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
Cape's Corner: Summer 2019
This summer, you’ll be seeing SEIU-West billboards prominently displayed across the province as we renew our focus on safety. Whether you work in the health, community-based organization (CBO), education, or within our private and allied sectors, we have heard firsthand too many of our members are trying to get the job done with too few staff.
At our May Convention, themed Together Strong Together Safe, delegates were able to talk about the need for safer workplaces. We urged members and guests to provide advice about what to do when faced with an unsafe work environment. Moving forward, we have introduced a member education session about occupational health and safety. There is a clear demand: we all want to improve safety for our patients, clients, residents, and students.
These billboards connect readily with the CBO campaign where we join with other unions (SGEU and CUPE) to highlight the need for stable and predictable multi-year funding in this sector. This is the purpose of the 'Sask People Who Care' campaign which urges members of the general public to sign an online petition in recognition of the valuable work done in this sector for residents and clients who are in most need. We encourage every one of our members to collect signatures on the paper petition over the summer and return them (with original signatures) to one of our offices in September so they can be submitted in the fall sitting of the Legislature.
Our Provincial Contract Action Team (ProCAT) will be coming out to facilities across the province to promote our on-line and billboard campaign. We ask SEIU-West health care providers to share the message 'Be Fair to Those Who Care' and engage the general public to support health care providers. As part of creating a safe health care system, the rates of pay must keep up with the cost of living – so that we can retain and recruit health care providers. Safe staffing is essential to keeping our patients, clients and residents safe.
Our members who work in the education sector have been faced with cuts to staffing in the classrooms and throughout the school system. Over the past few years, our provincial government has whipsawed the funding for this sector… but ultimately, leaving our schools and students in a deficit. Student enrollment continues to grow, but the staffing needed for kids who are new Canadians or who have special learning needs or need some extra support has stayed static or been reduced in school systems across the province. We believe that funding needs to be fully restored and further supplemented to create a safe, quality learning environment for everyone.
To amplify this message, we need your help. For the remaining months of the year, we are asking our members to tell us – in a short video (less than 10 seconds) –what you would do to make your workplace safer. Our goal is to raise awareness about the need for safety in Saskatchewan workplaces where injuries are among the highest in this country, and at the same time provide some solutions from the experts in the workplace – our members. If you are interested in being a part of this campaign, email [email protected].
It’s really quite simple – end understaffing.
Health Provider Bargaining: The Next Chapter
Representatives of the SEIU-West provincial bargaining team met with SAHO on June 14 to determine the next steps for bargaining. At this meeting, it was agreed that the parties would resume bargaining, as opposed to starting over. Bargaining update no. 3 is posted on the SAHO page.
At this meeting, your SEIU-West representatives identified that the outstanding issue – for the strong majority of members who voted to reject the tentative agreement – was dissatisfaction with the monetary offer. SAHO was advised that our members felt disrespected when they learned that MLAs received a 2.3% increase to salary (due to cost of living increase) on April 1, 2019. If the cost of living increase affects MLAs, it also affects health providers.
The SEIU-West team is insisting upon a sturdy set of dates to bargain through the summer. In step with the SAHO bargaining dates, there will be regular bargaining updates and information supplied by the Provincial Contract Action Team (ProCAT) as they move through the province doing unit visits. Your ProCAT will be recruiting Unit Contract Action Teams (UCATs), gathering information for our future use in essential services negotiations and they will be talking about our latest campaign introduced to support bargaining called ‘Be Fair to Those Who Care’ – visit befairtothosewhocare.ca to find out more.
We urge members to engage with the ProCAT, sign a postcard, and send a letter through the online campaign. Get your neighbours, friends and colleagues to participate and show their support too.
You also might want to call your MLA and ask: where is the fairness when MLAs receive a 2.3% increase in salary, and offer others such as health providers zeroes?
We know the significant challenge faced in achieving a fair collective agreement – now more than ever, we need greater support from you – our members – and your communities!
Interested in becoming a Shop Steward?
Did you know Shop Stewards help protect the rights of SEIU-West members every day? They are vital leaders within our union and their presence on the shop floor makes our union stronger. It is crucial that each Unit has a number of Stewards that is proportional to the Unit size – it is even better if each department has a Steward.
Wondering what Stewards do? They discuss first level grievances with the employer in an effort to resolve situations early, they investigate grievances using our investigation fact sheet and communicate those investigations with SEIU-West Staff Reps, they mentor new Stewards, and they perform routine check-ins with members to determine whether there are workplace concerns or issues that need to be addressed by our union. While Stewards have large responsibilities, they know they have a strong union behind them that will support them and provide resources when they need.
Each year, SEIU-West offers Shop Steward training so if you’re interested in becoming a Shop Steward, we ask that you speak to your Unit Chair. If you have any questions about the role of a Steward, don’t hesitate to call the Member Resource Centre at 1.888.999.7348 ext. 2298.
To access a poster of this information, click here.
Win of the Week! June 30-July 6
Members who work in the South East Cornerstone Public School Division have a great win to share! They ratified their latest agreement and have recently received their latest collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The CBA includes wage increases amounting to 7% over four years as well as the following non-monetary gains:
- 15 minutes for new employees Union Orientation;
- Email and website posting of vacancies during the summer break;
- Clarification of the process for filling vacant bus routes;
- Ability to take a 15 minute rest periods where possible;
- Bus driver monthly cell phone allowance increases;
- Personal Property damage reimbursement increases;
- Completely revamped Occupation Health and Safety language.
Congratulations to our bargaining committee and to the members within these schools – we’re Stronger Together!
MEDIA RELEASE - End Understaffing: Be Fair to Those Who Care
Saskatoon – A new campaign has been launched by SEIU-West to bring attention to the very real safety concerns resulting from ongoing understaffing in the health care sector. Purple billboards will be displayed across the province encouraging the Saskatchewan provincial government to Put Care First: End Understaffing.
“Put care first,” said Barbara Cape, President of SEIU-West. “It’s as simple as that. Not having enough people on a shift at a care home, or at the hospital, or to provide home care services puts residents, patients, and clients at risk. We also see this as a real and imminent threat in our education and community-based sectors.”
Workers Compensation Board data shows that health care is one of the most dangerous sectors to work in—at least as dangerous as working in construction. Injury rates in the education sector are also well above average. “But we can change that,” said Cape, “if we have more people working as part of the staff team. We hope the public will help magnify our calls for safety in the care and classroom environments.”
For years, front line SEIU-West members have been bringing their safety concerns to their MLAs, Ministers in charge of health care and education, and even the Premier. Despite this, recent provincial budgets have failed to address the chronic understaffing issues in these sectors.
“Between the higher workloads, more complex care, and fewer staff to work, our health care system, our education sector and our community based sectors are in crisis,” continued Cape. “Our members are working crushing amounts of overtime because employers have adopted ‘non-replacement’ policies as cost-cutting measures. We need to stop this cycle.”
“We’ve seen more than one budget where the government has put front line public sector worker compensation last while they give themselves raises,” added Cape. “It is simply not fair. MLAs gave themselves a 3.5% pay hike last year, and then a further 2.3% cost of living increase this year. Meanwhile, during these same years, the government has been offering zeroes to the people doing the heavy lifting in health care and education.”
SEIU-West welcomes the support from the many communities where our members work.
Visit EndUnderstaffing.ca to find out more about this issue and to send a letter to decision makers.
SEIU-West represents over 13,000 people across Saskatchewan. They include people who work in health care, education, municipalities, community-based organizations, retirement homes and other sectors. They are joined by one colour – purple – and one union – SEIU-West. Purple works in our communities! Visit PurpleWorks.ca to find out more about SEIU-West members.
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For more information, contact:
Karman Kawchuk, Research Coordinator Phone: 306-652-1011 ext. 2232
Click here for a printable PDF of MEDIA RELEASE - End Understaffing: Be Fair to Those Who Care
Win of the Week! June 23-29
Last week, we announced our win for Best Website Redesign, awarded by the Canadian Association of Labour Media (CALM). This week, we particularly proud to announce our Honourable Mention of the Ed Finn Award for Excellence in Writing. This submission was written by member Teegan Hunter, Security Officer with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA). She wrote an incredibly moving story, titled ‘Humboldt Strong.’ The whole health care team contributed significantly throughout the Humboldt tragedy, and this member story is a glimpse to the resilience of this amazing community we call home. The CALM judges agreed by awarding this submission its honourable mention and said: “For a heartfelt story that takes us through the heartbreak of supporting families, friends and communities not just because the job requires it, but also reminding us that we are all called to serve each other.” Thank you to Teegan and the entire health care team for your hard work and dedication to our communities. To read Teegan’s submission, click here.
SAHO/SEIU-West Bargaining Bulletin (2nd edition) No. 3
Celebrate Multiculturalism Day & Canada Day: Strength in Diversity, Strength in Numbers
June 27th is declared Canadian Multiculturalism Day, while Canada’s celebration of the ratification of The Constitution Act is July 1st (commonly known as Canada Day). The two dates of recognition go hand-in-hand as SEIU-West strongly supports the belief that there is strength in diversity.
Our diversity should be celebrated because our country is built upon so many different races, religions, and cultural practices that can spark many opportunities.
We are fortunate that we have the chance to learn and appreciate all kinds of new foods, traditions, celebrations and languages without the travel expenses of world-wide travel.
These differences should encourage our communities to be more accepting and open-minded. Yet in many communities across Canada, some people are turning to anti-immigration groups due to frustrations with the economy. The decision-makers and influencers use this divisiveness to pit us – our communities – against each other. Turning workers against workers is dangerous because when we recognize and understand that it is the majority of us who are experiencing poverty and inequality, decision-makers and influencers know they are outnumbered.
It is important that we confront any discrimination and stop it in its tracks before the situation is manipulated. If you hear someone say ‘immigrants are taking our jobs’, that’s discrimination, and it must be confronted. We cannot allow discriminatory feelings and sentiments to be deemed acceptable.
Now, more than ever, we must bring people together across the country to unite in our diversity. Our union’s motto, Stronger Together, is true – when we’re united, we can achieve gains that benefit all working people; not just the 1% and decision-makers. After all, there is strength in numbers, just as there is strength in diversity.
So for this year’s Multicultural Day and Canada Day, we encourage you to stand up for your coworkers and your communities, no matter their race, religion, or gender. If you need tips in taking a stand, we encourage you to visit the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan’s kit to confront discrimination. We’re all in this together and together, we can make the world a better place together.
MLT Fall Conference - Apply Now!
The SSMLT Fall Conference is being held at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina beginning September 26, 2019. The Education Committee is pleased to sponsor up to two (2) delegates to attend. We will cover registration costs, lost wages, travel costs, hotel costs and meal expenses for those members who are selected to attend.
If you are an SEIU-West member working in a MLT classification and you are interested in attending this conference we ask you to:
Your completed Expression of Interest (EOI) form must be received in our office on or before August 6, 2019 in order to allow us to complete the selection and registration processes. If you have already completed the online registration to this conference and are selected, we will request a copy of your registration receipt and reimburse you.
Please forward your completed EOI form to:
Colleen Denniss & Brenda Coben, Co-Chairs, Education Committee
#200 – 747 46th Street W, Saskatoon, SK S7L 6A1
Fax: 306-652-1392
Once delegates are selected we will complete an online registration and may request your assistance with this.
Delegates attending this conference must be dues paying members and are required to submit a brief report to the SEIU-West Executive Board through the Education Committee Chairs following the completion of the event. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this regard.
SACLXT Fall Conference - Apply Now!
The SACLXT Fall Conference is being held at the Saskatoon Inn in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan October 18, 19, 2019. Please visit http://saclxt.ca to find added information and details on the conference. The Education Committee is pleased to sponsor up to two (2) delegates to attend. We will cover registration costs, lost wages, travel costs, hotel costs and meal expenses for those members who are selected to attend.
If you are an SEIU-West member working in a CLXT classification and you are interested in attending this conference we ask you to:
Your completed Expression of Interest (EOI) form must be received in our office on or before August 6, 2019 in order to allow us to complete the selection and registration processes. If you choose to complete the online registration to this conference and are later selected we will request a copy of your registration receipt for reimbursement.
Please forward your completed EOI form to:
Colleen Denniss & Brenda Coben, Co-Chairs, Education Committee
#200 – 747 46th Street W, Saskatoon, SK S7L 6A1
Fax: 306-652-1392
Once delegates are selected we will complete an online registration on your behalf. We may require your assistance to do so.
Delegates attending this conference must be a dues paying member and are required to submit a brief report to the SEIU-West Executive Board through the Education Committee Chairs following the completion of the event. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this regard.
Win of the Week! June 16-22
SEIU-West is proud to announce a two-part win this week! The Canadian Association of Labour Media (CALM) hosts an annual CALM Awards presentation and this year, SEIU-West was the recipient of two awards! We received the CALM award for the Best Website Redesign – here’s what the CALM judges said: “SEIU-West’s website redesign stands out for its consistent and clean design. It is easy to navigate, uncluttered and uses consistent and striking design elements throughout.” We’re proud of our new mobile-friendly site and we look forward to growing our communication methods to better meet our members’ needs. Now stay tuned, our second award will be shared next week!
Indigenous Peoples Day
Each June Canada recognizes National Indigenous History Month and on June 21st, we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day.
These recognition dates are in place to celebrate the contributions and cultures of Indigenous peoples in Canada. It is not only to honour the historic importance of Indigenous peoples, but to recognize the continued contributions and strength of present-day Indigenous communities.
For example, many Indigenous communities have helped ensure Canada recognize and respond to Canada’s policies and actions that violated the human rights of Indigenous peoples and their culture, such as residential schools. The legacy of these residential schools and Canada’s colonization of Indigenous peoples is traumatic, and through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada Report (2015), 94 Calls to Action were made in order to take steps towards reconciliation. SEIU-West is committed to integrating many of these calls to actions through the use of our member education, policies, and union representation. Courses like our Turtle Island Workshop and Unionism 101 aim to educate, build allies, and take action. These are but mere steps as we all walk down the road of reconciliation together but we are ready for the work that lies ahead.
Most recently, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) released their final report. Their goal was to assess the root causes of violence against Indigenous women and girls. Though the true number is unlikely to be known, it is estimated that as many as 4,000 women and girls have been killed or gone missing in Canada over the past 30 years.
The inquiry’s final report concludes that years of policy and inaction amounted to genocide against Indigenous peoples. Many people view this report as an important turning point due to its powerful statements.
While the report outlines a condemning description of our country’s history, it also inspires a path forward. The report included 231 recommendations for future action, including giving Indigenous languages official status, and investing in early childhood programs for Indigenous youth.
Understanding our history and how it affects present-day communities is vital in making progress towards reconciliation. While there are many steps needed, we encourage you to read the TRC Summary Report and Inquiry Summary Report.
We also encourage you to attend your local Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations - you can find events across the province by visiting the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan website. There will be a Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation in Saskatoon and SEIU-West plans to join - if you're able to join us, let us know by emailing [email protected]