Four Years is Too Long! Dear Rosie... By Christine Miller, Communications Coordinator Support Workers at Elmwood Group Homes (EGH) in Saskatoon have not received a pay raise in over four years. Far too many workers have been forced to take on second and third jobs in order to make ends meet for their families. It’s a grim reality – and it’s not fair to the residents or the Support Workers. If you have a question for Rosie, The goal of the Support Worker is to improve the quality of life for their please use the “contact us” form residents. on SEIUWEST.ca. Spring 2018 Yet their Employer continues to disrespect and undervalue them at the Dear Rosie: bargaining table. Who is the “Rosie” in the drawing at EGH has persisted in their offer of 0% in each of 2015, 2016 and 2017. the top of this column? I’m guessing In This Issue: Continuing To Stand Against The Cuts! The latest offer is even more insulting. By Dennel Pickering, Co-chair Political it’s not you, but is she a real person? Cape’s Corner ...... p. 2 won’t stop writing, calling, and protesting EGH will provide a small wage increase in 2018 but ONLY if the provincial Action & Awareness Committee Glenda Upcoming Events ...... p. 2 until the cuts are reversed and proposed government increases their funding to cover the cost of the increase. The SEIU-West Political Action and Dear Glenda, Build Skills ...... p. 3 wage rollbacks on public sector workers Given the actions of concerned citizens, organized community groups and Awareness Committee was proud to picket No, that’s not me—I wish my arms Pink Shirt Day ...... p. 3 are publicly announced as off the table! the labour movement since the Sask Party cuts were delivered in the March alongside Stop the Cuts activists were that strong! Did You Know?...... p. 3 The people of 2017 provincial budget, does anyone believe this latest offer is anything more MOD ...... p. 3 at the Sask Party Leadership The drawing, nicknamed “Rosie,” first have than imaginary? Community Sector ...... p. 4 Convention on January 27 in appeared in 1942 on a poster meant overwhelmingly voiced their Our Support Workers agree that this brings no promise of a real wage MRC Quick Tip ...... p. 4 Saskatoon. to inspire women factory workers. opposition to the latest increase and they need your help. Dear Rosie ...... p. 4 We stood with fellow Since the 1980s, it has been widely budget. We need you, your family, friends and members of your communities to picketers to convey used as a symbol of women’s power We hope our new , support these workers by sending a message to the employer, their board the message: a new and workers’ power. SEIUWEST.ca Scott Moe, will listen. of directors, and the Minister of Social Services through our campaign page: leader doesn’t absolve In 2015, a researcher determined that We encourage our fellow http://bit.ly/EGH-Fact this government of “Rosie” was based on Naomi Parker SEIU-West represents over SEIU-West members to Tell them four years is too long to wait for fairness! their responsibility to Fraley, who worked in a United States 13,000 members across continue the fight for Saskatchewan who work the people! Navy machine shop during the Second fairness – don’t stop in health care, education, We took the World War. Ms. Fraley died January 20, pressuring the government municipalities, CBOs and opportunity to remind our 2018 at the age of 96. until we win! Send your various industries. We work government about the people they I’m sure many of you have a “Rosie” letter today by going to to improve the lives of left behind with their austerity somewhere in your family tree: a http://bit.ly/HC-safe working people and their budget, and to let them know we woman who did a traditionally male families and lead the way Your responses to our recent Website & App survey job during the war. My Aunt Betty was to a more just and will help guide our plans for the redesign of one of more than 3,000 women who humane society. Supporting Women’s Rights Thank You! SEIUWEST.ca. Stay tuned for more information. worked at Canada Car and Foundry By Catherine Gendron, Project invited the legendary activist Angela Davis in Fort William, Ontario making Like our Facebook Coordinator to speak at their International Women’s airplanes—the documentary “Rosies page and follow us The Young Workers Day event in Regina on MRC Quick Tip of the North” was made about them on Instagram! Committee (YWC) has a March 8th, we immediately For those collective agreements with upcoming annual vacation submission in 1999. Two other aunts worked in commitment to enhance had to find a way to support deadlines, we would like to provide members with the following tips: factories in St. Catharines, Ontario, the wellbeing of workers’ this event. 1. Please submit your requests to your Employer using the correct process for your and another worked in a lumber camp lives and our particular As well-known activist, department (online or paper) by the end of the day March 31st. in BC. focus of late has been educator, and author, 2. Request a block of time rather than individual dates, to ensure no one can pre- Like millions of other Rosies across raising awareness for those Angela Davis has dedicated book you for dates between the dates you have requested as vacation. North America, they all gave up New Course! impacted by domestic her life to women’s rights, 3. For those with language indicating you will be granted your first four choices those jobs after the war—not always violence. poverty and peace, health to in order of seniority, PLEASE CLEARLY INDICATE YOUR CHOICES IN ORDER OF willingly—and became stay-at-home Unionism Because most people care and prison reform. PREFERENCE in your submission. moms. But they helped bust all kinds 101 who experience domestic The YWC is proud to be a 4. Your Employer is required to provide response by the end of the day April 30th. of myths about what kind of work violence are women, much large sponsor of this event As always, if you have any questions about this or any CBA language or other women can do, and what they should Visit of our energy has been and can’t wait to hear what matter within your workplace, please call your Member Resource Centre (MRC) be paid for doing it! SEIUWEST.ca focused on women’s rights. she has to say.

SHORE NG & W LO AR E L H A O N Rosie U O at 1-888-999-7348 ext. 2298 I S T E

When we heard that A And we hope to see lots of the website for UNION N INTER more info the University of Regina C A N A D A purple in the crowd for this Women’s Action Group had free event! of that, I did not feel nervous. Build Skills! I was proud to be asked to speak in a public platform, and Cape’s Corner By Lois Camacho, Executive Board Member SEIU-West after doing it once – and with such great support – I would Over the course of 2017, hundreds of SEIU-West members reached out to government officials Hi there! My name is Lois Camacho and I am a Scheduler definitely speak again. at various levels to share their experiences of the impact of health care funding cuts to their with Saskatoon Home Care. I would encourage anyone who feels that calling to step patients, resident, themselves, their families and their communities. I am the elected Communicator on the Saskatoon Home up and take a chance! At the beginning of 2018, we relaunched the challenge to our members to reach out to their By: Barbara Cape Care Executive as well as a member of SEIU-West Executive You won’t be alone in your efforts and you don’t have to elected Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) by phone, email, or in person to talk about President, SEIU-West Board for this amazing union - and I am a very active worry about writing your speech alone. the impact of direct cuts to public sector workers compensation and/or funding cuts to the skilled professional member. I received the help and support that allowed me to build a services we provide. I was asked to speak at a rally for the new Premier’s great speech and the confidence to deliver it! In January, SEIU-West members met with the Minister of Health, , and the Minister of Rural and Remote convention and since this was my first time speaking If you are interested in speaking at a local event in order Health, , to identify the impact of these cuts on services and on health care workers. publicly, I was very excited and wanted to do a good job. to stand up for workers’ rights in Saskatchewan, please Our new Premier, Scott Moe, has committed to increasing funding to the education system which faced serious cuts I was given so much support from SEIU-West and because don’t hesitate to email [email protected] for support! in last year’s budget. As part of a group of educational organizations, I joined administrators, directors, school board trustees, and unions in meeting with the new Minister of Education, , to set a new relationship and tone for our work going forward. Did You We have proposed an education roundtable to provide input, and be consulted, on changes and plans for this Each year, SEIU-West members participate in one of our most popular contests – sector. Continued cuts to staff and programs within our education sector cannot stand; we place our province in a Pink Shirt Day! Know? long-term skill deficit by not having the staff and services available now for our province’s future success. And SEIU- Rooted in the purpose to take a stand against bullying, members from various You might be West commits to being part of this process. facilities around the province get together and either request the latest pink SEIU- missing out on tax SEIU-West welcomes the opportunity to build a new relationship with our government. We are the front line West shirts, or wear their own pink shirt on February 28 each year and send us a deductions? experts in our schools, hospitals, long-term care facilities, community-based organizations, and can provide the picture of their team wearing pink to be entered into the Pink Shirt Day Contest. Be sure to consult with a knowledge, skills and expertise for improving and sustaining our public systems in our communities. SEIU-West members participate in this contest because they recognize the tax professional to ensure This isn’t just a bargaining issue; as citizens, it’s important that we are all involved in how our province, towns, cities importance of acting positively to address workplace bullying. that you are maximizing and communities are governed. As front line workers, we are incredible advocates for the people we serve, but we By wearing pink on February 28, members not only spread awareness on workplace your return on work-related can’t provide those services to the standards that we expect, if we are running to provide care; short-staffed; or bullying, they proudly display that they will not partake in bullying, and will address it items. working without proper equipment. if they are witness to bullying. Don’t forget, your union Adequate staffing levels in all public services should be a priority – not just for us, but for our employers, SEIU-West is excited for another round of pink photos on Pink Shirt Day 2018! dues are tax deductable! governments, and the people of Saskatchewan. We have and are invested in our work and our province – we need Stay tuned to seiuwest.ca and our facebook page to find out who won the pizza our governments to invest in these services… and in us. party for their pink day photo entry! We are pleased to announce that our Members of Distinction are Carla Saworski (Medical Upcoming Events Lab Technologist), Shawn Kisch (MRI Technologist), Colleen Dennis (Continuing Care Assistant) and Charlene Sarafin (Licensed Practical Nurse). April 2 Easter Monday May 13 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Day On January 9th these members were the stars of an important meeting with Health Minister April 7 World Health Day May 7 – 11 SFL Spring School Jim Reiter and Rural and Remote Health Minister Greg Ottenbreit on behalf of all SEIU-West April 10 Provincial Budget Day May 22 – 25 Aboriginal Awareness Week health care members. April 11 Unionism 101 (Swift Current) May 20 – 26 Paramedic Services Week After waiting nervously in a meeting room in the Legislative Building in Regina for April 22 Earth Day May 23 – 24 Domestic Violence Workshop (Swift the ministers and their staff arrived, their nerves were quickly left behind after some April 15 – 22 National Volunteer Week Current) MOD Spring 2018 introductions and opening remarks by president Barb Cape. April 22 – 28 National Medical Laboratory Week May 24 Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) Using both statistics and heartfelt personal stories, our members clearly showed the ministers April 25 Administrative Professionals Day Conference (Saskatoon) Minister’s the challenges they face in their workplaces and how a 3.5% wage cut would make those April 28 National Day of Mourning May 30 – 31 Domestic Violence Workshop (Saskatoon) meeting challenges even worse. They described how patient care is being hurt by short staffing and May Asian Heritage Month June Pride Month Attendees unfilled vacancies, recruitment and retention issues, and delays in obtaining diagnostic testing. May 1 International Labour Day June 4 – 10 Canadian Environment Week They made clear that these problems exist throughout the health care system, in both rural and urban settings, and May 2 – 3 Tech Course (Saskatoon) June 5 World Environment Day in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home care. Forced overtime and heavy care needs are causing crushing May 16 – 22 Mental Health Awareness Week June 10 – 14 SFL Prairie School for Union Women workloads. The acuity of care keeps increasing with no corresponding increase in staff and a pay reduction would May 6 – 12 Occupational Health and Safety Week (PSUW) make it even more difficult to recruit and retain enough qualified, caring staff. May 6 – 13 National Nursing Week June 14 World Blood Donor Day The members also impressed on the Ministers the need to raise the number of training seats provincially and offer May 8 – 9 SALPN Conference & AGM June 21 Aboriginal Heritage Day more of the speciality training in Saskatchewan that some of our members currently have to obtain out of Province. May 9 Tech Course – Swift Current June 25 – 27 Notice to units re: SFL OH&S Conference Barb Cape closed the meeting by challenging each Minister to ‘walk a day’ with one of the members to witness May 10 Tech Course – Moose Jaw June 27 Canadian Multiculturalism Day their daily struggles first-hand. Minister Reiter verbally committed to do that for a couple of hours, and we plan to May 12 Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) Day make sure he keeps his promise! But that promise would not have happened without the impactful testimony of our Members of Distinction! For more detail on these and other events, contact your Unit Chair or visit the events calendar on SEIUWEST.ca Do you know a Member of Distinction? Email: [email protected].