Emergency resolution passes unanimously with $5 million campaign

PSAC convention delegates have sent a clear message that they are fed up with a federal government that is determined to eliminate both their rights and the public services they provide to Canadians. With a standing ovation, they enthusiastically and unanimously adopted an emergency resolution that commits the union to go on the offense.
The resolution directs PSAC to spend up to $5 million from its surplus to conduct a strategic campaign.

• Read the emergency resolution

“We refuse to let this government intimidate us,” said national president Robyn Benson. “We will not stand on the sidelines while this government works to dismantle our public services and our collective agreements.”
During the debate, delegate after delegate spoke of the need to encourage all our members to stand up for our rights and to protect public services.
“The Supreme Court confirmed the right of our members to participate politically over two decades ago,” said Benson. “Our union will be there to support them if anyone tries to interfere with this right.”
The emergency resolution mandates the union to:

• oppose government actions that will compromise any of our members’ rights;
• continue organizing and mobilizing our members through concerted and strategic actions with other unions to defend our bargaining rights;
• take the necessary legal action to defend our constitutional right to free collective bargaining; and
• work to elect a federal government that respects worker and union rights and federal public services, and that governs for the benefit of all Canadian workers.