Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

OTTAWA – The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) says the federal government needs to change a number of its practices if it is to meet the challenges of the changing demographic of the federal public sector.

PSAC National President John Gordon, appearing today before the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, called for changes in staffing approaches and practices if the federal government is to meet the challenges of an aging workforce.

• Read John’s presentation at the national website.

“Staffing for part-time or short-term needs does not attract the same consideration of employment equity objectives as are in place when an employer is staffing on an indeterminate basis,” says Gordon in response to a statement by the President of the Public Service Commission (PSC) that 88.6% of federal staffing is in term, student and casual positions.

According to the PSC’s 2004-05 Annual Report, approximately 65% of those hired permanently into the federal public service were hired from a pool of temporary workers. “Perhaps this is why a Senate Committee recently described this practice as a ‘significant stumbling block’ to achieving employment equity,” says Gordon. “Reducing, if not eliminating, these back door opportunities is the solution and it’s a solution that our staffing agencies ignore.”

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Via BC Federation of Labour

• Saturday, March 31, 11am – 12:30pm
• Burrard Bridge, Vancouver
• Gather at 11am at Seaforth Peace Flame Park (south end of bridge by Cornwall Ave.)
• Calling parents, grandparents, early childhood educators and child care supporters to span the bridge sidewalks with signs and songs!

March 30-31 marks the elimination of federal-provincial childcare funding agreements by the Harper Conservatives. It also marks the closure of several childcare resource and referral centres in BC and the elimination of critical services to working families as a result of funding cuts by the Campbell Liberals.

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Relatives, unions decry declining standards.

Did Amarjit Kaur Bal, Sarabjit Kaur Sidhu and Sukhwinder Kaur Punia die in vain? The results from a meeting held March 15 in downtown Vancouver may determine the answer to that question.

• B.C. Fed submits recommendations to improve working conditions & safety of BC farmworkers
• Read a history of BC farmworkers

Family members of farmworkers killed in the roll-over accident of an overloaded labour contractor’s van last week and leaders of the B.C. labour movement met on the morning of March 15 with Minister of Labour Olga Ilich and Minister of Agriculture Pat Bell in Vancouver. They presented a comprehensive list of 30 proposals to remedy safety and employment standards abuses in B.C. fields and greenhouses. The submission to the ministers also calls on the government to strike down a controversial memorandum signed by the BC Liberals and the province’s large agricultural organizations, which critics say has paved the way for lax enforcement of safety and employment standards protections in the industry.

Read more at thetyee.ca.

VDLC Education Committee presents a public meeting with Kent Wong:

How can Labour Work More Effectively in Asian Communities

Friday, March 30, 7:30 pm, Maritime Labour Centre, Boardroom 1

Kent Wong is the Director of the Center of Labor Research & Education at UCLA. Founding President of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (fist national organization of Asian union members & workers). Kent regularly addresses labour, community, civil rights, university & student conferences across the US and is involved in developing international labour solidarity in the Pacific Rim.

Please RSVP to Keziah at the VDLC Office: office@vdlc.ca

“Transforming Our World: Moving Forward”

The 2007 PSAC National Access Conference will be held September 7 to 9, 2007 at the Westin Ottawa Hotel in Ottawa under the theme “Transforming Our World: Moving Forward”.

The objectives of the 2007 PSAC National Access Conference are:

• To defend quality public services for persons with disabilities
• To empower and engage persons with disabilities to take action and move the disability agenda forward
• To better connect and to include persons with disabilities in our communities, our workplaces and our union
• To lobby in order to transform and to advance the disability rights agenda
• To provide tools to advocate for disability rights in our communities, our workplaces and our union.

For more information and to apply online, visit the national website. Note that the registration deadline is May 10, 2007 and the resolutions submission deadline is May 24, 2007.

PSAC Vancouver & District Area Council Meeting – March 6, 2007

In attendance: Sam Wiese (CEIU 20949), Deanna Wilson (NAT 20088), Sharon Tieman (UPCE 20101), Megan Adam (UEW 20147), Rand Ameye (GSU 20008), Karim Lawji (CEUDA 20040), Keith Macdonald (UCTE 20221), Velna Clarke (NAT 20088), Neil Gaba (DCL 20020), Rhonda Johns (UPCE 20095), Monica Urrutia (PSAC staff – minute taker)

Regrets: Carolyn McGillivray, Bob Jackson, Angela Marafon

1. Welcome & introductions

-Meeting was called to order at 5:58 pm.

Continue reading below or download the Vancouver Area Council meeting, March 6 2007 minutes (pdf).

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Burnaby, B.C. – Over fifty concerned Canadians vowed to take immediate action to condemn the rapidly deteriorating situation of human rights and democracy in the Philippines last night at a local community forum, “Building People to People Solidarity.”

Here are some more photos.

Kay Sinclair, Regional Executive Vice-President of the B.C. Region for the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), one of the evening’s co-sponsors, cited the growing concern of trade unionists over the worsening political repression in the Philippines.

The Philippines is considered the second most dangerous country for trade unionists (second to Colombia). Since 2001, 83 workers, trade unionists, leaders and advocates have been killed. They are part of the documented 855 extra-judicial killings since 2001.

• Send an email to the Canadian & Philippine governments, demand justice and human rights now!

“We encourage our members to write letters to the Philippine President to protest the government’s recent arrest of Bayan Muna (People First) Congressman Satur Ocampo – a progressive opposition party parliamentarian.”

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To: PSAC-BC self identified members with a disability,

Sent on behalf of Carol Pegura, B.C. Regional Council District Coordinator for Fraser Valley West and Floyd Knelsen, B.C. Regional Council Equity Coordinator for Members with Disabilities

On September 7, 2007 the 2007 PSAC National Access Conference will be held in Ottawa. Sister Carol Pegura has been fortunate to be chosen to sit on the steering committee for this important conference. The Access Conference provides an essential opportunity for members to meet, network and identify strategies and solutions for advancing human rights and equity issues. Clear conference objectives and a focused mandate are needed to insure this conference benefits participants and the Union as a whole. Workers with disabilities represent the best source of information on how to eradicate disabilities-based discrimination.

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The B.C. Federation of Labour is stepping up efforts to gain a much-needed pay raise for BC’s lowest paid workers by winning an increase in the provincial minimum wage.

Please join us on:

• DATE: SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2007
• TIME: 1:00 to 3:00 pm
• PLACE: BROADWAY AND COMMERCIAL SKYTRAIN STATION

Together with members of our Young Workers Committee and special guests like NDP MP Libby Davies, we’ll be distributing campaign materials and getting signatures on our $10 NOW petition.

Visit bcfed.com for more information about the $10 Now campaign.

via BC Federation of Labour

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers need your support!

Saturday, March 24^th, 11AM – 1PM, Vancouver International Airport Terminal

• Save the jobs of 700 Aviation Maintenance Professionals in Vancouver
• Help us put an end to the corporate race to contract Aviation Maintenance in Canada to lowest foreign bidder
• Ensure that the security and safety of the flying public is paramount

Speakers:

• Angela Schira, Secretary Treasurer, B.C. Federation of Labour
• Carlos Da Costa, Transportation Coordinator, IAMAW Member, Local Lodge 764, IAMAW
• Peter Julian, Federal NDP, Member of Parliament BC NDP MLA
• Jim Coller, PDGC, District Lodge 140, IAMAW

Gathering Point: 10:30 Sea Island Elementary School, corner of Miller Road and Templeton. Lots of Parking. Rain or Shine, Dress accordingly.

March and Demonstration: 11:00 am Vancouver International Airport Terminal in the grass area across from the Airport RCMP Station which is located at the West End of Miller Road, right hand side of the outgoing Domestic Departures Ramps.

Vancouver, B.C. – The recent arrest of Philippine Congressman Satur Ocampo and the intensifying human rights violations and political repression in the Philippines has sparked international concern, including that of Canadian labour unions.

• Click to send an email message to the Philippine Government calling for justice and human rights in the Philippines.

The B.C. region of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), one of Canada’s largest unions, is co-sponsoring a forum “Building People to People Solidarity” to coincide with the Permanent People’s Tribunal: Second Session on the Philippines (which is occurring in the Netherlands). This forum will be held Thursday, March 22, 2007 from 7-9 p.m. at the Bonsor Recreation Complex, 6550 Bonsor Ave. in Burnaby.

Kay Sinclair, Regional Executive Vice-President of the PSAC for B.C. shares, “We need to build awareness amongst our members and other trade unionists about the grave political situation, for trade unionists and other activists, in the Philippines.”

“It is part of our effort towards international solidarity,” adds Sinclair.

The forum expects to gather around 100 people including trade unionists, members of the local Filipino-Canadian and Indigenous Filipino community and other human rights activists and concerned Canadians.

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download the BC Regional Council meeting April 2,3 2006 minutes (pdf) or continue reading below

PSAC-BC Human Rights Committee – Minutes of March 15, 2007 meeting

In attendance

• Vancouver RO: Carol Pegura (chair), Kim Forster, Alexander Bishop, Sanda Turner, Monica Urrutia (PSAC staff – minutes)
• via teleconference: Floyd Knelsen
• Regrets: Sargy Chima, Carolyn McGillivray, Todd Harding, Craig Langston

Continue reading below, or download the PSAC BC Human Rights Committee meeting minutes – March 15 2007 (pdf)

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PSAC Vancouver Regional Women’s Committee Meeting September 13, 2006

In Attendance

• Alethea Boire
• Sargy Cheema
• Patricia Ganczar
• Stephanie Oostrander
• Cheryl Oenema
• Sanda Turner
• Monica Urrutia
• Deanna Wilson

Regrets

• Regina Brennan
• Kim Forster
• Angela Marafon
• Carol Pegura

Speakers

• Danielle Bisnar
• Marilou Carrillo

Continue reading below, or download the Vancouver RWC meeting minutes, September 13 2006 (pdf)The meeting opened with a welcome to members of the Women’s Committee and to the members of the Human Rights Committee. We had a roundtable where everyone introduced herself and then the floor was given to the speakers, two board members from The Philippine Women Center of BC.

The speakers talked about the “Stop the Killings” awareness campaign. 750 politicized killings have occurred in the Philippines since President Gloria Arroyo took power. These 750 people include trade unionists, church people, journalists, lawyers, human rights workers, ordinary workers and peasants. Many of these people were critical of the Arroyo government in its failure to address poverty and corruption.

Progress is slowly being made though. A Women’s Political Party has been formed in the Philippines. One woman won a seat in the election. Popular vote determines who gets seats. It is the people who are mobilizing people. Unfortunately, these are the ones that are being murdered.

They also spoke about the make-up of the Philippines. 80% of the population are urban poor and peasants. This inequality is pushing people to migrate. Statistics say that 3000 people leave the Philippines every day, and 60-70% of these people are women. They go to low paying jobs overseas, yet most are university educated.

The speakers noted that locally, weekly vigils are held in front of the Canadian consulate in the hopes that it will put pressure on the Canadian government to act and bring awareness to the problem.
Donations to the BC Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines can be made as well.

Alethea Boire asked if there was anything the PSAC Vancouver Women’s Committee could do and Danielle mentioned that the Committee could send their own statement to Peter McKay about the killings in the Philippines, to which all in attendance agreed to.

After the speakers were finished, the remainder of committee business was tended to.

Alethea noted that 3 boxes of mugs have been donated to the Downtown Eastside Women’s Center. Sanda noted that she forgot to bring her mugs tonight, but will bring them at a later date.

Childcare campaigns were discussed and whether or not our committee wanted to ‘piggyback’ on a current campaign. Monica spoke about the “Childcare-Kids are Worth It” campaign, and handed out buttons for us to wear and to hand out. Sanda mentioned that the YWCA might be a good resource for childcare campaigns. Cheryl offered to look into any assistance the YWCA can provide.

Monica also mentioned that Grassroots Women is holding a one-day childcare forum on October 21st and invited the sisters to attend.

Alethea noted that it is usual for the Women’s Committee to give honorariums to speakers at our meetings. She made a motion “ to give a $100 honorarium to the Philippine Women’s Center of BC”
M/s/c Boire/Oenema

Adjournment: 7:10

PSAC Women’s Committee Meeting June 15, 2006

In Attendance

• Alethea Boire
• Regina Brennan
• Parveen Deepak
• Patricia Ganczar
• Angela Marafon
• Deanna Wilson

The meeting started at 17:55.

Continue reading below or download the Vancovuer RWC meeting minutes, June 15 2006 (pdf)

There was no update to the finances.

Deanna gave a verbal report on the CLC Women’s Conference. A written report will follow at a later date. Highlights of the conference included an organized lobby (about child care) to MPs at Parliament Hill, and a selection of interpretive dances performed by the Dandelion Dance Group. She also participated in workshops while at the conference.

The participants present at the meeting discussed the September meeting and what should be on the agenda. The Conservative childcare agenda was discussed and ideas such as an email or postcard campaign were mentioned.
Parveen to connect with BC Federation of Labour and email links to the Women’s Committee.

Angela to contact Christine (CEIU) to talk to Val Burgey about the “Hands Off” campaign (Ontario campaign to bring awareness to childcare issues).

The Filipino Women’s Center has offered to send a speaker to speak at one of the Women’s Committee meetings. All were in agreement that the September meeting would be a good time for this to happen. Angela to contact Monica Urritia re: Filipino Women’s Center speaker.

Because there will be a speaker at the next meeting, the poster for the September meeting will specify that the meeting is at 5:30 and the speaker starts at 6:00 sharp. Also at the end of this meeting, the co-chairs will ask people if they want to stay and discuss events around December 6th and the child care campaigns.

Angela discussed the possibility of adding a line item to next year’s budget for “transportation” and “child care”. All agreed that this should be revisited when we plan our budget for 2007.

Angela noted that she is in the process of following up on Marcia Bradley’s video for showing at a Women’s Committee meeting.

Regina noted that there is an on-going information picket in front of the Real Canadian Superstore on Grandview Hwy. Westfair Foods is a supplier to Superstore and they are on strike because their employer wants to reduce the wages of all new hires dramatically (almost half the wages of those employed currently).

The meeting was adjourned at 19:00.

Today is the United Nations (UN) International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It’s a day observed all around the world to focus attention on the need to promote racial harmony. The UN made this designation in 1966 to mark a tragic event that took place on March 21, 1960 in Sharpeville, South Africa, when 69 peaceful demonstrators were killed during a protest against apartheid. Here is  the PSAC Statement on March 21st:

In the current context of globalization, deep integration of our economies and the war against terrorism, people of colour and Aboriginal peoples suffer racism that subject them to economic, political and social marginalization.

Adequate resources should be allocated to Aboriginal communities for their housing, education, medical, and other social needs and should be a government priority. However, the Federal 2007 Budget did not allocate any specific funding for Aboriginal communities even though they are among the most disadvantaged in Canada which is well known internationally Canada has been repeatedly called upon to address the oppression and systemic barriers faced by Aboriginal peoples.

As well, racialized people from Arab and Muslim communities are increasingly being portrayed in stereotypical and negative ways in our communities and workplaces since September 11, 2001. Anti-terrorism measures have been put in place and implemented that specifically target certain communities. It has become more acceptable to consider limits to religious accommodation, particularly accommodation of people from the Muslim faith, because they are contrary to “Canadian values.”

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Education Forum: Stop Political Killings in the Philippines

Join us to hear about the recently concluded Canadian human rights fact-finding mission to the Philippines to discuss ways that concerned and peace-loving Canadians can help to stop the political killings.

Presented by PSAC-B.C. (Public Service Alliance of Canada-B.C. Region) and the Vancouver Steering Committee for the “Stop the Killings in the Philippines” Campaign & endorsed by the Vancouver and District Labour Council

• Thursday, March 22, 2007
• 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
• Bonsor Recreation Complex
• 6550 Bonsor Avenue (Bonsor @ Central), Burnaby

Refreshments will be served, please RSVP to Amal Rana.

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OTTAWA – In spite of its claims, the latest Conservative budget is not going to make Canada better or safer, nor will it make it fairer, according to the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).

“The federal budget proposes to establish a $25-million office to foster public-private partnerships (P3s), when what Canadians need and deserve are quality public services that are publicly funded and delivered,” says PSAC National President John Gordon.

The budget calls for $1.26 billion over 7 years in a national fund for unspecified public-private partnerships, as well as $2.1 billion for gateways and border crossings, including the new Windsor-Detroit access which is already earmarked as a P3 initiative.

“Despite the Conservative budget’s praise for P3s in other countries, experience actually shows that public-private partnerships are less accountable and produce higher long-term costs,” says Gordon. “If our tax dollars are paying for this country’s infrastructure, then we should own it. P3s are simply a way to guarantee corporate profits at taxpayers’ expense.”

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forwarded by PSAC member, Anne-Marie Sleeman

VICTORIA – The Province is launching an enhanced WorkAble Solutions website that will directly connect British Columbians with disabilities who are looking for work to employers that have jobs available,Employment and Income Assistance Minister Claude Richmond announced today.

“Many people with disabilities find it difficult to secure employment that matches their skills and abilities. At the same time the demand for skilled workers is great,” said Richmond. “This site provides an excellent meeting place to bring together qualified job seekers with disabilities with employers who have positions that need to be filled.”

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Join the PSAC Regional Education Program for an Open House and Union Cafe on Friday, March 23rd

• Regional Education Program Open House and Union Cafe
• Friday, March 23rd 7pm-9pm
• Coast Prince Rupert Hotel, 118 6th Street, Banquet Room

The PSAC Regional Education Program is hitting the road to talk to members about your education needs! We’ve just started a new 3 year cycle for the program, and we need your help in identifying the short and long term goals and direction of our program. This is your union education program so come out and tell us what kinds of courses and training you’d like to see offered!

Light refreshments will be served.