May Day msg from REVP

Greetings Sisters and Brothers,

May Day is celebrated on May 1st, to honour the achievements of workers acting collectively to improve their working conditions and create a fair society. Unions have been at the heart of this collective action, holding employers and governments accountable.

For over a century, workers have been coming together to ensure that they share in the profits of their labour and live in healthy communities. Today, we are seeing companies and governments try to roll back these achievements by undertaking austerity programs and outsourcing jobs.

But there is hope. Canadians value compassion and fairness, workers are getting organized and unions are fighting back. Workers, standing in solidarity, can make their lives better; May Day is a day that shows us we can. 

In Solidarity,

Sharon DeSousa
REVP Ontario
Public Service Alliance of Canada

National Day of Mourning - April 28

Greetings Sisters and Brothers,

On April 28th, we reflect on the workers who have lost their lives and suffered injuries or illnesses because of their work. Everyday another worker is injured on the job, with on average nearly 900 deaths across Canada per year due to work-related causes.

A workplace should not cause injury or death, yet too many families have had this experience. Any death or injury resulting from work is preventable. Employers are responsible for ensuring that their workers are safe and governments are responsible for creating health and safety regulations and enforcing standards.

PSAC will continue to advocate for all workers to prevent workplace injuries and to improve the mechanisms that help workers who have been injured.

For a full listing of Day of Mourning events across Ontario, please visit: http://www.cpcml.ca/Calendar/130428-DayofMourning-Ontario.html 

In Solidarity,

Sharon DeSousa,
PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President - Ontario

Protecting Our Rights / Protection de nos droits - vidéos

Greetings/Salutations Sisters and Brothers,

 

Unions are under attack because we defend workers rights. Conservative governments, both at the federal and provincial levels, are looking to undermine our rights to protect our members.

 

Here are a few videos that highlight some of the work unions and allies are doing to combat against these attacks.

 

Les syndicats sont attaqués parce que nous défendons les droits des travailleurs. Les gouvernements conservateurs, tant au niveau fédéral que provincial, cherchent à saper notre droit de protéger nos membres.

Voici quelques vidéos qui mettent en évidence certains des syndicats de travail et leurs alliés font pour lutter contre ces attaques.

 

NO FREE RIDE (by OPSEU/SEFPO): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCqRkn1IRnM

 

Pierre Poilievre (by Rick Mercer): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9aJKDqqP4A&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Db9aJKDqqP4A

 

What Have Unions Ever Done For Us? (by Rick Mercer): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=184NTV2CE_c

 

In Solidarity,

En solidarité

 

Sharon DeSousa,
PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President - Ontario

Stephen Lewis Foundation - Solidarity Tour

Greetings Sisters and Brothers,

PSACs Social Justice Fund is a proud sponsor of the upcoming Stephen Lewis Foundation - Solidarity Tour.

Beginning in May, the Solidarity Tour is a 15-day trip from Winnipeg to Windsor. Participating communities will host a labour-community event and invite union members and the public to hear directly from three HIV/AIDS activists from Kenya, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Wairimu Mungai, Netty Musanhu, and Nathan Nhlane will talk about their challenges and triumphs in dealing with the ravages of AIDS in their communities to raise awareness about the AIDS pandemic in Africa.

As union members working for change in the workplace, our members know what it means to act in solidarity and promote justice, equality and human dignity.

I encourage all members to attend this amazing event. To learn more about the Tour, the Stephen Lewis Foundation, and see a brief video from Stephen Lewis to the labour movement, please visit:
http://www.solidaritytour.ca/?utm_source=Main&utm_campaign=1b9c6f577f-Solidarity_Tour_launch_3_26_2013&utm_medium=email

In Solidarity,

Sharon DeSousa,
PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President - Ontario

Full Event Listing:
http://www.solidaritytour.ca/?utm_source=Main&utm_campaign=1b9c6f577f-Solidarity_Tour_launch_3_26_2013&utm_medium=email#communities

Toronto
Thursday, May 2
7:00 PM
Ontario Federation of Labour Building Auditorium, 15 Gervais Dr.

Sault Ste. Marie
Tuesday, May 7
7:00 PM
Location T.B.A.

Sudbury
Wednesday, May 8
7:00 PM
OPSEU Union Hall, 866 Newgate Ave.

London
Thursday, May 9
7:00 PM
Wolf Theatre, Central Public Library, 251 Dundas St.

Hamilton
Friday, May 10
7:00 PM
1031 Barton St. E.

Kitchener-Waterloo
Monday, May 13
7:00 PM
St Marys High School, 1500 Block Line Rd., Kitchener

Windsor
Tuesday, May 14
6:30 PM
CAW Union Hall, 1855 Turner Rd.

VICTOIRE DE L’AFPC - PSAC WINS

Sisters and Brothers,

The PSAC won a significant victory this week before the Public Service Labour Relations Board on a major issue in the Work Force Adjustment Appendix. The Board agreed with PSAC that Treasury Board is ultimately responsible to ensure that departments are not violating the collective agreement.

The decision strengthens the obligations of the employer to establish an effective alternation system. The grievance also dealt with the failure on the part of the employer as a whole to establish a system that works across departments.  Now, Treasury Board can no longer hide behind the departments and must directly address the violations which have occurred.

PSAC will continue to make sure that employees who wish to find an alternate have been given every possible opportunity to do so under the terms of the collective agreement.

In Solidarity,

Sharon DeSousa,
PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President - Ontario

GRIEF DE PRINCIPE AU SUJET DE L’ÉCHANGE DE POSTES : VICTOIRE DE L’AFPC

L’AFPC a remporté une importante victoire cette semaine devant la Commission des relations de travail dans la fonction publique (CRTFP) au sujet d’une question fondamentale visant l’Appendice sur le réaménagement des effectifs. La Commission a convenu avec l’AFPC que le Conseil du Trésor a la responsabilité ultime de s’assurer que les ministères ne contreviennent pas à la convention collective.

La décision vient renforcer l’obligation qui incombe à l’employeur d’établir un système d’échange de postes efficace. Le 15 juin 2012, l’AFPC et l’IPFPC ont déposé des griefs de principe contre le Conseil du Trésor pour dénoncer le fait que de nombreux ministères n’avaient pas mis en application les dispositions liées à l’échange de postes prévues dans l’Appendice sur le réaménagement des effectifs.

Le grief dénonce aussi le fait que l’employeur n’a pas établi de système qui faciliterait l’application de ces dispositions dans tous les ministères. Le Conseil du Trésor ne peut plus se cacher derrière les ministères et doit remédier aux violations qui se sont produites.

« Le Conseil du Trésor doit agir et reconnaître qu’il a failli à ses obligations concernant le processus d’échange de postes, déclare la présidente nationale de l’AFPC, Robyn Benson. Il doit s’assurer immédiatement que tous les ministères respectent la convention collective. »

L’AFPC s’adressera à l’employeur afin de discuter de redressements possibles à la lumière de la décision de la Commission. Le syndicat veillera à ce que les employés qui souhaitent trouver un remplaçant aient toutes les possibilités de le faire en vertu des dispositions de la convention collective.

Faits saillants de la décision :

• La CRTFP convient avec l’AFPC que le Conseil du Trésor a la responsabilité ultime de s’assurer que les ministères ne contreviennent pas à la convention collective.

• La CRTFP reconnaît que le Conseil du Trésor, les ministères et les organisations doivent établir des systèmes facilitant la réaffectation des employés touchés, ce qui s’applique au processus d’échange de postes.

• La CRTFP confirme que les ministères doivent répondre aux demandes d’échanges de postes dans le délai de 120 jours accordé aux employés optants.

• La CRTFP reconnaît que le fait de participer au processus d’échange de postes suppose une volonté réelle de la part du Conseil du Trésor, des ministères et des organisations d’aider les employés qui souhaitent se prévaloir de cette option et d’examiner les propositions d’échanges de postes selon les exigences de l’ARE.

• La CRTFP confirme la position de l’AFPC, à savoir que les seuls motifs que l’employeur peut invoquer pour refuser un échange de poste sont les suivants :

1.    l’employé optant ne répond pas aux exigences du poste du remplaçant et aux besoins de l’administration publique centrale;

2.    le remplaçant a remis un avis de démission ou de retraite et le ministère a pris la décision de ne pas doter le poste qui deviendra vacant.

Contexte

Le 15 juin 2012, l’AFPC et l’IPFPC ont déposé des griefs de principe aux motifs suivants : de nombreux ministères n’avaient pas mis en application les dispositions liées à l’échange de postes prévues dans l’Appendice sur le réaménagement des effectifs et l’employeur n’avait pas établi de système qui faciliterait l’application de ces dispositions dans tous les ministères.

Une rencontre a eu lieu avec le médiateur de la Commission les 17 et 18 octobre 2012. La séance a été productive, mais non concluante. L’AFPC et l’IPFPC ont donc demandé à la CRTFP de fixer une date d’audience officielle.

Le 15 janvier 2013, la Commission a entendu les arguments et devait se prononcer sur certaines questions liées à l’interprétation de l’ARE, plus particulièrement en ce qui a trait à l’échange de postes.

Le 9 avril 2013, la CRTFP a rendu sa décision et a confirmé bon nombre des arguments invoqués par l’AFPC.

PSAC WINS ON ALTERNATION POLICY GRIEVANCE

The PSAC won a significant victory this week before the Public Service Labour Relations Board on a major issue in the Work Force Adjustment Appendix. The Board agreed with PSAC that Treasury Board is ultimately responsible to ensure that departments are not violating the collective agreement.

The decision strengthens the obligations of the employer to establish an effective alternation system. On June 15, 2012, the PSAC and PIPSC filed policy grievances against Treasury Board with respect to the failure of many departments to abide by the alternation provisions in the Workforce Adjustment Appendices (WFAA).

The grievance also dealt with the failure on the part of the employer as a whole to establish a system that works across departments.  Now, Treasury Board can no longer hide behind the departments and must directly address the violations which have occurred.

“Treasury Board now has to step up to the plate and take responsibility on the failure of alternation,” said Robyn Benson, National President of the PSAC.  “They need to immediately ensure all departments respect the collective agreement.”

The PSAC is approaching the employer to discuss remedies related to the Board’s ruling. The union will continue to make sure that employees who wish to find an alternate have been given every possible opportunity to do so under the terms of the collective agreement.

Highlights of the decision:

• The PSLRB agreed with PSAC that Treasury Board is ultimately responsible to ensure that departments are not violating the collective agreement.

• The Board recognized that Treasury Board, departments and organizations have an obligation to establish systems to facilitate redeployment of affected employees and this applies to the alternation process.

• The Board affirmed that departments must respond to alternation requests within the 120 days provided to opting employees to alternate.

• The Board recognized that participating in the alternation process means there must be a genuine willingness by Treasury Board, departments and organizations to assist employees seeking to alternate and to consider proposed alternations within the framework of the WFAA.

• The Board clarified, in agreement with PSAC’s position, that the only grounds management can turn down a proposed alternation is:

1.    if the proposed alternation is not likely to result in retention of the skills required to meet the ongoing needs of the position and the Core Public Administration; or

2.    if the alternate has already given specific notice of resignation or retirement and the department has taken the decision not to fill the position when vacated.

Background

On June 15, 2012, the PSAC and PIPSC filed policy grievances against Treasury Board with respect to the failure of many departments to abide by the alternation provisions in the Workforce Adjustment Appendices (WFAA), and the failure on the part of the employer as a whole to establish a system that works across departments.

On October 17-18, 2012, the parties met with a mediator from the Public Service Labour Relations Board (PSLRB). The mediation was productive but inconclusive and the PSAC and PIPSC requested formal hearing dates for adjudication.

On January 15, 2013, the PSLRB heard arguments and was asked to rule on certain questions having to do with the interpretation of the WFAA, particularly as they affect alternation.

On April 9, 2013, the PSLRB issued its decision. The decision affirmed many of the arguments that the PSAC had put forward.

Soutien John King - Support Officer John King as he fights in Court for Union rights

Ami(e),  (english follows)

Agent de la paix John King était ASFC-PSAC  Locale 024 Président de l'Union. L'employeur l'a congédié pour exécuter ses obligations syndicales. John a fait progresser sa cause devant la Cour d'appel fédérale.

Voici le lien vers la pétition pour soutenir John King comme il se bat à la Cour des droits de l'Union:

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/support-john-king-in-his-fight-to-protect-union-officials.html

 S'il vous plaît ajoutez votre soutien en signant la pétition et la transmettre à toute personne intéressée à signer.


Friend,

Peace Officer John King was PSAC-ASFC Local 024 Union President.  The employer terminated him for performing his union obligations.  John has advanced his case to the Federal Court of Appeal.

Here is the link to the petition to support John King as he fights in Court for Union rights:

 http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/support-john-king-in-his-fight-to-protect-union-officials.html

Please add your support by signing the Petition and  passing it to any interested person to sign.

2013 Bursaries | Bourses d'études de 2013

~~~ le français suit ~~~

Hello brothers and sisters,

Education can be expensive! That’s why the Union of National Employees is so proud to have three annual bursaries that make learning a bit more affordable for our members.

You’ll find attached the callout letters for the Laurier Auger bursary, the Alfred Papineau bursary and the bursary for an adult member attending an institute of higher learning.

We’ve also published this information on our website, here : http://bit.ly/UNEbursaries

Shameless plug: Are you following us on Facebook and Twitter? It’s the best way to keep up-to-date with what’s happening at the UNE!

Many thanks,

Ben René

Communications and Research Officer
Union of National Employees
____________________________

Bonjour confrères et consoeurs,

L’éducation, ça coûte cher! C’est pourquoi le Syndicat des employées et employés nationaux est si fier d’offrir trois bourses d’études qui rendent l’apprentissage un peu plus abordable pour nos membres.

Vous trouverez ci-joint les annonces des bourses Laurier Auger, Alfred Papineau et la bourse à l’intention d’un membre adulte étudiant à un établissement d’enseignement supérieur.

Nous avons aussi publié les informations sur notre site web, ici : http://bit.ly/SENbourses

Publicité éhontée : Est-ce que vous nous suivez sur Facebook et Twitter? C’est la meilleure façon de rester à l’affut des dernières nouvelles du SEN!

Merci,

Ben René

Communications and Research Officer | Agent de communications et de recherche

Union of National Employees, PSAC | Syndicat des employées et employés nationaux, AFPC

900-150 Isabella Street | 900-150 rue Isabella
Ottawa, ON  K1S 1V7
ben.rene@une-sen.org

Telephone | Téléphone 613-560-5507

Toll-free line | Ligne sans frais 1-800-663-6685
Mobile phone | Téléphone mobile 613-769-6905

Fax | Télécopieur 613-560-4208
www.une-sen.org

CALL OUT FOR NOMINATIONS FOR HR EQUITY REPRESENTATIVES \\ APPEL DE CANDIDATURES POUR LE POSTE DE REPRÉSENTANT OU REPRÉSENTANTE AUX DROITS DE LA PERSONNE

Greetings:

We are currently seeking nominations to fill two vacant positions of Human Rights Representative and Alternate Human Rights Representative for Members with Disability.

Application forms are available on the 4th floor bulletin board.

**********************************************************************************

Bonjour :

Nous demandons des candidatures pour combler deux postes vacants de représentantes ou représentants aux droits de la personne et de suppléant ou suppléante pour les personnes ayant un handicap. 

Formulaires de demande sont disponibles sur le babillard 4ème étage.

Thank you // Je vous remercie !

Ateau Zola
Assistant to the National Executive
Assistant to the Human Rights Committee
Adjointe à l'Exécutif national
Adjointe au Comité des Droits de la Personne

Union of National Employees/Syndicat des employées et employés nationaux P.S.A.C. / A.F.P.C.

9th floor, 150 rue Isabella Street

Ottawa ON  K1S 1V7

Telephone | Téléphone 613-560-4343

Toll-free line | Ligne sans frais 1-800-663-6685
Fax | Télécopieur 613-560-4208 

(Cell/Céllulaire) 613-327-1052

from the president of PSAC re: Sondage Environics / Environics Survey

Hi / Bonjour

L'AFPC a demandé à la firme Environics d'effectuer un sondage téléphonique auprès de nos membres sur divers enjeux. Les participants seront choisis de façon aléatoire. Vous pourriez donc recevoir un appel à ce sujet, et nous vous encourageons à participer au sondage. Sachez que toute l'information recueillie à cette occasion sera confidentielle. Le sondage se déroule entre le 27 mars et la mi-avril.

PSAC has commissioned Environics Research Group to conduct a telephone survey of a random selection of members for their opinions on a variety of issues. You may be contacted to take part in this. We encourage your participation, and assure you that your participation and answers will be kept anonymous and confidential. The survey is being conducted between March 27 and mid-April.

Doug Marshall

National President / Président national
Union of National Employees - PSAC / Syndicat des employées et employés nationaux - AFPC
613-560-4301 (work/bureau)

613-741-8954 (cell)

doug.marshall@une-sen.org

IMPORTANT: Sondage Environics / Environics may be calling you

Environics may be calling you

PSAC has commissioned Environics Research Group to survey a random selection of members for their opinions on a variety of issues. You may be contacted to take part in this. We encourage your participation, and assure you that your participation and answers will be kept anonymous and confidential. The survey is being conducted between March 27 and mid-April.

Sondage Environics

L’AFPC a demandé à la firme Environics d’effectuer un sondage téléphonique auprès de nos membres sur divers enjeux. Les participants seront choisis de façon aléatoire. Vous pourriez donc recevoir un appel à ce sujet, et nous vous encourageons à participer au sondage. Sachez que toute l’information recueillie à cette occasion sera confidentielle. Le sondage se déroule entre le 27 mars et la mi-avril.

 

Have a good day!/Bonne journée!

Dale Robinson
Mobilization Officer/Agente de mobilisation
233 Gilmour, Suite 600
Ottawa, ON
K2P 0P1
Work/Travail: 613-560-4371
Fax: 613-563-3492
robinsd@psac.com

CEP 2025