PSAC Ontario Reflections Newsletter

Greetings Sisters and Brothers,

I am proud of all that we have accomplished over the past year.

Our members continue to stand strong in defending our rights and protecting each other.

Please take a moment to read PSAC Ontario's Reflections newsletter attached, or online at: http://ontario.psac.com/sites/ontario.psacadmin.ca/files/2014_reflections_newsletter.pdf

2015 will be a busy time for our union as we gear up for the federal election, but I know that together we will elect a government that respects workers.

In Solidarity,

Sharon DeSousa
PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President - Ontario

PSAC calls on the government to take action on mental health and child care during negotiations

The Public Service Alliance of Canada is seeking significant improvements to the mental health provisions in their collective agreements as well improved child care options for public service workers.

The union tabled these proposals during negotiations with Treasury Board on Tuesday January 13.

According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, approximately 1 in 5 Canadians, or seven million citizens, will experience a mental health problem this year. Many of these problems relate in some way to the workplace.

"PSAC recognizes the importance of positive workplace psychological health and safety. We see it as contributing to the overall wellness and productivity of the federal public service. It is worth noting that the objective of our proposals is to implement the recommendations contained in the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace," said Robyn Benson, PSAC National President.

Addressing harm: mental health

The union proposal highlights the need for union and management to work together to identify what may be psychologically harmful in the workplace, and implement practices that support and promote good mental health.

PSAC's proposal also addresses the changes made by C-4 legislation that removed or weakened significant sections of the Canada Labour Code, including the definition of danger, the right to refuse dangerous work, and the right to investigations and inspections.

Child care needed

PSAC is also calling on the government to provide better support for its employees with young children.

"We are responding to members' needs and addressing the growing shortage of quality, regulated and accessible child care spaces across the country. We know that this remains a pressing priority for many working families," concluded Benson.

Recent changes to Treasury Board child care policy have resulted in the closure of at least one longstanding and popular workplace child care centre. Closures increase the shortage of quality child care spaces and complicate employee management of their work and family responsibilities.

For further information please contact:

Shelina Merani, PSAC Communications, 613-293-9324, meranis@psac.com

Personalized news, union contact and collective agreement information for members

PSAC members can log in to the website to get news about their employer, their collective agreement, and contact information for their region, component or local.

PSAC launched an improved member information dashboard in December.

Members will still be able to update their contact information as they have since October 2013, but the new dashboard page now delivers much more information:

• The latest PSAC news about your employer
• Links to your collective agreement
• Contact information for people who can help with a problem in your workplace: PSAC components, locals and regions
• Update your email subscription preferences
• Participants in PSAC events can submit expense claims online

To set up an account

1. Click create an account
2. Verify your membership information with either your name, postal code, employer and the year you started, or if you know it, your PSAC ID and your email address PSAC ID.
3. Check your email for an automated confirmation message and click the link in that message
4. Set your password

Jan. 19th Activities for support of Negotiating Teams

Just a reminder that your Jan. 19th collective bargaining activities can include members going on line and signing the pledge to support healthy workplaces and the right to sick leave.

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

Amazing video of our members supporting Bargaining Teams

Greetings Sisters and Brothers,

 

PSAC Ontario Council has created a Youtube video showing our support for our bargaining teams, during this difficult round of negotiations.

Please take a minute to watch the video, which can be viewed here:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HEA9pA4M4M

 

Locals are encouraged to send their own messages of support on the 19th of every month. These monthly Days of Action are also a way for Locals to mobilize our members to take action in preparation for the upcoming federal election. 

 

Let's show our strength through our solidarity!

 

Sharon DeSousa,
PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President - Ontario