Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Filipinos and their Canadian allies in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver concluded a successful national day of protest with rallies and actions last Friday, January 13, 2006 protesting the unjust deportation of live-in caregivers. The national day of protest was coordinated by SIKLAB-Canada, a national alliance of Filipino migrant workers in Canada, to mark the delivery of over 1000 signed petitions calling for a stop to the deportations to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Minister Joe Volpe at his Toronto campaign office. In Vancouver, REVP Patty Ducharme and members of Labour and community groups attended a rally. |inline

PSAC-BC Human Rights Committee Meeting, Thursday, January 12, 2006

In Attendance: Monica (staff), Kim, Carol (minutes), Tracy (chair), Craig, Sanda, Parveen, Deanna (food), Velna. By telephone: Floyd, Mandi (VIHRC), Kate Kassam (VIHRC), Louise Richard (VIHRC), Beverly Johnson (VIHRC)

Regrets: Lana M., Teresa W., Kay S., Francine B., Lucero B., Christine D.

Tracy opened the meeting, and we had a round of introductions.

|inline

We will be doing a Labour Blitz using the Canadian Labour Congress - B.C. Federation of Labour Better Choice-Count Me In Leaflet on the following dates/times and locations. Candidates who are affected and who may wish to participate have been contacted.

• Wednesday January 18 7 - 8:30 am Metrotown Sky Train
• Thursday January 19 7 - 8:30 am Surrey - Scott Road Sky Train
• Thursday January 19 7 - 8:30 am Surrey - Surrey Central Sky Train
• Thursday January 19 7 - 8:30 am Surrey - King George Sky Train

If you are in the vicinity, stop by and say hello to the BCFed volunteers and the candidates.

In BC, the polls will be open from 7AM-7PM. Part 9 of the Elections Act says the following:

132. (1) Every employee who is an elector is entitled, during voting hours on polling day, to have three consecutive hours for the purpose of casting his or her vote and, if his or her hours of work do not allow for those three consecutive hours, his or her employer shall allow the time for voting that is necessary to provide those three consecutive hours.

|inline

The following statement is signed by a cross-section of organizations and individuals who believe that we all have a stake in helping parents raise the next generation of Canadians

OTTAWA, Jan. 12 /CNW Telbec/ - As the federal election draws near, Canadians concerned about the country’s future should closely examine the Conservative child care promises. These promises are a throwback to the past. They will not deliver the kind of high quality child care our children deserve nor the support today’s parents need. Instead, a Stephen Harper government would erase the progress we have finally begun to make towards building a system of accessible care for children across Canada.

The Conservatives say they would create 125,000 child care spaces through a $10,000 tax credit to employers.

Past experience with this trickle-down approach has been dismal. Mike Harris’s government used the same scheme-a tax incentive to employers for workplace child care-and no new spaces were created. Saskatchewan and New Brunswick had similar programs with poor results. In any case, most workplace child care in Canada is associated with public sector employers who can’t take advantage of tax credits.

|inline

TERM ASSIGNMENT – ASSISTANT TO THE EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT
BAND 8, B.C. REGION, VANCOUVER REGIONAL OFFICE, LANGUAGE: ENGLISH, ASSIGNMENT FOR A PERIOD OF UP TO MARCH 2007

As part of the BC Region, this individual will work closely with the Regional Executive Vice-President (REVP) providing support in the day to day work and assisting the REVP in responding to a wide range of requests. The individual will possess good organizing skills and will be able to work independently, as well as part of a team; will be able to keep informed of issues sensitive to the union and to the office of the REVP, sort the information and bring important issues to the attention of the REVP; will have good research skills and excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing.

|inline

Dear Brothers & Sisters:

The federal election on Janauary 23rd is a critically important event for most PSAC members. While all voters in Canada will be electing a government, most PSAC members have the opportunity to elect their employer. As a result it is important that PSAC members participate in the election campaign, and do what they can to ensure that candidates for election understand issues that are important to PSAC members and are willing to champion those issues in Parliament. In this mail out you will find a Brochure from the Canadian Labour Congress on their Better Choices Campaign and a summary of the issue leaflets that the PSAC has prepared and posted on the under the Think, Ask and Vote icon.

PSAC members have had the right to engage politically at the federal level since the union challenged the restrictions under the previous Public Service Employment Act (PSEA) back in 1991. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the only federal public sector workers who faced restrictions on political expression were deputy heads of departments. The Public Service Modernization Act changed the PSEA which has created new restrictions on all public service workers.

It has been brought to my attention that some departments and agencies are advising our members that they are not allowed to participate in the political process. This statement is overly broad and misleading.

|inline

The Labor Education and Research Centre at the Evergreen State College will be hosting its 16th Annual Summer School for Union Women, June 28-July 2nd, 2006, in Olympia, WA.

Find your Voice•Become Inspired•Learn by Doing•Make Great Connections•Have FunVisit evergreen.edu for more information.

In recent weeks, federal politicians have attempted to court the “immigrant vote” with certain policy announcements such as hose relating to Chinese Head Tax redress and the $975 landing fee. In response to such announcements, a diverse number of community-based groups will be challenging federal politicians to address immigration issues in a substantive manner at a press conference on Thursday January 12th at 10:30 am at Philippine Women’s Center (451 Powell St, Vancouver). Head Tax redress has become a key community-driven election issue. At least three Liberal cabinet ministers and the Prime Minister have now spoken about reversing their position of “no apology, no compensation”.

|inline

We are very proud of our ads. They underline the fact that Paul Martin’s B.C. Team has delivered results for B.C., and that Jack Layton isn’t the answer for progressive voters.

- B.C. federal Liberal campaign co-chair Mark Marissen

In an election campaign that has seen some big whoppers, describing the federal Liberals as the “progressive” answer for voters has to take the prize.

Let’s just see how progressive the Paul Martin Liberals really are.

|inline

The CBC needs your help! So far in this election campaign the politicians have been ignoring CBC and its need for increased funding. You would think the lockout never happened. We can’t let them get away with that. It’s important that you take action — right now — to let them know that CBC is important to Canada and that it’s important to you.

Visit supportcbc.ca and let the parties know you’re voting for a strong CBC.

The 2006 Education Schedule for the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island has been finalized. Courses for the North and Interior of BC will be posted soon.

Visit the Education page for details or head straight to the course sign up page

National Energy Systems Company president Chuck Martin broadcast an email Thursday afternoon saying that the U.S.-based NESCO would not seek a further appeal of the Federal Court’s November ruling against SE2.

Read more at abbotsfordtimes.com.

PSAC members on the Fraser Valley Area Council worked with other community groups in the Valley to fight against the construction of the large power plantjust across the border in Sumas, Washington.

Let’s make sure the voices of working people are sent to Ottawa on January 23, 2006.

When: Saturday January 7th, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Where: Hyatt Regency Ballroom, 655 Burrard Street, Vancouver

• Protect public healthcare, public education and training
• Stop the sale of Terasen and other critical parts of the economy
• Stop the use of scabs to destroy worker rights
• Public childcare for all Canadians
• Standing up to George Bush to protect jobs

Please Join Us - Look for the PSAC Banner. Come hear Jack Layton – Canada’s NDP Leader

Funding anti-poverty initiatives in Canada is one of five priority areas for the PSAC’s Social Justice Fund. As part of this the SJF funds initiatives that support a closer collaboration between union members and low income groups in the community, particularly activities that are part of anti-poverty coalitions at the community level. These activities include the development of educational initiatives or advocacy work such as letter writing, postcard campaigns, marches, white-band days and other similar activities.

Here is a list of groups and activities in BC that received funding assistance from the PSAC Social Justice Fund.

|inline

The 2005 Unity Conference was held September 23-25th in Halifax. The objectives of the 2005 National Unity Conference were:

* To enhance our understanding and analysis of the challenges facing Racially Visible and Aboriginal, Inuit and Métis communities in our fight against racism;

* To empower, politicize and mobilize to take action to ensure our Union, workplaces and communities are inclusive and racism free; and

* To strengthen our formal and informal networks, communication and to build solidarity between and among Racially Visible and Aboriginal, Inuit and Métis members at all levels within our Union.

The Final Report of the Unity Conference is now available at the national website.

Older news and information pertaining to Treasury Board units are archived in our old webspace. This section will be updated as time goes on.

BC PSAC Regional Health & Safety Conference, March 11/12, 2006 (note date change), Metrotown Hilton, Burnaby

The Conference will be focusing on indoor air quality and violence in the workplace: these regional priorities were identified by the BC Caucus at the last National H&S Conference.

The Conference will be a combination of workshops, panel speakers, and planning. More details and an agenda will be available soon.

For more information phone Jack Rudd @ 604.430.5631 x 229 or 1.800.663.1655.

Online registration for the Conference is available at our old webspace or download a PSAC BC Health and Safety Conference application form and mail or fax it back. Note that if you have registered for the Conference, originally scheduled for January 2006, there is no need to re-register.

(more…)

Visit the education pages for upcoming PSMA courses.

Training Needs

We’ve identified three levels of training necessary for Locals in B.C. to be prepared for the implementation of the PSMA.

1. in depth training for Local Presidents and Component RVP’s. This was available at the Union School.
2. comprehensive training for Stewards and Local Officers – both an overview and issue specific (e.g. staffing, grievances, etc)
3. broad overview training for rank and file members

Education Delivery

Recognizing that there are limited resources, we’ve identified a variety of ways in which to deliver this training.

|inline

Older news and information pertaining to Canada Post bargaining and strike are archived in our old webspace. This section will be updated as time goes on.