The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives have published Caring for the Future: Frontline Workers on the Challenges in Saskatchewan's Long-Term Care Sector.
Pinned
International Youth Day: August 12
Each year International Youth Day is recognized August 12 and SEIU-West is proud to share that we stand with young workers in our union and communities. We know they are experiencing soaring rent, tuition, inequality, and the growth of precarious work among many other struggles. Our Young Workers Committee is very active in raising awareness and taking action on these issues - we're proud of the work they do and are excited for their future efforts! Check out the Young Workers Committee page to read their latest 'Shining A Light On' articles which focus on issues like mental health: https://www.seiuwest.ca/young_workers
SAHO/SEIU-West Bargaining Bulletin (2nd edition) No. 4
YWCA Saskatoon: Bargaining Update No. 1
Saskatoon, July 29, 2019
Click here to download a printable PDF file of YWCA Saskatoon: Bargaining Update No. 1
Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
Your SEIU-West bargaining committee wants to take this opportunity to thank all members who participated in the July 17 to 26 ratification vote on the tentative memorandum of agreement. We especially appreciated your questions and comments about the Employer’s offer. The votes have been counted and the Employer’s offer has been rejected by an overwhelming majority.
Win of the Week! July 28-August 3
This week a member notified their Shop Steward to an issue regarding their pay. The member’s employer did not recognize their previous experience within and outside the Saskatchewan Health Authority, and rather started the member at Step 1 of the pay scale in their classification. After a first-step grievance meeting with the member’s Steward and Employer, the Employer changed the member’s initial pay to Step 2 due to their work experience, as per the language in our Collective Agreement. This member is delighted and we are also delighted to share the good news!
Meadow Lake Primary Health Centre: Bargaining Update No. 1
Meadow Lake, July 30, 2019
Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
Your SEIU-West bargaining committee met with representatives from SAHO and the Saskatchewan Health Authority on June 11 and 12 and July 23, 24, and 25, 2019 to bargain for a collective agreement.
Win of the Week! July 21-27
SEIU-West members are constantly doing more with less and face workload issues on a daily basis. So for this week’s win, we’re so happy to share a win related to workload. Members who work in a Community Based Organization (CBO) were struggling to ensure the quality of care they wanted to provide for clients due to workload. TLR (transferring, lifting, repositioning) was a particular struggle and they needed to add another shift to properly complete this task. These members therefore called their Union Representative who then called the Employer – these members also met with their Employer soon after to talk about their concerns. As a result of their initiative, the Employer added the requested coverage and this change went into effect just a few days after their meeting. While we struggle to address workload across the province, it’s important that we celebrate wins in order to encourage further action to address workload issues. When we fight back together, we win together!
Win of the Week! July 14-20
In order to support our SEIU-West bargaining team in their negotiations with SAHO, the Provincial Contract Action Team (ProCat) has been engaging with members to support our new campaign about understaffing and the need to ensure fairness for health care providers (www.EndUnderstaffing.ca and www.BeFairToThoseWhoCare.ca). ProCat members have communicated the high level of community support for our campaign as the public understands the crisis of understaffing in health care and the efforts that must be made to retain and recruit health care providers. At these meetings or BBQs, family members have shared their first-hand views of health care workers doing more with less – they want to see increased staffing levels for both their loved ones and the workers who take good care of their family members. Many have asked for campaign materials to share with their friends and families, and many have said they’ll be sending a letter to their MLA on our campaign websites as well. This is an important win because it is vital for all people – whether a health care provider or a member of the community – to support our health care system and those who work within it. Be sure to share our campaign far and wide – there is strength in numbers!
Experiencing Prairie School for Union Women
This letter was written by SEIU-West member, Lyse. She was one of the lucky members to be selected as a delegate to the 2019 Prairie School for Union Women - you can read about her wonderful experiences below:
Prairie School for Union Women (PSUW) is something all women should have the privilege to attend. A strong objective of the school is gaining knowledge in many different areas, it is also a place where women support and raise each other up in a safe environment.
My experience started when I picked up a union sister in Regina. It was refreshing to connect with someone who was not only involved in her union, she was also very positive. Our journey continued to Saskatoon where we met the PSUW bus that would be taking us the school in Waskesiu Lake, located in beautiful Prince Albert National Park.
After checking in and meeting my roommate for the next four nights, we made our way to the community for dinner and the official opening of this year’s school. I was amazed to see many enthusiastic women of all ages and backgrounds.
The following three and a half days, I participated in the session “Women Speaking Up”. As someone who lacks confidence to share her ideas and speak up, this session was a great fit and allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and take part and something that I would normally avoid, Public Speaking.
At the end of each day I was able to connect with many of the participants along with participating in all that the location had to offer. From an interactive talk about bison, to a pontoon tour of some lakes and even the viewing of a yet to be released movie about the strike in Winnipeg that occurred 100 years ago. There was always something valuable to do.
The closing banquet was held on the last evening. It was great to see all the women participating and cheering each other on. It was a very emotional and an empowering evening. Besides my experience with Girl Guides, I have never seen an environment where women support each other at that level.
I thank SEIU-West for this opportunity. From the great arrival package provided to the great women I was able to meet from our union, I am truly appreciative. Moving forward I can’t wait to see the opportunities in learning, networking and supporting what SEIU-West has to offer.
Your Union Sister,
Lyse
Be sure to look out for 2020 Prairie School for Women opportunities!
Educational Opportunity: SFL OH&S Conference 2019
The Worker Safety Committee of SEIU-West is sponsoring up to five (5) members to attend the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour Occupational Health and Safety Conference.
SDLC Vacation of the Month Contest!
SEIU-West is proud to be a union that supports and lives by social unionism – we understand our role is not just to improve the working lives of our members, but to improve the communities in which we live as well.
The basis of social unionism also translates to a strong and progressive union culture and a commitment to work in collaboration with allies, both here at home and around the world.
In that sense, we strive to support and get involved in community events and organizations striving for social justice. It is our members that lead the way – they volunteer, organize, and get involved in both their union and communities every day – in other words, Purple Works In Our Communities!
In recognition of the volunteer work of our members, we have a new contest with an awesome prize!
The Saskatoon & District Labour Council (SDLC) has generously given SEIU-West a ‘Vacation of the Month’ ticket as a result of our efforts in supporting the Summer Snack Program – a vital program that ensures kids in need have access to lunch outside of the in-school months in Saskatoon.
This ‘Vacation of the Month’ ticket has a $120 value and enters you into monthly draws for amazing vacations! For example, the September 2019 vacation draw is a choice between seven (7) nights hotel and air to Cabo (Mexico) or seven (7) nights hotel and air and to Waikiki (Oahu Island, Hawaii)!
For your chance to win this ticket, we ask that you tell us: how do you volunteer in your community? Email [email protected] by July 28, 2019 for your chance to win!
You do not have to live in Saskatoon to be able to enter this contest but you must be a member of SEIU-West.
Win of the Week! July 7-13
SEIU-West is thrilled to share the good news of one of our members! This member was struggling to gain long term disability but as a member of SEIU-West, they were not alone in their struggle. Our SEIU-West Benefits Officer supported this member through several levels of appeal, and we just received word that this member was granted retroactive pay and coverage going forward! We are so happy for this member and are proud to share that SEIU-West is unique in having designated staff person(s) assigned to assist members in three specialty services pertaining to domestic violence, disability appeals, and attendance management. This is a wonderful service for members so we want to make sure you are aware – and to help spread the word!
Member of Distinction: Summer 2019
Our Summer 2019 Member of Distinction is Brenda Coben!
Brenda is a long- time member of SEIU-West. She works as a Continuing Care Assistant at the Elrose Health Center. She is the current Unit Chair and does a fantastic job of representing and engaging her co-workers. She is also an important part of our member facilitator team who delivers our internal training program for SEIU-West members.
Recently, Brenda was approached by one of the current Elrose Town Councillors and asked if she would run in the by-election. Brenda was no stranger to community involvement as a former School Board Trustee and volunteering with the local Lioness Club but had never thought about being a Town Councillor. She credits her involvement with the Union, especially facilitation, for giving her the confidence to “give it a shot”. Not surprising to us, she was overwhelmingly elected in the by-election held March 27th and is already serving in this new role. Brenda will definitely be rolling up her sleeves soon because she was appointed to two committees at her first town meeting!
The town of Elrose will benefit from Brenda’s enthusiasm to branch out and learn new things. We are sure she will prove to be a great asset to the Town Council. Congratulations Brenda! We are proud of you.
Do you know a Member of Distinction? Email: [email protected].