT) Fall Conference on October 22, 2022 at the Sandman Signature Hotel in Saskatoon.

They will reimburse registration costs, lost wages, travel costs and meal expenses for those who are selected to attend according to our policies.

Space for these courses is limited, so get your Expression of Interest in soon. Your completed Expression of Interest form must be received in our office on or before August 29, 2022 in order to allow us to complete the registration and selection process. 

You will be required to submit a report within 30 days to SEIU-West's Education Committee.

More Information about the event can be found here:
2022 AGM Agenda
2022 SACLXT Conference Agenda
2022 SACLXT Registration Form

*Once you've been notified that the Education Committee is sponsoring you, you'll still need to register for the conference. We will book you a hotel if required and we will send you our Member Expense Form to reimburse your costs.

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Moose Jaw

Phone: 306.693.7922
Fax: 306.692.2807
Address:
39 Athabasca Street West
Moose Jaw, SK S6H 2B6

Saskatoon

Phone: 306.652.1011
Fax: 306.652.1392
Address:
200–747 46th Street West
Saskatoon, SK S7L 6A1

Swift Current

Phone: 306.773.2536
Fax: 306.773.7535
Address:
333 Central Avenue North
Swift Current, SK S9H 0L5