If you are an SEIU-West member working for the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and you receive a communication from your employer indicating that you owe them money back for an N/52nds overpayment, please:
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Info Pickets
Info pickets provide an opportunity for SEIU-West members to send a message to their employer and to the general public, that bargaining needs to progress and SEIU-West members deserve a fair contract!
Janice Platzke Receives Larry Hubich Lifetime of Service Award
We are so excited to announce that your SEIU-West Treasurer, Janice Platzke, received the Larry Hubich Lifetime of Service Award at the 2024 Saskatchewan Federation of Labour Convention in late October. Congratulations, Janice!
Here's what her nominator had to say about Janice and her years of service:
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.
Save the Date! Virtual Town Hall April 9, 2019
We’re excited to announce another two live and interactive virtual town hall (VTH) meetings for our health care sector members.
SEIU-West/SAHO Tentative Agreement Advance Poll
SEIU-West members who are eligible to vote on the SAHO Tentative Agreement (TA) are invited to cast their ballot in advance at any of SEIU-West’s offices (see location information below) on April 11, 2019.
Polls will be open from 7:00 am until 5:00 pm.
Win of the Week! March 24-30
An employer at a health care facility wanted to enact a change that would result in housekeeping and maintenance departments losing their carts – something our members value as a tool in completing their work. SEIU-West held a meeting about these member concerns and staff were recently informed the carts would stay. Better yet, staff will now work with residents to paint the carts! This is a great win that benefits residents and their health care providers.
Have a win you’d like to share? Email [email protected] to share the good news!
Shining A Light On: 'Man Up Against Violence' Campaign
By Cassidy Stynsky, Young Worker Committee Member
The SEIU-West Young Workers Committee (YWC) is shining a light on issues that often get pushed into the shadows and aims to break down stigma associated with important issues in our communities. In the last installment, the YWC shone a light on domestic violence.
Not only is the YWC shining the light on the campaign Man Up, we are hoping members of SEIU-West will join us in our mission to help redefine what it means to Man Up.
If you don’t know, Man Up is a global challenge and movement that is trying to redefine, reconstruct, and educate society on all types of violence.
With this movement, organizers are educating and working with youth on how to stop gender-based violence, while also promoting gender equality.
The initiative of Man Up is to challenge the stigma, educate, and confront the effects of hyper-masculinity in society.
The YWC has chosen this campaign due to our belief that enforced gender roles should be challenged – it’s okay to be who you are without societal pressures dictating how you should behave.
Man Up hosts and connects with many organizations to provide a voice and education on how to reduce and stop violence – whether it be in the workplace or elsewhere.
This movement is important for all SEIU-West workplaces whether you’re male, female or however you identify; we should be respectful and eliminate violence.
Educating each other on how to redefine what it means to Man Up will improve – if not challenge – those who have experienced violence to use their voice and advocate for those who may feel trapped.
For more information, visit https://www.manupcampaign.org/
Rights for One, Rights for All!
By Cameron R. Goodfellow, Registered Technologist Nuclear Medicine (RTNM) & Member of SEIU-West
By day I work alongside many of you in Saskatoon as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist. I recently became more involved with our Union as a Shop Steward and I put my name forward to be the SEIU-West representative on the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) Pride and Solidarity Committee. In my spare time, I volunteer on the Board of Saskatoon Diversity Network (SDN), the group that plans the local Pride Festival in Saskatoon.
At the beginning of February, I had an opportunity to attend the Fierte Canada Pride (FCP) Conference in Ottawa. FCP is an organization of Pride Festivals across Canada from coast-to-coast-to-coast that hosts an Annual Conference. This year, Ottawa played host and also enabled Pride Organizations a day of meeting MPs on Parliament Hill to advocate and lobby for strengthening the role of the LGBTQ+ Secretariat. The conference itself consisted of panel discussions on various topics but a first for the FCP Conference was a panel discussion on the Role of Labour and Unions with Pride. Though very Ontario-centric, UFCW and OPSEU were invited to give presentations on how Labour and Pride are not separate entities. Rather, the rights for one are the rights for all.
The one takeaway that I want to stress is how important an annual conference like the FCP is. It is an opportunity for Prides to come together and share their experiences and you learn a lot of different things. Montreal actually has the largest budget in the country, Vancouver gets charged excessive municipal fees, and Saskatoon has one of the better relationships with police in the country.
Personally, I would love to see more involvement of Saskatchewan unions in Pride events this year. Saskatoon Pride Festival takes place June 14-22, 2019. Email [email protected] for more information.
Connecting for Reconciliation
Have you ever thought: “I support reconciliation. I want to do my part, but I’m not sure what to do?”
If so, Reconciliation Saskatoon has put together the ConnectR website (www.beaconnectr.org). It’s an excellent interactive tool for people looking to find a way to help build better relationships between Canada’s Indigenous and settler communities. Its motto nicely describes how it works: “Choose your next step”. There are four “paths”: Spirit, Head, Heart, and Body. Clicking on a path takes you to suggested actions like “Attend a cultural event at your local friendship centre,” “Learn Indigenous teachings about plants,” and “Support Indigenous artisans online.” Each suggestion includes links to further information. You can also access this information by clicking one of the “Themes”, such as “Current Events”, “Facts and Figures”, and “Safe Spaces”.
ConnectR is the latest project of Reconciliation Saskatoon, a partnership of about 100 organizations, including the Office of the Treaty Commissioner, the City of Saskatoon, the Saskatoon Tribal Council, and the Central Urban Métis Federation. Some of the information is Saskatoon-specific, but most of it is useful wherever you live in Saskatchewan.
Check it out. It works well on cellphones too!