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.
Our bargaining committee brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the bargaining table, having worked in both rural and urban areas of the province and all areas of healthcare—acute care, long-term care, homecare, and community care. We have members who represent and work in various classifications—Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs), Continuing Care Assistants (CCAs) to name a few—and who are working different departments including environmental services, dietary, security services, maintenance, and scheduling/office administration.
These people are your voice and bring issues from the shop floor to the negotiating table. They tell the stories behind the proposals and provide the evidence and experience of working within the collective agreement and why changes are necessary. When our members share emails with suggestions and questions, the bargaining committee is included in the response. We use this as a check and balance that we are going down the right path for bargaining.
We’ve served SAHO notice to bargain and are currently setting up dates to talk about preliminary matters like frequency of meetings and location. We’ll continue to update our members as the bargaining process progresses.
On behalf of the Committee, if you have questions about bargaining and/or your collective agreement contact the Member Resource Center (MRC) by phone at 1-888-999-7348 Ext 2298, by email at [email protected] or by using the contact form at SEIUWEST.ca. Whether you call or email, don’t forget to leave your phone number and a message so we can track the issues that are arising in the workplace.
Your SEIU-West SAHO Provincial Bargaining Committee:
CHR: Janice Platzke (SEIU-West Treasurer) • FHHR: Brenda Berry, Barbara Bubyn • HHR: Colleen Denniss • SHR: Rhonda Bzdel, Chris Clark, Jean Javinal, Carla Saworski, Charlene Sarafin • Extendicare: Teena Foote • Staff: Bob Laurie (Dir. of Bargaining and Contract Enforcement), Russell Doell (Deputy Dir. of Bargaining and Contract Enforcement • President: Barbara Cape
Click here for a printable copy of this Bargaining Bulletin.