Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

It is a privilege to submit the report of the Regional Executive Vice-President to the delegates, observers, and guests of the 2008 BC Regional Triennial Convention and to the membership of the Public Service Alliance of Canada in BC.

While the REVP-BC is required by the BC Region By-Laws to submit this report to Convention, I do so on behalf of, and thanks to, all members and staff who contribute to PSAC BC. Whether it is as a member of the PSAC BC Regional Council, a Local or Branch Executive member, an activist on a regional committee, a Component national or regional officer, a strike captain, a steward, a rank-and-file member, or a PSAC regional staff member, you make a difference in our Region, and you make our Union strong.

This report highlights some of our main accomplishments over the past three years, and perhaps more specifically since I took office as REVP for B.C. in May 2006.

Download this document as a .pdf: Report of the REVP to the 2008 BC Regional Convention or continue reading below

I take this opportunity to thank my predecessor, Patty Ducharme, for her dedication and hard work in building the B.C. Region, and for her ongoing support since she was elected as National Executive Vice-President at the 2006 PSAC Convention.

PSAC BC: Who We Are

PSAC BC has over 13,700 members from 13 Components and three Directly Chartered Locals. Members in PSAC BC work for federal government departments, agencies and Crown corporations; and in federally-regulated private sector operations and services. We work in environmental protection; (the ever popular) tax collection; passports; food safety; grain inspection and weighing; transportation safety; national defense; border services; employment insurance; airport maintenance and administration; and more.

In the past year, PSAC B.C. welcomed members in the new Directly Chartered Local for the Mainland Commissionaires. These members, who are currently negotiating their first collective agreement, provide security services at Library Square, Vancouver International Airport, and at Seal Cove Coast Guard Base in Rupert. This Local joins the Vancouver Island Commissionaires Local as one of the two Commissionaires Locals in PSAC B.C.

B.C. includes 142 Locals or Branches, eight Area Councils, four Regional Women’s Committees, an International Solidarity Committee, the B.C. Human Rights Committee, the BRUSH (British Columbia Regional Union Safety and Health Committee), the Education Committee, and the B.C. Political Action Committee.

PSAC B.C. Regional Council

In between Regional Conventions, PSAC BC is governed by the PSAC BC Regional Council (see chart below). The PSAC BC Regional Council has met seven times since the last PSAC B.C. Convention.

Together, we have listened to the membership, and we have made decisions in that we believe are in the best interests of our Region and our Union.

B.C. Regional Council Achievements

Some achievements of the PSAC B.C. Regional Council over the past three years include, but are not limited to:

• the International Solidarity Committee is moving forward in B.C. The Committee will focus on working with Filipino and Colombian human rights and union activists here in B.C. and abroad.
• the Council’s Donations Committee has developed a new, proactive approach to donations: five organizations have been identified to which PSAC B.C. provides financial support;
• with the budget it receives, the Education Committee has implemented a well-received education schedule and the allocation of subsidies based on fairness and members’ needs;
• Council members have taken on leadership roles on Area Councils and Committees, and in their communities, and more specifically when it comes to political action and social justice issues, the leadership of the Regional Council shows;
• in January 2008, the Regional Council held a joint meeting with National Officers in B.C. to discuss common issues, strategies and ways to work together throughout the region on issues like bargaining and mobilization and political action; feedback from this meeting was positive and the request was made to schedule these meetings regularly over the next three years.

Political Action: PSAC B.C. Leads the Way

PSAC activists and members in B.C. can be proud of the work we have done over the past three years on political action, and connecting PSAC B.C. to the broader labour and social justice movements.

PSAC B.C.’s federal election proposal, with funding from national and the region, will provide for election material to be mailed to members. The plan includes members working in targeted ridings to support candidates and parties who support public services and our collective bargaining goals.

Area Councils and Political Action

In February 2007, a planning session was held with representatives from the eight Area Councils in B.C. Discussions focused on political action, federal election planning, and organizational development. Results of the PSAC poll conducted in the summer of 2006 showed that members see a legitimate role for their Union in political action, and there is willingness to get involved if asked.

The B.C. Federation of Labour also, gave a presentation on the Count Me In Campaign conducted during the B.C. provincial election in 2006. The training was well received.

Concretely, the training paved the way for a revamped regional political action network and for a better understanding of the role of Area Councils in lobbying and political action generally.

Area Councils have been active in lobbying, for example on the fight for Bill C-257, federal anti-scab legislation.

Women’s Equality

PSAC B.C. joined the fight-back campaign against Harper’s cuts to women’s equality – including the cuts to Status of Women Canada, the elimination of the Court Challenges program, and the failure to act on a national child care program and pay equity legislation.

Status of Women Canada’s Vancouver Office was one of twelve Regional Offices that Harper shut down. But it didn’t go unnoticed.

A press conference was held with women’s organizations and unions, which I attended. We spoke against Harper’s cuts, and supported the occupation of the SWC Vancouver office on January 18, 2007. When women in B.C. finally got a meeting with the then Status of Women Minister Bev Oda in March 2007, I and other PSAC members joined with other activists in the outside demonstration.

Regional Women’s Committees

RWCs in B.C. have been involved in activities in support of the Child Care Code Blue Campaign. In September 2006, Regional Women’s Committee representatives came together in Vancouver to share strategies and plan activities.

B.C. Regional Women’s Conference – Women and the Environment

Over 80 PSAC women attended the B.C. Regional Women’s Conference held September 18-20, 2007. Under the theme Women and the Environment, participants heard from panelists on the environment and women’s health, on ongoing water and forestry campaigns, and about communities and environmental activists coming together to defend and protect the environment.

From the conference, there has been an increased awareness of environmental issues and the importance of women speaking out on the environment.

As an elected officer of the PSAC, one of my national portfolios is the Environment, and the knowledge and discussions at the Regional Women’s Conference have been of great benefit.

As to our own backyard, the B.C. Regional Council will work to incorporate green practices into the Council’s activities.

I would like to thank the representatives of all four of the Regional Women’s Committees who worked hard and collegially to make this Women’s Conference a great conference.

Pride

Vancouver was the proud host of PSAC’s National Pride Conference in March 2006, which I had the privilege to Co-Chair. PSAC LGBT members from around the country heard from B.C. LGBT activists and shared and stratagized together in workshops.

PSAC is a regular participant in Vancouver Pride Parade as part of the Vancouver Multi-Union Pride Committee.

Most recently, in August 2007, the Council’s LGBT Coordinator Steve Houston worked on the float that was named “Peace and Joy”. Steve and other Multi-Union Pride Committee members work creatively to put an entry into the Vancouver Pride Parade each year.

International Solidarity

The International Solidarity Committee has played an active role in raising issues affecting trade unionists and social activists in Canada and beyond.

Initiatives include endorsing a Public Forum on human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Pakistan; and raising awareness on the launch of the International Migrants’ Alliance focused on the rights of Filipino migrants in Canada.

Regional Council member Megan Adam represented PSAC on the multi-union Defending Quality Public Services Tour in Colombia. The tour focused on the very harsh implications of privatization and government repression of trade union and human rights. Colombia continues to be the most dangerous place in the world to be a trade unionist. International solidarity and raising awareness of the dire situation is all the more necessary in this context.

Youth

The election of a Coordinator for Youth on the B.C. Regional Council in 2005 has been a great benefit to involving our young members and advancing youth issues in our region.

For example, the Coordinator for Youth represents the PSAC on the B.C. Federation of Labour Young Workers’ Committee. PSAC young workers have been involved in the fight to obtain provincial legislation to address the safety of workers working alone at night. As a result of their efforts, Grant’s Law took effect on February 1st, 2008. This law, named after a young man who was killed while trying to stop a “gas and dash”, provides for protections and safeguards for workers (often in gas stations or convenience stores) working alone at night. In fact the law provides more protection for gas station workers regardless of their shift. Congratulations to the Youth Coordinator and other young activists who worked hard (and often at night doing outreach) to make Grant’s Law a reality.

Several PSAC youth members are facilitators in the B.C. Federation of Labour’s health and safety project, aimed at educating high school students and young workers about their health and safety and employment standards rights.

A very successful BBQ was organized by and for young PSAC members in July 2006 in Trout Lake Park in Vancouver.

YOUR Course

The YOUR course – Young, Unionizing, Organizing and Resisting – was groundbreaking in bringing together young activists. Held in the early fall of 2006, this course brought together 15 participants to discuss their rights as workers and as PSAC members, and to share and learn about global issues.

I would like to acknowledge, PSAC Staff Rep, Monica Urrutia’s fine work in support of young worker’s organizing and activism.

Defending Quality Public Services – a B.C. Priority

At the 2006 PSAC Convention, we received clear direction from the membership of our Union to make defending quality public services a priority from coast to coast to coast.

PSAC B.C. has done great work in this area.

Summer 2007: Public Services are Cool!

In the summer of 2007, B.C. mobilized around the “Public Services Are Cool” campaign.

The campaign highlighted federal public services, and the workers who provide them. We mobilized around the protection of the environment, health and safety, food safety, culture, public assets, and more.

Members in B.C. signed and promoted the “Public Services are Cool” petition; got involved in community activities, and faxed and lobbied their MPs on the importance of keeping our services public.

We handed out fans, leaflets and face transfers to members of the public on Canada Day, Labour Day, and many other events throughout B.C. The Political Action Committee had monthly conference calls during the summer to discuss lobbying and various activities - the lobby campaign continued into October.

Sale of Federal Buildings

PSAC B.C. was active in the fight against the sell-off of federal buildings. The sale of buildings to Larco Investments (based in B.C.) and the planned lease-back to the federal government was driven by the government’s failure to invest in maintaining its properties and mainly by the Conservative ideology that government shouldn’t be in the business of owning and maintaining infrastructure.

Initially, two buildings in Vancouver, Sinclair Centre and 401 Burrard, were on the sell-off list.

I participated in a press conference outside of Sinclair Centre, along Jim Sinclair, B.C. Federation of Labour President; and Janet Sinclair, a CAW activist and daughter of James Sinclair, after whom “Sinclair” was named; (perhaps there’s a theme here) on August 21, 2007. The press conference was supported by leafleting of members and the public by PSAC activists and staff over a period of several days. Press coverage was excellent and our message that the sell-off was a rip-off of the general public, in addition to being a bad decision, was picked up by numerous media outlets.

A court injunction granted to the Musqueam Nation prevented the two B.C. buildings from being included with the federal buildings that were eventually sold off. But the federal government is appealing the injunction and PSAC B.C. will continue to be vigilant and active as the fight continues. We have revised leaflets for both Sinclair Centre and 401 Burrard ready for distribution.

Non-Service Canada

Members in B.C. working for Service Canada were very active and effective in pointing out the irony in the name of the “new” Service Canada Agency.

Our Fish Campaign

Protecting the fisheries is an important issue for B.C. Members in B.C. are rallying around the Union of Environment Workers (UEW) “Our Fish Campaign”.

Regional Offices and Area Councils are making good use of the campaign kits, and Regional Council members are raising the campaign information at District Labour Council meetings.

Bill C-39: Against the Grain!

PSAC B.C. has also taken on the challenge of mobilizing against Harper’s recent assault on public service regulations, protections and safeguards – Bill C-39, An Act to Amend the Canada Grain Act. If enacted, this legislation would eliminate the inward inspection and weighing of grain, which would put farmers at the mercy of large corporations and result in substantial job losses for Grain Commission workers, members of PSAC.

Grain Commission members in B.C. are lobbying their MPs. The BC Regional Councils and Area Councils received the lobbying kit and materials produced by the Agriculture Union. Participation in the fight-back campaign continues.

Privatization of Federal Laboratories

PSAC members in B.C. took the lead in raising the red flag on the privatization of federal laboratories and the importance of fighting back on this specific threat to an important federal public service.

At the meeting of National Officers in January 2008, chaired by Nick Humphreys, a working group was formed of Components affected by the privatization of labs.

Input from members in B.C., lead by Nick, was instrumental in PSAC’s submission to the Expert Panel on Federal Laboratories in December 2007.

Passport Line-Ups: PSAC B.C. Stands up for Frontline Workers

2007 began with long line-ups at passport offices throughout the country, but particularly in B.C.

In my capacity as REVP, I worked with the National Component Local representing passport workers, and held a meeting with Passport Office and Service Canada members in Vancouver. I also did several media interviews, pointing out that the problem was a planning and management one. The frontline passport workers, members of PSAC, were not the problem but a key part of the solution.

Bargaining

In the last two years, PSAC staff negotiators have successfully negotiated contracts for Locals at the North Peace, Kamloops, and Rupert airport authorities; for the Vancouver Island Commissionaires Local; for National Local 20378 (CMHC Granville Island); and for the Directly Chartered Local at MDS Nordion (have you heard of isotopes recently?)

Notice to bargain will be given at the end of August for the UCTE YVR Local as that contract expires on December 31, 2008. Bargaining will begin for the Purolator Local this year, as their contract expires on December 31, 2008, with notice to bargain scheduled for August 31st.

As B.C. REVP, I participated in bargaining strategy conference calls regarding negotiations for the IMP units in Trenton, Gander, and Comox (UNDE 21018) to discuss actions and next steps. Workers at IMP service and repair Search and Rescue helicopters. Even though this Employer has not at all been bargaining in good faith, the members of UNDE 21018 in Comox have been hanging tough. The outstanding bargaining issues will be heard at an arbitration hearing scheduled for this spring.

Health And Safety

The BRUSH Committee, lead by Joy Hennen and James Little, with the assistance of Patrick Bragg, have launched an exciting new webpage for Health and Safety activists.

The BRUSH Committee is also expanding the network of Health and Safety activists in B.C. and now has up to thirty members participating in person and via conference call in their monthly meetings.

Education

PSAC’s Education Program is second to none in the labour movement, and the B.C. Education Committee has developed a program and schedule that meets the needs of members throughout B.C.

Over 700 members have taken PSAC Education courses in B.C. in the last three years.

B.C. Union Schools are held every fall. The 2006 B.C. Union School, November 17-19, focused on the theme “Equality is a Union Issue – Building Solidarity through Diversity”. A range of courses were offered, including Health and Safety Activism, Bargaining from Strength, Stress and Conflict in the Workplace, and Human Rights Are Workers’ Rights.

At the 2007 B.C. Union School, which was held in early November 2007, over 70 participants heard from PSAC National President John Gordon, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Director Seth Klein, and from special international guest Malalai Joya, Afghan Member of Parliament and women’s rights activist. Courses offered included Resisting Globalization, Duty to Accommodate, Health and Safety Phase 2, and a new course offered for Aboriginal members – Our Community, Our Union, Our Rights.

Leadership Phases I and II were held in 2006 and 2007 respectively. This progressive leadership training program, funded by the National Education Program, trained over 50 leaders in B.C., including Component National Officers, the B.C. NAIM Circle representatives, the Equal Opportunities Committee (EOC) representatives, and B.C. Regional Council Members.

At the Leadership Training Phase II, participants joined with labour and community activists to gather signatures for the B.C. Federation of Labour’s minimum wage petition campaign. Members of the B.C. Fed Young Workers Committee were very active in petition gathering at hockey games and football games.

Joint Learning Program (JLP): A Success in B.C.

Members of the B.C. Region have made the PSAC-Canada Public Service Agency (CPSA) JLP a success. Forty-four courses were delivered by trained JLP facilitators in B.C. in 2007, and another 14 since the beginning of this year, covering many Components and Departments.

The JLP field coordinators and the employer rep and I have agreed that, during Public Service Week, JLP courses will be open to all workers (covered by the JLP) and not restricted to one department or workplace.

Labour Movement

I am proud to say that Jamey Mills and Craig Langston were elected by their respective B.C. Fed Committees - Young Workers and Human Rights, to represent their constituencies on the B.C. Federation of Labour Executive Council.

I am also proud to note that several members of the B.C. Regional Council play leadership roles on District Labour Councils in their communities. For example, Jayne Johns, joined with others to start up the Fraser Valley Labour Council. Involvement in District Labour Councils is important as it strengthens the labour movement in communities and brings more labour support to PSAC issues and job actions.

Communications

The PSAC B.C. THINK public! newsletter is a new initiative that will improve communications within the membership.

The hiring of a half-time Communications position will help get our messages out to the media, the public, and to members.

The PSAC B.C. website, a tool we can be proud of, will be modified to accommodate the newsletter.

Membership feedback and input on the website and other communications tools is invaluable. I thank all activists and members who have contributed in the past three years and thank you all in advance for keeping it up!

I would like to thank the members of the B.C. Regional Council for their tremendous work on behalf of the members and for the kind support they have extended me.

I would like to thank the Alternate REVP, Sam Wiese, for her on-going support and enthusiastic work on behalf of the Union.

I congratulate and offer best wishes to those Regional Council members and union activists who are retiring. I welcome younger activists to the Union – your involvement is very important to the on-going success of our Union.

The involvement of all union members is important as we bring different skills, experiences, and perspectives to the work of the Union. In this diversity there is strength and solidarity.

Respectfully submitted,

Kay Sinclair, REVP B.C.
April 2008