Avis de réunion de l'exécutif national à toutes les sections locales

À: TOUTES LES SECTIONS LOCALES DU SEN,

Joyeuses Fêtes,

Par la présente, je vous avise que l'Exécutif du SEN se réunira du 20 au 22 janvier 2015 à Ottawa.

S’il y a des points que votre section locale voudrait faire inscrire à l’ordre du jour de cette réunion, veuillez les faire parvenir à votre vice-président(e) régional(e) et lui communiquer les renseignements nécessaires pour qu’il (elle) puisse présenter ces questions à l’exécutif.

Voeux les plus chaleureux pour des merveilleuses vacances!

Je vous remercie !

Ateau Zola
Adjointe à l'Exécutif national
Adjointe au Comité des Droits de la Personne

Syndicat des employées et employés nationaux 

A.F.P.C.

Notice of National Executive Meeting to all Locals

TO: ALL UNE LOCALS

Season’s Greetings,

This is to advise that the National Executive of this Component will be meeting from Tuesday, January 20 to Thursday, January 22, 2015 in Ottawa.

Should your Local have any item to be placed on the agenda for this meeting, please contact your Regional Vice-President and provide him/her with the necessary information in order that he/she will be in a position to place this matter before the Executive.

Warmest wishes for a wonderful holiday

Thank you 

Ateau Zola
Assistant to the National Executive
Assistant to the Human Rights Committee   

Union of National Employees

P.S.A.C.

   

"Temperature Rising" on the CBC Sunday Edition - about our sick leave

http://www.cbc.ca/thesundayedition/popupaudio.html?clipIds=2600742153

175 Workers Face Lockout at Canada’s National Gallery

The National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa may lock out 175 of its employees next month if negotiations between the museum and the union that represents the workers, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), are not successful.

The museum’s management had previously scheduled two weeks of talks with the union for September, but canceled the negotiations the day they were due to begin. The National Gallery’s management then applied for conciliation, a provision that, per Canadian labor laws, would allow them to lock out the union workers beginning next month. The issues up for negotiation include increased wages and severance pay, according to a PSAC release.

“We were very clear at the bargaining table that we would not be applying for Conciliation. We want to bargain, period,” Larry Rousseau, PSAC’s regional executive vice-president for the national capital region, told Hyperallergic. “We had scheduled with the Gallery two weeks of talks in September. On the very first day, they informed us that they were applying for Conciliation and called off the rest of the two weeks scheduled. We believe that the only legal point for management applying for Conciliation is so that they can legally lockout PSAC members on December 10th or later, if they wish.”

The museum workers subsequently applied for an extension of the conciliation process, which would allow negotiations to continue if necessary, thus avoiding a lockout scenario, but their request was denied by the National Gallery’s management. Management and members of the union are due to meet again on November 5.

“On the issue of what we hope will come out of our one day this week of talks with the Gallery is that they remove the threat of lockout and bargain in an atmosphere of co-operation,” Rousseau added. “Of course, we hope that the parties will move closer to a fair and just new agreement.”
Museum management, for its part, denies any intention of forcing a lockout.

“The National Gallery of Canada values its workforce and is committed to reach negotiated and mutually acceptable collective agreements with its unions,” the Gallery’s chief of strategic communications, Yves St-Onge, told Hyperallergic in a statement. “A lockout is not part of our plans. This perspective was clearly communicated to the union representatives and continues to inspire our approach at the negotiating table. Conciliated negotiations continue. The next session will take place on November 5th. The Gallery hopes that the conciliator’s contribution will bring us closer to a negotiated agreement.”

by Benjamin Sutton on November 4, 2014

Support Healthy Workplaces Petition

Help us promote our pledge to support healthy workplaces and the right to sick leave

As you know, during negotiations with the Public Service Alliance of Canada, federal government negotiators tabled a proposal that would gut the sick leave provisions for employees of the federal public service.

The PSAC will fight this, and continue to focus on measures to improve the delivery and quality of public services and make the federal public service an efficient and healthy workplace for the benefit of Canadians.

We will need your help in supporting healthy workplaces and paid sick leave for federal government workers, and for all workers in Canada:

Please share the following pledge with your members and network through your website and social media channels: http://psacunion.ca/support-healthy-workplaces

Since launching four days ago, we already have almost 17,000 signatures.

Help us keep the momentum going!

Fighting For Our Lives: Health & Safety Information Session - October 28th, 2014 - Toronto

PSAC Ontario is offering Health & Safety Information Sessions across the Ontario Region to raise awareness among the membership of recent health & safety changes under Bill C-4, including changes to the definition of danger, the right to refuse dangerous work and the new investigation process.

Though beneficial to, and open to all members, the course will be of most benefit to members of federally regulated workplaces that are legislated by the Canada Labour Code Part II.

The regional schedule of Health & Safety Information Sessions is now available on-line, where you can also register: http://ontario.psac.com/fighting-for-our-lives-bill-c-4-and-health-safety

These 3 hour Health & Safety Information sessions will provide;

- Information on the changes to the Canada Labour Code part 2 Health and Safety C-4; including the definition of dangerous work and the process of refusal of dangerous work.

- Describe the implications of the changes on workers, workplaces and our union.

- To develop a strategy for Locals and Health and Safety Activist to mobilize members to take action.

A light supper will be provided, no expenses will be paid for this session. 

October 28th, 2014 - Toronto - Toronto Regional Office
http://ontario.psac.com/education-program/events/bill-c-4-3-hour-session-toronto

Sign the Pledge - Support Healthy Workplace

http://psacunion.ca/support-healthy-workplaces

http://syndicatafpc.ca/des-lieux-de-travail-sains-jy-crois

Invitation to Ontario Regional Council Meeting - November 14-15, 2014

Hello Brothers and Sisters,

I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to observe the upcoming PSAC Ontario Council meeting, scheduled for November 14^th and 15^th, 2014 at the PSAC Toronto Regional Office (608-90 Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, ON M4P 2Y3).

Our hours of sitting are: Friday, November 14^th from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday, November 15^th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

If you are, or will be in the Toronto area and would like to attend, please RSVP to my Executive Assistant, Cleo Reid (reidc@psac.com). 

Note this event is a scent-free environment. 

In Solidarity,

Sharon DeSousa

REVP, Ontario

Public Service Alliance of Canada

90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 608

Toronto Ontario M4P 2Y3

Telephone No. (416) 485-3558 ext 231

 

PSAC Ontario Council

November 14 & 15, 2014 

Agenda                  

 (November 14, 2014, 9 am- 5 pm & November 15, 2014, 9 am- 3pm

____________________________________________________________

1.         Adoption of Agenda

2.        Adoption of previous meeting minutes (July 9, 2014)

3.              Business arising from previous minute

4.              Regional Executive Vice-President Report

5.              Regional Office - Updates (Chris Wilson)

6.              Ontario Council Committees Reports

7.              Ontario Council Members Reports

8.              Collective Bargaining Updates

9.              Labour Day

10.          Strategic Plan

·       Federal Election 

11.          Peoples Social Forum

12.          Union Development Program

13.           PSAC Triennial Convention 2015

14.           PSAC National Conferences dates

15.           Leadership Training 2015

16.           Electronic Finance Claims

17.           2015 Ontario Regional Council Meeting dates

  18.           New Business

October 26 - Intersex Awareness Day

Greetings,

 

The term “intersex” refers to a person who is born with sexual characteristics that do not distinctly identify them as male or female. 

 

This day highlights the challenges faced by members of the intersex community and aims to raise awareness of the struggles they may experience in their everyday lives.

 

These struggles may stem from the shame felt due to unwanted surgeries endured as intersex children in order that they conform to mainstream gender identities.

 

While often raised in the gender specific roles of male or female, intersex persons may later identify with another gender identity. However, it is also possible that some may not specifically wish to identify themselves in this binary tradition of male or female.

 

Intersex persons often grapple with obtaining sensitive health care relating to their specific health issues and it is often difficult to find places of social and psychological support in a society that continues to promote a gender binary definition.

 

We all have a duty to provide a supportive and understanding environment for all of our members. 

 

In Solidarity,

David Carr,
Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, and Transgender Members Representative
PSAC Ontario Council

We're Bargaining Together

Greetings Sisters and Brothers,

 

The next federal election is scheduled to take place on October 19, 2015. Although this date may change, it has become symbolic for all of our federal public sector bargaining units, who are currently engaged in negotiations. 

 

Every month, on the 19th (or nearest work day), Locals are asked to take part in a showing of unity and support for their bargaining teams. These actions will continue throughout bargaining, right up till the 2015 federal election.

 

Our bargaining team’s need our support. We must show our Employer’s that we bargain together. To show our solidarity and strength, I am asking all Locals to take part in a creative action at your workplaces that is visible.

 

Whether your Local organizes a lunch time plant-gate, wears buttons or bracelets, or makes signs; any creative visible action of solidarity is appreciated. Just take photos of your members participating and send them to your nearest PSAC Regional Office.

We will then send those photos and descriptions to PSAC National and compile them with actions Locals take across the country. 

 

Remember, when we bargain together we are stronger. 

 

In Solidarity,

Sharon DeSousa,
PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President – Ontario

Defend Our Pensions and Demand Retirement Security for Everyone!

Join a rally to protect workplace pensions and expand the CPP

Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)

Corner of Bloor Street and Avenue Road, Toronto

Wednesday October 8th

6:30pm

Canada faces a retirement crisis – most workers have no workplace pension, and governments are attacking existing pension plans.

Across Canada, governments want to be able to reduce pension cheques in retirement.

But workers and retirees are fighting back!

Retirees are mobilizing across the country, with public meetings, letters, petitions, and rallies.

On the evening of Wednesday, October 8th, government officials and pension industry leaders will be meeting at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto to discuss pension reform.

Let’s show them our determination to protect our existing pensions against government attacks, and demand retirement security for everyone by expanding the Canada Pension Plan!

Everyone is welcome.

For more information on the federal government’s attack on pensioners, visit unionsyndicate.ca/pensions

PA team defends sick leave and other workplace rights

The PA bargaining team met with our Treasury Board counterparts for three days during the week of September 8, 2014.

The government presented the same proposal to gut sick leave to all of the Treasury Board bargaining tables. Among other things, the government’s proposal calls for a short-term disability plan, the elimination of sick leave banks and a maximum of 37.5 hours of sick leave a year. All of the PSAC bargaining teams rejected this proposal.

We delivered the following message at the table:

We come to the bargaining table every three years or so to improve wages and working conditions for our members. We are interested in negotiating any provisions that will result in a healthier workplace and will improve the public service. We think your sick leave demands will create hardships for our members, so we are not interested.

 

After the TB team presented their sick leave proposal, our team stood up to prominently display t-shirts provided by PSAC Atlantic, stating “Give up Our Sick Leave? Hell NO!”
There is a special technical committee comprised of members of the five TB bargaining teams that is working on sick leave – a very important issue. Please feel free to contact your union representative with any feedback.

Fixing compensation
Also at the bargaining table, Treasury Board provided a presentation on the Occupational Group Structure-Classification Reform process that was first negotiated into the 2007 collective agreement. This is an important issue for so many PSAC members who are not being properly compensated because of our outdated classification standards. Our team expressed our outrage about Treasury Board’s lack of progress on classification reform. TB negotiators said the task was bigger and more complex than they originally anticipated.
Our team signed off on a change of mileage rates to kilometric rates, which is consistent with the National Joint Council directive. Additional topics discussed included:

• The union’s proposals to add gender identity and expression to the “no discrimination” clause
  
• Adding Treasury Board policies on pre-retirement, self-funded leave and leave with income averaging to the collective agreement
  
• Improving the compassionate care language and moving it to a stand-alone article
  
• Expanding the definition of family in the collective agreement

Our bargaining team will keep you informed throughout this process. Help support our efforts by speaking to your co-workers and participating in upcoming workplace information sessions.
Visit psacunion.ca/pa for updates.

Employers:

• Treasury Board
• PA group

Union Development Program (UDP)

Greetings Sisters and Brothers,

The Union Development Program (UDP) provides advanced union leadership training to prepare members to take on leadership roles within PSAC and the broader labour and social justice movements.

The UDP poster is attached, which outlines the course description and the various steps of our new program and the criteria for participation.

To register online please visit:

http://ontario.psac.com/education-program/toronto-ro-advanced-course-registration-form
The application deadline is October 3, 2014.

Members who previously applied for UDP in 2014 will not need to reapply and can contact their nearest PSAC Regional office to state that they are still interested in participating.

Building on our rich history, the new UDP will provide an advanced learning opportunity for emerging leaders to develop the necessary analysis and skills to identify and support union priorities, and to expand our pool of skilled activists who can inspire others.

In Solidarity,

Sharon DeSousa,
PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President - Ontario

Congratulations Andrew! Election results for the Ontario Region

Union of National Employees Convention – 2014

Below is the election results for the Ontario Region for the 2014-2017 cycle.

Included in the list is the delegates to the PSAC Convention in 2015

We will split up the locals and Employer groups so you have a go to when you have an issue or need to bounce an idea around.

The division of the locals may not be until October when we meet for an orientation so until then it will be business as usual

Ontario
Regional Vice-President	Mary Anne Walker
Assistant Regional Vice-President	Diane Levola
Assistant Regional Vice-President	Andrew Shaver
Assistant Regional Vice-President	Craig Reynolds
Regional Representative for Human Rights	Sandy Bello
1st Alt. Regional Representative for Human Rights	Carrie Vasey
2nd Alt. Regional Representative for Human Rights	Andria Meskauskas
PSAC Delegate	Diane Levola
PSAC Delegate	Andrew Shaver
PSAC Delegate	Sandy Bello
1st Alt. PSAC Delegate	Michael Freeman
2nd Alt. PSAC Delegate	Tom Buckley
3rd Alt. PSAC Delegate	Craig Reynolds

Election Day at Convention

Hello again from convention!

Today was election day, when the delegates elected our national executive officers, and the regional delegations (we're Ontario Region, of course!) also elected their regional leadership teams.

A bit of a warning: this is a longer-than-usual posting, because there is just that much information to share.  I will, however, be covering all of this at a special Local meeting (soon to be scheduled, likely late September), when I'll provide a full report on convention.

The short version: We had great elections, we have an amazing new National team, and I was elected to our regional leadership team (as well as being elected as a delegate to the PSAC Triennial convention, our union-wide gathering taking place in April 2015).

Now for the long version... 

The first order of business was to elect our component's National President.  The incumbent, Doug Marshall, presented again (asking for a second, and final term - our elected officers are limited to two mandates).  He was not opposed and was therefore acclaimed for another term.

Following this, we had two candidates stand for election as the National Executive Vice-President (the next in line should the President not complete the term), and they were Kevin King and Stéphane Allard.  In the end Kevin King carried the vote, with 74.9% of support.

Here's the full list of our newly elected National positions:

National President - Doug Marshall (acclaimed)
National Executive Vice-President - Kevin King
National Vice-President, Human Rights - Jeff Ryan (acclaimed)
Assistant National Vice-President for Human Rights - Daniel Toutant
National Parks Representative** - Eddie Kennedy (acclaimed)

You may note the ** beside that last position - this was in fact a new position created at convention, that will be salary-funded by Parks Canada but has not yet been formally negotiated.  I'll explain how this works when we convene our Local convention debrief meeting in the fall.

Of course we also held our Ontario Region elections, and the big news is: I'm now part of the Ontario Region executive team as a brand new Assistant Vice-President!

I was elected to the position of 2nd Assistant Vice-President (ARVP), Ontario, a volunteer leadership position within our region that will support our component across the province, and directly help our Regional Vice-President (RVP) fulfill their mandate.

Our  outgoing RVP Gary Larouche is retiring, and so in his place our Ontario delegates have elected Mary Anne Walker as our new RVP (she was previously one of our ARVPs). 

And many of us know Sandy Bello from our Annual General Meetings, who had served as an ARVP alongside Gary up until this convention.  Given the two term limit, she was unable to stand again for the ARVP role, but was elected into the position of the Human Rights Representative, so will still be a part of the Ontario regional team.

Below are the results of our Ontario regional elections:

Regional Vice-President - Mary Anne Walker
1st Assistant Regional Vice-President - Diane Levola
2nd ARVP - Andrew Shaver
3rd ARVP - Craig Reynolds
Human Rights Representative - Sandra Bello
1st Alternate HR Rep - Carrie Vasey
2nd Alternate HR Rep - Andria Meskauskas

And the last business we took care of today in Ontario caucus was to elect delegates to the National PSAC Triennial, taking place next Spring in Quebec.  Our component has a formula that allows each region to elect a certain number of specifically regional delegates to the PSAC Triennial Convention, which in our region's case allows us to send 3 people in addition to our RVP.  More good news for our Local - I was elected as one of the 3!

Below is our list of 3 delegates and 3 alternates (should any of the delegates be unable to attend):

1st delegate - Diane Levola
2nd delegate - Andrew Shaver
3rd delegate - Sandra Bello

1st alternate - Mike Freeman
2nd alternate - Tom Buckley
3rd alternate - Craig Reynolds

And that wraps up one another full day at our UNE Triennial. 

Tomorrow is the final day, when we swear in the newly-elected officers, and complete our final business before closing out until the next Triennial, 3 years from now.

I will not be providing any further updates tomorrow, but will save the rest for my return when I present, in person, my full report.

Thank you to everyone who's followed along this week, and thank you to our entire membership for allowing me to participate in this incredible convention, to represent our Local on your behalf. 

As always, if you have any questions or just want to drop me a line, I'm always reachable at president.local00303@gmail.com

URGENT - Peoples Social Forum - Aug 21-24, 2014

Greetings Sisters and Brothers,

The Peoples’ Social Forum is a mass gathering of progressive organizations and activists that will feature special exhibitions, film screenings, rallies, a pow-wow, street performances, concerts, games, and over 500 workshops.
The Forum will take place in Ottawa on August 21-24, 2014 (http://www.peoplessocialforum.org/).

PSAC will be offering 1 day of Leave Without Pay and the $25 registration fee for the Forum for a total of 25 members throughout the Ontario Region.

This partial funding is to help offset the financial burden for members who will take part in the Forum and will be based on the responses from interested members to the following 2 questions:

1. Why are you interested in attending the Peoples’ Social Forum?
2. How are you involved in your community promoting issues of social justice?

Each answer to the above questions should be no longer than 200 words each and the deadline for submissions has been extended to August 20, 2014.

Note that accommodations and expenses are not being provided, however, the Peoples’ Social Forum does have special accommodation rates listed here: www.peoplessocialforum.org/ottawa

PSAC has also booked accessible buses for members from London, Toronto and Kingston. For full details and to register for a spot on the buses please do so online here: http://ontario.psac.com/gta/toronto-course-registration-form-2014-0

In Solidarity,

Sharon DeSousa,
PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President Ontario

Convention update - budget passes, on to other resolutions and then elections

Hello again from convention!

Yesterday was a busy one, with our delegates passing the provisional operating budget after much debate on the convention floor - here are the main points:

- our total operating budget each year for 2015-2017 is set at $6,822,393

- our component dues rate is now 0.5991%

- this represents an increase of 0.0435%

- in other words, we now add $2.53/month to our dues

Our local will convene a special meeting in the fall where I'll deliver a full report on convention, with a particular focus on explaining this budget process and giving everybody a chance to share their thoughts and feedback which I will pass up the line to our component leadership.  

With the budget passed, our convention now turns to reviewing resolutions as well as the election of our component executive officers on Thursday.  I'll keep you posted on any major items that directly impact our workplace, and as always feel free to email me if you have question or any feedback you'd like to share.

Andrew

president.local00303@gmail.com

Convention Day 1!

Hello from UNE triennial convention!

Today the formal convention agenda began, with an address from our component president Doug Marshall and then right down to business as we began work on adopting a three year operating budget for 2015 - 2017.

The budget conversation on convention floor has been robust, as all delegates work hard ensuring our component has the funds needed to do our business effectively with a desire to limit dues increases to the very minimum required.

Our component unfortunately lost around 4000 members during the WFA period, meaning we now need to make up for that lost dues revenue somehow.  The proposed budget included a modest increase of $1.98/member/month, though amendments proposed by delegates may change that amount before a final budget is adopted.

Stay tuned for more updates on this tomorrow, as well as info on some of the other general resolutions that will impact you as UNE members.

Feel free to email me questions or thoughts at any point this week at president.local00303@gmail.com.

Off to convention next week!

As you may remember from our springtime AGM, this year our component (Union of National Employees) is holding its National Triennial Convention.

I'll be off on August 10 for five busy days in Victoria, BC, representing our Local on the convention floor.  I'm planning on sending updates via posts to our Local blog which I encourage you to check out to keep up with the latest news coming from your union.

Some key items that will be up for discussion include:
- a financial report for the last 3 years, and presentation of our component's proposed operating budget for the next 3
- the bargaining process as we work towards our new collective agreement
- discussion of on-going issues in our workplaces
- review and presentation of member-crafted resolutions to make our union work for us
- and much much more!

Please visit our blog often to keep up with the latest, and even when not at convention we're adding new posts all the time.

We're also planning a festive fall fundraiser potluck in early October, more details to follow!

Have a great month of August, and I'll be in touch from convention soon!

_______________________
Andrew Shaver
President, Local 00303

People Social Forum Ottawa -Thursday August 21 to Sunday August 24, 2014

Greetings Sisters and Brothers,

 

The Peoples’ Social Forum taking place in Ottawa is shaping up to be the largest gathering of progressive organizations, unions and activists, Canada-wide.

The Forum will take place from Thursday August 21 to Sunday August 24, 2014, with a large rally planned on Parliament Hill on the 21st at 3pm. 

 

PSAC will be offering 1 day of Leave Without Pay and the $25 registration fee for the Forum for a total of 25 members throughout the Ontario Region.

This partial funding is to help offset the financial burden for members who will take part in the Forum and will be based on the responses from interested members to the following 2 questions:

1. Why are you interested in attending the Peoples’ Social Forum?
2. How are you involved in your community promoting issues of social justice?

 

Each answer to the above questions should be no longer than 200 words each. Please reply back directly to this Regional Office email no later than August 6, 2014 by 3pm with your responses. 

 

Note that accommodations and expenses are not being provided, however, the Peoples’ Social Forum does have caravans and special accommodation rates listed here: http://www.peoplessocialforum.org/ottawa

In Solidarity,

Sharon DeSousa,
Regional Executive Vice-President – Ontario
Public Service Alliance of Canada

Federal court upholds PSAC alternation victory

The Federal Court of Canada recently confirmed the PSAC’s alternation victory by dismissing Treasury Board’s application.
In February 2014, the Federal Court heard an application for judicial review brought forward by Treasury Board challenging the alternation policy grievance decision issued by the Public Service Labour Relations Board (PSLRB), which was in favour of PSAC.
The court rejected Treasury Board’s argument that employees about to lose their jobs had limited rights when it comes to alternation. The PSAC successfully argued that Treasury Board’s view made no sense and directly violated the key WFAA objective of maximizing employment opportunities for affected employees.
This decision confirms PSAC’s policy grievance and strengthens the employer’s obligation to establish an effective alternation system.
Treasury Board now must take responsibility for its failure on alternation and immediately ensure all departments respect the collective agreement.
The 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.

http://psacunion.ca/federal-court-upholds-psac-alternation-victory?_ga=1.82238101.207852667.1405361863

TB Negotiation Video

http://psacunion.ca/standing-together-bargaining-standing-together-public-services