Win of the Week! Cheshire Homes Collective Agreement
Collective agreement reached between Cheshire Homes of Saskatoon and SEIU-West
This week members of SEIU-West Committees - the Aboriginal Committee, Education, Member Organizing, Nursing Care, Political Action & Awareness, Retiree, Worker Safety, Workers of Colour, and Young Workers - gathered in solidarity to prioritize safety as they commit to achieve safer conditions in both the workplace and in our communities. There was a ton of energy in every discussion as committees ensured their focus and goals would be centered on safety. We’re also excited that many members are newly engaging with committee work, which only grows our union’s strength as more members become active in their union. Remember this is YOUR union, and we’re excited for the direction these committees will take us! Be sure to check back on our Committees page for the work that’s being done.
Collective agreement reached between Cheshire Homes of Saskatoon and SEIU-West
While COVID-19 is taking over much of our work lives, this win is a reminder that we must remain diligent in ensuring employers adhere to both our collective agreements and the Saskatchewan Employment Act (SEA). This week, a member informed SEIU-West that their employer was selecting Occupational Health Committee (OHC) members and that the worker co-chair was out of scope. As the SEA outlines, workers/their union have the right to select/elect their own worker representatives and there must be one employer co-chair, and one worker co-chair. As a result, SEIU-West drafted an urgent letter informing the employer of this right and immediately, the employer adjusted their behaviour. The right to have balanced worker representation on each OHC is vital to enforce as we know safety is a number one priority, and we must not let the employer forget that. If you are experiencing the same issues at your workplace, please contact the Member Resource Centre (MRC) through our website https://www.seiuwest.ca/contact or by phone 1-888-999-7348 ext. 2298
We couldn’t wait to share this win of the week that occurred over the weekend! When we arrived to our Moose Jaw office on Monday morning, we found out a member of the general public in Moose Jaw surprised us with a thoughtful gesture. In bold, purple chalk was a message of thanks to SEIU-West members, alongside a large heart. It certainly warmed our hearts, and we hope it does for you too! Thank you, as always, to each of our members who are providing public services and demonstrating true leadership during this time of crisis.