Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Surrey Delta Langley Area Council, September 26, 2006 Meeting Minutes, held at the Newton Seniors Center

Present: Terry Ruyter (UTE Local 20007), Sigrid Hagglund (UTE Local 20029), Carol Pegura (UTE Local 20029), Kim Forster (UTE Local 20029), Regina Brennan (PSAC Area Rep), Dale Odberg (UVAE Local 20029), Donna Cowan (UVAE Local 20029), Terry Bellec (UTE Local 20029), Johann Ackermann (UTE Local 20029), Jeremy Amour (UTE Local 20029), Sharon Palis (UTE Local 20029)

Guest: Kay Sinclair, REVP – BC Region.

Continue reading below or download the Surrey Delta Langley AC meeting minutes September 26 2006 (pdf)

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Surrey Delta Langley Area Council, March 22, 2006 Meeting Minutes, Days Inn

Present: Gary Fraser (PSAC Area Rep), Earla MacLean (UTE Local 20029), Hilde Sellmeyer (UTE Local 20007), Sigrid Hagglund (UTE Local 20029), Sharon Palis (UTE Local 20029), Johann Ackermann (UTE Local 20029), Kim Forster (UTE Local 20029), Carol Pegura(UTE Local 20029) , Terry Ruyter (UTE Local 20007), Kay Sinclair (UTE Local 20029 and alternate REVP).

Guests: Patti Ducharme (REVP – BC PSAC), Heather Brooker (President – National Component)

Continue reading below or download the Surrey Delta Langley AC meeting minutes March 22 2006 (pdf)

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Ottawa: FAFIA, a pan-Canadian alliance of women’s and human rights organizations, is denouncing the $5 million cut to the federal department of Status of Women over two years. These cuts will be taken from its modest annual budget of $13 million. The grants and contributions arm ($11 million) of the department was not affected.

“These cuts will critically affect the federal government’s own capacity to live up to its equality commitments to women,” said Shelagh Day, Co-Chair of the Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA).

FAFIA is also dismayed by the elimination of the Court Challenges Program. “This Program has provided women in Canada with their only access to the use of their constitutional equality rights,” said Shelagh Day. “Equality rights have no meaning in Canada if women, and other Canadians who face discrimination, cannot use them.”

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Racially Visible members,

It has been along time since members of Racially Visible Minority group have met and discussed any issues that may be outstanding. Therefore, I would like to request if we can possibly get together and meet within the next few weeks?

Monday or Wednesday nights or Saturday or Sunday afternoons work great for me. Depending on the number of people attending will determine the location.Please let me know what dates are better so I can make arrangements. I apologize for not attending the last few Human Rights meetings. The Human Rights meetings seem to be scheduled days that I have conflict.

I look forward to hearing from you all soon.

Thank you, Sargy Chima, PSAC Regional Council Rep for Racially Visible members

ph:(604) 945-1720
e: sargy.chima@servicecanada.gc.ca

BC Human Rights Committee Meeting Minutes, September 20, 2006

In Attendance: Tracy, Sylvia, Sanda, Deanna, Carol, Kim & Craig

Regrets: Sargy, Rex, Carolyn, Lana, Todd, Floyd, Rodney & Katie

Download the BC Human Rights Committee minutes, Sept 20 2006 (pdf) or continue reading below.

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The Public Service Alliance of Canada, like the rest of the country, is angered by the Conservative government’s September 25th announcement that they are cutting programs and spending, while racking up a record surplus of $13.2 billion. PSAC National President John Gordon indicated that while the union is in the process of analysing the details of the government’s cuts, it does mean bad news for Canadians who depend on social services and a strong public service.

• News: Federal spending cuts attacked @ canada.com

Announcement by announcement, the government is revealing its true agenda, says Gordon. The Conservatives are shedding the moderate image they cultivated during the last election and showing their true colours by eliminating or cutting social programs and programs that support human rights and advance womens equality. Gordon noted that research, literacy and youth programs are also victims of this latest announcement.

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PSAC SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND DISTRICT AREA COUNCIL – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING MINUTES September 19, 2006 -PSAC Victoria Regional Office

Members Present:

• Nick Humphreys – UEW 20169
• Peter Neelands – NRU 20088
• John Rumsby – UTE 20028
• Todd Genereux – UNDE 21011
• Cindy Little – UTE 20028
• Graeme Goodmanson – UEW 20169
• Louise Richard – NAT 20088
• Renée Young – UCTE 20220
• Dave Jackson – Regional Rep

Download the Southern Vancouver Island & District Area Council AGM minutes, Sept 19 2006 (pdf) or continue reading below.

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Trends, a quarterly newsletter produced by the PSAC Negotiations Section, presents current economic and labour market data in Canada to give PSAC members and staff an overview of the current state of the Canadian economy. In this edition, we describe the Canadian economic trends for the first six months (1st and 2nd quarter) of 2006, and we present some projections for 2007.

Contents:

• Economic growth: How has the Canadian economy performed?
• Job creation: Is the Canadian economy creating jobs?
• Prices & inflation: How much have prices risen since the start of the year?
• Negotiated wages in Canada: How much have recently negotiated wages risen?
• Regional economic trends

Dowload Trends, edition 7, fall 2006 (pdf)

PSAC – Okanagan Regional Women’s Committee, Minutes of Meeting – June 23, 2006, Perkins Restaurant, Kelowna

In Attendance:

• Susan Yaciw UTE 20003
• Maria-Luiza Romano AGR 20027
• Jennifer Leenhouts CEIU 20972
• Ruth Eisworth UTE 20026
• Kareen Stanich AGR 20043
• Kelley Megyesi
• Darrell-Lee McKenzie AGR 20043
• Linda Woods NAT 20140
• Roberta Gourlie CEIU 20915

The meeting was called to order at 7:25 p.m. with Jennifer Leenhouts in the chair.

Download the Okanagan RWC minutes June 23 2006 (pdf) or continue reading below.

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PSAC – Okanagan Regional Women’s Committee, Minutes of Meeting – March 18, 2006. The Coast Capri Hotel, Kelowna

In Attendance:

• Susan Yaciw UTE 20003
• Joy Harrison UTE 20003
• Jennifer Leenhouts CEIU 20972
• Kareen Stanich AGR 20043
• Linda Woods NAT 20140
• Roberta Gourlie CEIU 20915
• Maria-Luiza Romano AGR 20027
• Ruth Eisworth UTE 20026
• Regina Brennan PSAC Regional Representative
• Patty Ducharme REVP

The meeting was called to order at 11:35 a.m. with Joy Harrison in the chair.

Download the Okanagan RWC minutes March 18 2006 (pdf) or continue reading below.

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PSAC members from Treasury Board locals who are interested in facilitating workshops for the PSAC-PSHRMAC Joint Learning Program (JLP) can apply on-line to become program facilitators.

The next JLP Facilitator Orientation course in the BC region will be in Vancouver from November 6 – 10, 2006. The deadline date for applications is September 29, 2006. For more information, visit the JLP web site.

via BC Human Rights Committee

History is never neutral. Framing is everything. Take Vancouver’s anti-Asian riots of 1907.

On September 7 of that year, the Asiatic Exclusion League led a parade to City Hall at Main and Hastings streets, calling for an end to Asian immigration to British Columbia. More than 8,000 people, including local politicians, labour leaders, and members of fraternal organizations, rallied with banners reading Stand for a White Canada.

Only 2,000 could fit in City Hall, so crowds drifted to Chinatown, a block away. A rock thrown through a store window touched off a rampage of smashed signs and glass, and looting that continued into neighbouring Japantown, where the crowd faced some resistance before police showed up to quell the violence.

In the following days, Chinese and Japanese armed themselves with guns, preparing for another siege. They held a general strike, refusing to go to their jobs in homes, restaurants, and mills.

William Lyon Mackenzie King, then federal deputy minister of labour, held hearings on the riot. Almost a year later, damages were awarded: $26,000 to the Chinese, $9,000 to the Japanese.

Henry Yu, an associate professor of history at UBC, sees 2007 not just as the 100th anniversary of the 1907 riots but marking three other key years in the history of Asian immigration to Pacific Canada: 1947, 1967, and 1997.

Continue reading at straight.com

OTTAWA – The Harper government has once again shown that it has little interest in women’s equality in the workforce, says the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

“In a response to the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women, the Conservatives have said there will be no new, proactive pay equity legislation, ignoring the recommendations of a Federal Pay Equity Task Force,” says PSAC National Executive Vice-President Patty Ducharme.

• Information about the Pay Equity Network at the CLC website.

The Task Force spent three years consulting with employers and employer organizations, unions, women’s groups and individuals, as well as commissioning research on the issue of pay equity. In May 2004, the Task Force issued its report calling for a complete overhaul of the current complaint-based federal pay equity law. Instead of a new law, the government is proposing increased education, specialized mediation assistance and compliance monitoring.

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Please join Concerned Canadians and Filipinos in Canada in marking the 34-year anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines.

On September 21, 1972 in the Philippines, former dictator Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law. For 14 years, the Filipino people suffered unprecedented human rights violations and terror — drawing the attention and sympathy of the world. The iron-fisted dictator Marcos was eventually defeated by the Filipino people and the solidarity of peace-loving people all over the world.

Now, 34 years later, the Filipino people are once again facing another iron-fisted president. Since 2001, there have been 750 extra-judicial killings, 184 forced disapperances, and more arbitrary arrests under Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration. These gross human rights violations have intensified under Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her military counter-insurgency campaign Oplan Bantay Laya (Operation Freedom Watch). The overwhelming majority of the victims of Oplan Bantay Laya are leaders and members of progressive community organizations, like the Cordillera Peoples’ Alliance, trade unions, human rights groups, and political parties, like Bayan Muna (People First) asserting national freedom, social justice, democracy, and lasting peace in the Philippines.

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CFIA National Bargaining Conference 2006 – Day 1

The conference began with a keynote speech delivered by Robyn Benson, AEC officer assigned to the CFIA bargaining unit.  Sister Benson provided an overview of our last bargaining cycle and the changes implemented to improve the process in this round.  She outlined the activities for the next two and one-half days, highlighting the fact that conference participants are expected to discuss the bargaining demands package and bargaining priorities, elect a negotiating team, and develop communication and mobilization plans.  She further emphasized that preparation and planning are key elements to successful negotiations.  Her role and responsibilities were also clearly outlined to the group.

The 21 participants in attendance received a presentation about the challenges we face with the new Public Service Modernization Act. They were also told that the PSAC is willing and ready to rise to the challenge in order to reach a fair collective agreement for its members at the CFIA.

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via Multi-Union Pride

The fall session of Parliament begins today. That means we’re in the home stretch leading to a vote to re-open the divisive equal marriage debate, which Prime Minister Harper has promised will take place this fall.

We believe we’ll win this vote, and put an end to the threat that now hangs over LGBT people and all Canadians who believe in equality. However, equality opponents know this is their last chance, and they are going all out to pressure MPs. They wrongly say equal marriage is a threat to children and to religious freedom and that Bill C-38 was rushed through Parliament without proper study.

According to a September 4 Hill Times story, an alliance of 13 traditional marriage, family and religious advocacy groups will launch a 15-point lobbying campaign beginning on Sept. 18. The alliance will bring religious leaders, local leaders, and political leaders to Ottawa to meet with their respective MPs, and will have prayer rallies in front of MP offices across the country.

Read more at equal-marriage.ca and tell your MP you oppose re-opening the divisive equal marriage debate.

Via South Vancouver Island Area Council

Help ensure sustainable, local jobs and sustainability in BC’s forests!

• Saturday September 16, 2006, Victoria BC
• 11:30AM
• Meet at Centennial Square by City Hall (Pandora and Broad St.), then march down Government Street to Legislative Buildings
• 12 noon – 1:30PM
• Rally at Legislative Buildings with PPWC, Steelworkers, B.C. Federation of Labour, Save Our Valley Alliance, Youbou Timberless Society, WCWC, Sierra Club, NDP, Green Party

Vote for better aid

Hundreds of thousands of Canadians support the Make Poverty History call for “more and better aid”. It means more aid spending for the world’s poor but better spending too – more focused, more effective. Now there is a chance to make sure that Members of Parliament (MPs) vote for not just more aid but better aid.

On September 19th and 20th MPs in the House of Commons will debate and vote on legislation (Bill C-293) to ensure Canada’s aid spending will go exclusively for poverty reduction and the promotion of human rights along with humanitarian assistance. It’s a great idea for a law that will make sure aid is not mis-spent and will go to beat global poverty.

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STOP THE POLITICAL KILLINGS IN THE PHILIPPINES!

• Community Forum
• Sunday, September 17, 2006
• St. Mary’s Parish, 5251 Joyce Street, Church Basement, 2:00 PM
• Refreshments will be served
• Hosted by St. Mary’s Development and Peace Parish Committee

On September 21, 1972 in the Philippines, former dictator Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law. For 14 years, the Filipino people suffered unprecedented human rights violations and terror — drawing the attention and sympathy of the world. The iron-fisted dictator Marcos was eventually defeated by the Filipino people and the solidarity of peace-loving people all over the world.

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The PSAC has advised its Components with members in Treasury Board bargaining units and/or in the Parks Canada unit that November 30, 2006 is the deadline for providing proposals for bargaining demands for the next round of negotiations.

The union has also mailed a copy of a new Program of Demands document to each Local/Branch President in these bargaining units. It is also available on this web site. The document has been developed to facilitate the work of the Locals/Branches. It includes a general list of wage and non-wage bargaining demands for consideration.

• Download the Program of Demands documents at the national website.

Each Component will be sending an input call to its Locals/Branches giving them a deadline to provide their proposals. The Program of Demands document provides instructions about how to respond to this input call, as well as information about using the input forms and what makes a good bargaining demand.

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