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.
MEDIA RELEASE: More Budget Casualties
More Budget Casualties
MEDIA RELEASE: Baffled by the Budget
MEDIA RELEASE: Baffled by the Budget
Win of the Week! April 8-14
SEIU-West is thrilled to announce that Town of Herbert employees voted 100% to join our union family, and we couldn’t be happier to welcome these new members! Entire families in Herbert will sleep better knowing they now have the stability and strength of 13,000 members just like them in their corner. We are excited to help transition these members on to bargain their first collective agreement!
Joint Health Provider Bargaining Update from SEIU-West, CUPE and SGEU: April 9, 2018
Click to download a printable PDF of Joint Health Provider Bargaining Update with SEIU-West, CUPE, and SGEU
Your health providers coalition bargaining committee met in Saskatoon this week from Thursday, April 5 to Sunday, April 8. We remain focused on getting the best possible collective agreements.
Both the unions and SAHO provided multiple proposal packages over the last four days. Questions were raised, and a great deal of discussion took place as we spent time reviewing the impact of proposed language changes and the introduction of Letters of Understanding to address new and emerging processes.
Some of those processes include the development of a joint trusteeship of all of our benefit plans (such as Extended Health and Dental; DIP) and addressing the new operational phase of the Saskatchewan Health Authority. In both examples, CUPE, SGEU and SEIU-West feel that it’s important to have your unions at the table to ensure that our members’ issues are raised, that your voices are heard, and that we have an opportunity to contribute to improvements.
The coalition of unions is also providing support and solidarity to one another in the form of shared language, such as the development of a workload committee or electronic call-back. With workload, this is an on-going and critical issue that we need to work together to address. It involves reviewing policies and practices, proper reporting of workload concerns, short-staffing and staff retention, and an avenue to address the concerns of not only our members, but the concerns of the patients, clients, and residents we care for each day. The health authority has an obligation to meet the OHS regulations, and as unions, we are adamant about this.
At this time, we have deferred the discussion of monetary provisions in order to focus on items that we believe will be easier to agree on.
April 10 is the day that the provincial budget will be delivered by the Minister of Finance. We strongly encourage you to listen/watch for further updates on the impact to health care and our collective bargaining process. We need to stand strongly together to say “NO” to cuts/rollbacks/concessions! We are proud of Saskatchewan health care workers who deserve to be treated with respect and paid what we are worth!
On another note, we honour and salute the health care workers and emergency responders of every union who performed so incredibly during the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus crash on April 6. To the first responders, medical professionals and volunteers, we owe you our deepest gratitude. You comforted and cared for the injured and dying. You hugged families, friends, and other staff in their time of need. You have cried, worked tirelessly on your feet, grieved, and, at times, found the strength to smile. We are honoured to represent you and to know you. We are proud of the care you provide every day and especially in times of crisis. Never doubt the incredible value that you bring to our health care system. Thank you all.
In Solidarity,
SEIU-WEST, CUPE, and SGEU Bargaining Committees
Day of Mourning 2018: April 28 Events
Day of Mourning 2018: April 28 Events
MEDIA RELEASE: Support Workers Expand Withdrawal of Service
Support Workers Expand Withdrawal of Service
Win of the Week! April 1-7
SEIU-West developed a new course for members who have never participated in any SEIU-West training before, called Unionism 101. Over the last few weeks, many members in Moose Jaw and Saskatoon joined this one-day training opportunity and we’re happy to report the course received rave reviews! Members highlighted the importance of getting to know the benefits of belonging to SEIU-West, and enjoyed learning about the social justice issues SEIU-West advocates for.
It’s certainly a win when members become engaged in their union, and we’re excited for the next Unionism 101 course in Swift Current next week!
President's Message: Cape's Corner - Spring 2018
Over the course of 2017, hundreds of SEIU-West members reached out to government officials at various levels to share their experiences of the impact of health care funding cuts to their patients, residents, themselves, their families and their communities.
Joint Bargaining Update from SEIU-West, CUPE, & SGEU: March 29, 2018
Your union bargaining committees met this week from Sunday, March 25 to Wednesday, March 28. We continue to remain focused on getting the best agreement possible.
There was a great deal of development work on both sides of the table to review, prepare and respond to proposals. We face many challenges, including grave concerns about short staffing protocols and processes, lack of investment in the provincial health care system, the threat of the -3.5% rollback, and the transition to the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA). Your bargaining committees are thinking about these and how they impact our members every single day.
There are real bread and butter issues that our members feel passionately about, which we are trying to address through bargaining. These include: recruitment and retention, workload, professional fees, electronic call back, maintaining our Extended Health and Enhanced Dental Plan (EHDP), and creating a joint trusteeship to ensure that the funds of the EHDP are invested for the plan’s long-term access.
We are also looking at long-term goals and strategies that will ease the anxiety of our members and create a sense of stability within the health care system. We are advocating for a formal structure to deal with issues arising from the transition to the SHA; we need to tackle what a provincial health authority means for our members’ ability to bid on jobs, transfer seniority, and maintain their benefits throughout the province.
We hope that the Government of Saskatchewan recognizes that it is health care workers who provide the care, keep the buildings running, and comfort the sick, vulnerable and dying. But health care workers are running on empty, and we need the support and investment from our government to make a difference.
The SEIU-West, CUPE and SGEU bargaining committees want to thank all of you who have written, called or visited your MLA to talk about the work you do and the importance of a fair collective agreement. We are calling on you to continue to reach out to get the message out to the Government of Saskatchewan, which funds health care. Our next bargaining dates are April 5, 6, and 7. So ring those phones, send those emails, and pay a visit to your MLA to tell them health care providers need a raise.
In Solidarity,
Your SEIU-West, SGEU and CUPE bargaining committees
Purple Day: April 5!
Win of the Week! March 25-31
Princess - Continuing Care Assistant at St. Ann's Home
"I enjoy working with the residents to maintain their independence" - Princess.