Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Here are some photos taken at recent PSAC and related events … updated June 28^th

Advanced Stewards Training in Vancouver

Members from many different components & locals came together at the beginning of the month to take four-day Advanced Steward Training courses held in Vancouver & Victoria. The objectives of the course were:

• To identify the roles and responsibilities of PSAC Stewards.
• To develop participants’ confidence in their ability to be effective Stewards in the workplace.
• To increase participants’ understanding of how to empower and motivate members.
• To provide participants with the opportunity to develop and practice the skills necessary to be effective advocates in representing their members.
• To motivate participants to use their knowledge and skills as Stewards to establish an effective union presence at the workplace.

Stewards from across the province built on their knowledge, skills and confidence so that they could provide effective representation in the workplace and mobilize members. Here are some photos, click the thumbnails for a larger view.

Visit the PSAC photo gallery for all the pictures taken at the Advanced Steward Training course in Vancouver.

Here are the members in Victoria who took the AST, click for a larger view …

Vancouver & District Labour Council Labour History night

The VDLC organized an event to celebrate Labour History in words and music. The feature performer was George Hewison, and his Rank and File Band. George has been living in Ontario for many years now, but he was a BC labour leader, with the Fisherman’s Union and also as a Vice President of the Vancouver and District Labour Council. George was a leader during the 1983 Operation Solidarity actions and has many stories to tell.

The evening started off with a wonderful set of songs performed by the Solidarity Notes Labour Choir, conducted by Earle Peach. They started with a celebration of the recent important court victory for Hospital employees, then ranged from songs about workers’ health and safety, to the song of the resistance in Chile, El Pueblo Unido.

The next group to perform was the Diggers. This is the trio consisting of Regina Brennan, Earle Peach and Dan Keeton, that was formed to bring us the musical labour history show which has been featured at many PSAC Union Schools, and will be featured again later this year. They talked and sang about the Diggers from England in the 1600’s to conditions for farm workers today. They finished with an original song, written by Earle Peach about one of our Union of Taxation Employees Area Strike Coordinators from the last CRA strike, who personifies the hard work and courage of the rank and file members who make a strike successful.

George and the Rank and File Band finished the evening up, with more motivational and inspiring music, and more acknowledgment to those who have gone before and those who have died for our cause.

The evening was a huge success, by all accounts, and was attended by many PSAC members, several of whom have emailed to say how much they enjoyed the evening, and one who went on to join the Solidarity Notes Labour choir as a result of coming to this event. Click the thumbnails for a larger view …

Last but not least, Victoria’s National Health & Welfare Local 20017 held their annual picnic this month … the weather didn’t fully cooperate but everyone had a great time anyway, cheers to Mandi Schubert (NHWU 20017) for the photos and the write-up!

Once again this year the NHWU Annual Picnic took place at the scenic grounds of the Saannich Historical Artifacts Society. Despite a smaller turnout due to poor weather conditions, everyone had a dry and enjoyable time under a big canopy tent, thanks to Anita Hoffman’s foresight.

Although many of the originally planned activities were restricted by the rain, everyone still managed to have fun in the covered areas. Thanks to Barb Calve and Sarah Burns, there were toys to keep the children entertained throughout the afternoon. Adults enjoyed good conversation, hearty laughs and the thrill of winning raffle prizes donated by our honoured guest, Gary Trivett from the NHWU National Office.

The picnic was a wonderful way for co-workers and their families to get to know each other and spend a little time together. Thank you to the organizers for their time and efforts in making the last NHWU picnic a success.