The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives have published Caring for the Future: Frontline Workers on the Challenges in Saskatchewan's Long-Term Care Sector.
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MEDIA RELEASE: Unions Deliver Mixed Verdict on Health Sector Tentative Agreement
For Immediate Release, April 24, 2019
Saskatchewan’s three health sector provider unions - SEIU-West, CUPE Local 5430 and SGEU Health Providers – held ratification votes on the contract offer of the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO), representing health-sector employers. The unions shared the results with their members on April 18th.
Celebrate Medical Laboratory, Administration, and Linen Services Week
In celebration of THREE incredible assets to our team, SEIU-West is proud to recognize the health care providers and workers who work in Medical Laboratory, Administration, and Linen Services!
This week is Medical Laboratory Week, and we want to honour the work of those who work in the Lab as Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs) and Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLAs). Quality control is central for the work of MLTs and MLAs – cleanliness and safety are key. Troubleshooting and standardizing equipment are also an important aspect of a well-functioning lab. MLAs are responsible for specimen collection and pre-analytical specimen handling/processing. MLT’s are able to detect, prevent and manage physiological and pathological conditions. These steps are vital to ensuring a correct diagnosis and resulting treatment for the patient. Needless to say, MLAs and MLTs are fundamental to the health care team – thank you for your vast contributions to the health care team!
Administrative Professionals are a shining example of commitment to a working team. Communication and organization are what drives a good team, and Administrative Professionals are largely responsible for efficient and clear communication within our education, community based, and health care teams. These skills are a must for Administrative Professionals as they are often responsible for staff scheduling and for ensuring the team is running to its best abilities. Thank you for your incredible work, Administrative Professionals!
Members who work in Linen Services are critical for the functionality of the health care team – health care services rely on clean, sanitary, and on-time materials to ensure patients, residents, clients, and staff can function properly in healthy environment. SEIU-West also represents members who work at Canadian Linen & Uniform Service, one of the largest uniform rental and linen supply companies in Canada. They provide linen products to the automotive, industrial, hospitality and health care sectors so we know our members work hard every day to ensure these important industries get what they need – we can’t thank our Laundry Service Workers enough for their amazing work! 
Now let’s put your skills to the test! Enter to win the Medical Laboratory, Administrative Professionals, and Linen Services Week Word Search for your chance to win some awesome prizes:
- Rush Tickets: SEIU-West has 25 tickets to give away for the Saturday, April 27th Rush vs. the Colorado Mammoth game. This game is themed as “Heroes Night” so it’s a perfect way to recognize those who work in the Medical Lab, Administration, and Linen Services!
- Long Day’s Night Music Festival in Swift Current June 20-22: Celebrate four of the longest days of the year with great music and lots of fun under a big-top tent at the Long Day’s Night Music Festival.
- Regina Folk Festival Tickets and Saskatoon Jazz Festival Tickets: Regina Folk Festival is held on the weekend following the long weekend in August, and the Saskatoon Jazz Festival takes place June 21-30!
Enter the contest by April 30 (or April 25 if you want to go to the Rush Game!) for your chance to win! Send your complete crosswords to [email protected]
May Works Week - Regina
The Regina & District Labour Council (RDLC) for the first time ever; is co-coordinating a week long events to celebrate May Day! We are inviting all Unions, Community Organizations to come join us to celebrate International Workers Day on May 1st, 2019. This year is the 100th Anniversary of the Winnipeg General Strike, during May Works week which starts on April 28, 2019. Watch the RDLC Facebook page for the line-up of events and we ask that you share! Here are the events (find posters by clicking on the titles):
Sunday April 28, 2019 - Day of Mourning Vigil at Regina City Hall on April 28th at 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Reception to follow at the Union Centre after at 2709 – 12th Ave. This vigil will list the names of the 48 workers killed on the job last year in Saskatchewan, let us remember them; “Mourn for the dead, fight for the living,” “an injury to one, is an injury to all.”
Monday April 29, 2019 - Labour History and Book Launch, “Cracking Labour’s Glass Ceiling,” hosted by Briarpatch Magazine. 7:00 pm at Tommy’s Speakeatery 2720 Montague Street.
Tuesday April 30, 2019 - Movie Night with Regina Public Interest Research Group (RPIRG) 6:30 pm: “The Right to Learn,” screening and discussion about the costs of higher education - at the University of Regina Education Building 619.
Wednesday May 1, 2019 - May Day Parade; CELEBRATE WORKERS!!
5:00 pm: line up at the Union Centre. Bring your flags, noise makers and favourite union attire.
6:00 pm: parade starts (map included). We will march to the Legislative Building, where we will hear from speakers and there will be free hot dogs for everyone. This event is coordinated by SGEU and RDLC. Join us and the music, drums, and bands and celebrate workers!
7:00 pm: come out to the after Parade Party at Rebellion Brewing at and Barb Byers to give a presentation on Labour History.
RSVP to Shobna Radons at [email protected] with the numbers of people from your local or union that are planning to attend!
Thursday May 2, 2019 - Poetry Slam at Bushwakkers, Arizona Room 7:00 pm; 7:00 – 8:00 pm workshop on how to write and deliver spoken word poetry.
8:00 pm– performances by local spoken word poets and an open mike. The folks from Spoken Word have graciously agreed to facilitate this event.
Friday May 3, 2019 - Karaoke at Q Nightclub & Lounge
7:00 pm: We will end the week with Labour Songs and coming together in solidarity! “Power to the people and workers!”
It is a week full of events, a lined up for Union, Associations, and Community Organizations to join the Regina & District Labour Council to celebrate the week and the day reserved for Workers of the world everywhere.
RSVP requested, please email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Win of the Week! April 14-20
SEIU-West is thrilled to share exciting news alongside Community-Based Organization (CBO) workers who work at Southwest Homes Inc. in Swift Current: close to 100 workers from this facility are now members of SEIU-West! These new members voted overwhelmingly in favour to join our union, and we couldn’t be more happy to welcome them to our SEIU-West family. They recognized the power of the motto we live by, “Strength in Numbers”, and we’re so proud of the work our organizers and the new members did to achieve this big win. Way to go!
SEIU-West/SAHO Tentative Agreement Vote: The Results Are In
On behalf of the SEIU-West bargaining committee, I want to thank all of our members covered by the SAHO agreement for their engagement; interest in the updates; attending meetings and virtual town halls; the emailed questions; and for making your collective voice ring out loud and clear through your vote.
The rejection of the tentative agreement gives us a clear direction and mandate to take back to the table and let SHA and the Government of Saskatchewan know that this offer doesn’t even come close to what is a fair level of compensation for our members.
As we said in our tentative agreement presentations, this doesn’t automatically mean that the government will bring more money to the table right away. But if we need to ask our members for a strike mandate to get what we deserve - we know that you have knowledge about the process, including essential services negotiations and we will continue to communicate clearly at every step of this process.
I want to be clear about this rejection: this was union democracy at work. Why didn't the bargaining committee make a recommendation about this deal? Because we know our members are informed and know their own minds. We know that you are the experts about your workplaces, the work you do and what you are worth. We wanted the government to hear YOUR voice on what they need to do.
Right now, CUPE and SGEU are notifying their members about the outcome of their ratification votes. And now it’s time to roll up our sleeves as we have much work to do: discussions with our coalition partners about the next steps, notification to the employer, and setting dates to get together at our next bargaining session. And we will do this together.
Have a good Easter break brothers and sisters.
In Solidarity on behalf of the SEIU-West SAHO bargaining committee,
Barbara Cape
Saskatchewan Spectrum Rally
SEIU-West encourages you to join a rally to support the many affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Regina on Wednesday, May 8th at 11:30 am in front the Legislature.
The host of the rally is a mother of 3 whose eldest was diagnosed with severe non-verbal autism. She recognizes and experiences how hard it is raising a child on the spectrum in Saskatchewan due to the huge gaps within the education system.
The rally organizers want the Ministry of Education to recognize the growing needs for kids on the spectrum in Saskatchewan. They are advocating for the government to start providing more support within schools and funding for families.
This is a rally about coming together and standing with families who have a loved one affected by ASD, and it’s about shining a light on what we can do to make Saskatchewan better for everyone, no matter where they are on the spectrum.
SEIU-West encourages you to join this rally on Wednesday, May 8 at 11:30am. Because we know this issue particularly affects our members who work in education, SEIU-West will offer mileage to carpool to Regina as well as lunch expenses for all our members. Please email [email protected] if you plan to attend the rally and we can provide flags and purple swag as well.
To join the Facebook event, click here.
Voices Matter: SEIU-West PAAC Communications with our Premier
SEIU-West members have been calling, meeting, and writing their MLAs to discuss their concerns about unsafe staffing levels in health care. Members of the Political Action and Awareness Committee (PAAC) have also been meeting with elected officials, including our Premier. This meeting took place on December 14, following a discussion with Premier Moe at a Sask Party BBQ last summer where staffing levels and respect for health care workers were shared. Below, you will find the letter to the Premier as a follow-up from their December meeting, and the Premier's response. If you need assistance setting up a meeting or writing a letter to your elected officials, email [email protected]!
We conveyed that we have no minimum care standards in long term care; it depends where you work and how many care providers there are, as to the workload. We raised the issue of mandating health care workers to work beyond full-time hours, with an example of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) being put in a position to either abandon their residents/patients or break The Saskatchewan Employment Act by working over 16 hours; all because there was no staff available to replace. We told you this is unfair and unsafe. We mentioned a wing that went unstaffed overnight because there was no one available. We talked about vacant positions that cannot be filled, and regrettably those numbers have grown since December. We discussed an equipment specialist who felt she couldn't access bereavement or sick leave because she knew cancelled appointments would mean another 6-12 months wait time for those families with children in need of care. We identified hard-to-recruit classifications such as the MRI Techs who are leaving the sector for better wages and work conditions.
It appeared that our Premier understood the need to increase staffing levels. So I have let our members know in my many journeys that you seemed to hear and understand the struggles frontline health care providers face daily. I even sent out a letter to fellow leaders to tell them how you met with us and I told them that our voices matter.
While we are grateful to hear that you have found funding for mental health; this is a critical need and unfortunately many of our frontline workers are going to need it. They feel overwhelmed often, because they can't provide the care they know our seniors and most vulnerable deserve. Many have issues balancing work family life, not only due to mandating, also due to their self-imposed obligation to work many, many shifts in a row because they know no one else is there to do it.
We appreciate that change is slow in government, but your government needs to understand that it is necessary to create a healthier environment for health care workers and their patients, clients and residents in Saskatchewan. After hearing the budget details yesterday, it seems we have been forgotten again. Funding for more beds doesn't cut it - we need more health providers every day in our care environments. So I ask, whose voices matter and when will ours be heard?
Signed,
SEIU-West Political Action and Awareness Committee
To read the Premier's response, click here.
MEDIA RELEASE: Workers at Southwest Homes Form their Union with SEIU-West
For Immediate Release - April 16, 2019
Swift Current – SEIU-West is proud to welcome approximately 90 new members from Southwest Homes Inc. in Swift Current after an energetic and dynamic organizing drive. Nearly 80% voted to unite together and stand up as leaders in joining SEIU-West.
“The workers of Southwest Homes work extremely hard,” said Lead Organizer, Stacey Lolacher. “These new members are united in demanding fair treatment and respect as they work to benefit the entire community.”
These new members add to SEIU-West’s strength in the Community-Based Organization Sector and are a welcome compliment to the growing list of group home workers who are choosing SEIU-West as their bargaining agent.
“Our new members have dedicated their careers to empowering those with intellectual disabilities to live fuller, more independent lives,” added Barbara Cape, President of SEIU-West. “They have come together, and voted overwhelmingly to join SEIU-West so they can negotiate a fair, enforceable collective agreement.”
SEIU-West represents over 13,000 workers people in Saskatchewan and with over 2.2 Million members, SEIU is the largest union in North America. Our members work in health care, community-based organizations, schools, trades, towns and service based industries all over the Province. They are joined by one colour – purple – and one union – SEIU-West.
If you or anyone you know could benefit from learning how to join SEIU-West, our expert organizers are here to answer your questions at 1-888-999-SEIU.
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For more information, contact:
Karman Kawchuk, Research Coordinator Phone: 306-652-1011 ext. 2232
SEIU-West/SAHO Tentative Agreement Vote Day!
SEIU-West members who are eligible to vote on the SAHO Tentative Agreement (TA) are invited to cast their ballot on April 16, 2019 at any of the polling stations listed below.
Win of the Week! April 7-13
This win of the week is a great reminder as to why it’s important to investigate and ensure safety in the workplace! SEIU-West found that an Employer failed to provide proper safety-related training after a member was unfairly disciplined. SEIU-West was able to get the discipline heavily reduced in the first stages. When it was found that not only was there a lack of training, there was also improper equipment and a general disregard to safety in the workplace, SEIU-West went back to the Employer and had the discipline removed entirely from the member’s records. Luckily, no one was injured and since then, we have been questioning the Employer and aiming to ensure safety improves at this workplace – an important win for us all.
Unionism 101 - Apply Now!
Are you a SEIU-West member who has never participated in any SEIU-West training before? Then this is the course for you! Unionism 101 is designed for any member who wants to learn more about SEIU-West. It is a beginner course for rank and file members who are not already shop stewards or unit officers. The course will touch on the basics of unions from where dues go to how members stay current on union activities to busting union myths. An introduction to the virtual bulletin board will be included and social media, political action and collective bargaining will be addressed. Basic information will be provided on anti-harassment, bullying and domestic violence at work. There will be a component that connects union principles with inclusivity and support for diversity as well. Truth and Reconciliation as well as the impact of climate change will be touched on in this exciting class. The goal is to reach everyday members and create an understanding of SEIU-West and what makes our union special. Find the closest course location to you and fill out the online or paper registration form, linked below!
- Unionism 101 – Moose Jaw (Course Date: May 28, 2019) - this deadline has passed
- Unionism 101 – Saskatoon (Course Date: May 30, 2019) - this deadline has passed
- Unionism 101 – Swift Current (Course Date: June 5, 2019) - this deadline has passed
NOTE: if you are accepted to attend and are scheduled to work that day, please request union leave from your Employer and they will bill SEIU-West for your lost wages. If you are on a day off, you will be provided with an hourly honoraria. If you have any questions, please email [email protected] and/or [email protected]
Win of the Week! March 31-April 6
Recently, SEIU-West was informed of several workers whose seats on their Occupational Health Committees (OHC) were expiring – in response, our union conducted investigations to determine these vacancies and sent a response back with our appointed members. One Employer aimed to retain the OHC members already on their list but as is outlined in the Saskatchewan Employment Act, unions have the right to determine our representatives on OHC’s where our members work. It is imperative that we retain this right and protect it because we know health and safety must include the feedback and experiences of frontline workers who are there representing their fellow union comrades, and not their Employer.