Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Here are the Finance, By-Laws, and General Resolutions Committee reports to Convention … they are all .pdf documents.

• By-Laws Committee report (updated Apr 14 to correct a typo)
  
• Finance Committee report
• General Resolutions Committee report

And here is the Convention agenda

• Regional Convention delegates agenda

My name is Kiran Arora and I am a Ph.D. student at Syracuse University, in the Marriage and Family Therapy department. I am conducting a research study which seeks to understand the impact of political violence in Punjab India, on Sikh diaspora in Vancouver.

Specifically, I would like to understand your views on what it means to be living in Vancouver, Canada as part of the Sikh diaspora. Further, I would like to understand how the political violence in Punjab, India has impacted you, your relationships and your position in the world, as a member of the Sikh diaspora in Vancouver.

This study will be pioneering in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy because this topic area has not been studied before. Bringing forth the unique experiences of the Sikh diaspora will be informative for those working in the mental health field. It will also allow the unique stories and voices of Sikh diaspora to take space in academia, where these voices can be acknowledged, and understood.

I am looking for potential volunteers for my study and hope that you will consider participating. If you wish to participate you must meet the following criteria:

1. You must be born outside of India, to parents who were born in India.
2. You must have experienced (first hand or second hand) some of the events affecting the Sikh community in the 1980’s and 1990’s.
3. You must reside in Vancouver.
4. You must self identify as a Sikh.

Participation in this study would be completely voluntary and you may withdraw at any time if you choose to participate. Your confidentiality is of utmost concern, and measures have been put into place to ensure that your confidentiality is protected.

I would be happy to discuss this with you in detail on the phone. The format of this study will be interviews, where I would be interviewing you for 90 to 120 minutes.

If you are interested in this study, please phone/email me. I will give you further information at that time, and also answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Kiran S.K. Arora
kiransarora@gmail.com
315.383.5400 - Syracuse, N.Y.
604.719.1871 - Vancouver, B.C.

• Wednesday April 9, 2008, 5:30 PM
• 210-1497 Admiral’s Road

Agenda

• Resolutions for Convention
• Election of Vice-President
• JLP - Guest Speakers, Julie Balantes & Susan Jardine

Please RSVP to Rosemary at the Regional Office, as food will be served

Here are the resolutions that have been submitted by Locals, Area Councils & Committees to the 4th BC Regional Triennial Convention. The Finance, Bylaws, and General Resolutions Convention Committees have been working hard on their reports and we plan to have them available to members and delegates by the end of this week.

Download the …

• Resolutions referred to the By-laws Resolutions Committee
• Resolutions referred to the Finance Resolutions Committee
• Resolutions referred to the General Resolutions Committee

Please note they are all .pdf documents.

Also please note the Regional Office will make a list of Convention delegates available to any delegates that require them.

The Vancouver Area Council is preparing for the upcoming PSAC BC Regional Convention and plans to discuss resolutions and other issues.

• Vancouver & District Area Council Meeting
• Tuesday April 8, 5PM
• 200-5238 Joyce St. (1 1/2 block south of the SkyTrain)

The Area Council has authored a number of resolutions, but any resolutions submitted to the Convention can be taken up.
All delegates and observers to PSAC BC Regional Convention as well as interested members in the Lower Mainland are welcome to attend! Please RSVP to the Vancouver RO at 604.430.5631 as a light dinner will be served.

The Independent (London, U.K.), March 30, 2008

Mobile phones could kill far more people than smoking or asbestos, a study by an award-winning cancer expert has concluded. He says people should avoid using them wherever possible and that governments and the mobile phone industry must take “immediate steps” to reduce exposure to their radiation.

• Discuss in the H&S forums!
• See more Health & Safety related information.

The study, by Dr Vini Khurana, is the most devastating indictment yet published of the health risks.

It draws on growing evidence — exclusively reported in the IoS in October — that using handsets for 10 years or more can double the risk of brain cancer. Cancers take at least a decade to develop, invalidating official safety assurances based on earlier studies which included few, if any, people who had used the phones for that long.

Earlier this year, the French government warned against the use of mobile phones, especially by children. Germany also advises its people to minimise handset use, and the European Environment Agency has called for exposures to be reduced.

(more…)

PSAC Okanagan Regional Women’s Committee, Minutes of Meeting February 9, 2008, ABC Restaurant, Harvey Avenue, Kelowna

In Attendance:

• Susan Yaciw UTE 20003
• Roberta Gourlie CEIU 20915
• Kelly Megyesi CEIU 20915
• Linda Woods NAT 20140
• Darrell-Lee McKenzie AGR 20043
• Jennifer Leenhouts CEIU 20972
• Kareen Stanich AGR 20043

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

Continue reading below or download the Okanagan RWC meeting minutes - Feb 9 2008 (pdf)

Minutes: Minutes from September 21, 2007 were accepted. m/s/c

Treasurer’s Report: The balance is $1276.31. The audited financial statement for 2007 was circulated to members present. m/s/c

2008 Budget:Proposed budget was discussed and accepted as presented. m/s/c

BC Regional Women’s Conference September 28-30, 2007: K. Megyesi reported that the conference was very interesting, had excellent speakers, and a theme of the environment. The Okanagan was well represented.

National Women’s Conference November 23-25, 2007: J. Leenhouts and K. Megyesi reported that this was also a good conference with the most resolution passed in history. Top issues for resolutions regarded childcare. There was much discussion about the inability to send observers to the conference.

BRUSH Committee: K. Megyesi reported on the BRUSH Committee which meets regularly. For more information on health and safety initiatives through the BC Regional office visit: http://www.psacbc.com/categories/health-safety/

Designation of Voting Members at Women’s Committee: As per the Regional Women’s Committee Handbook, there is one vote per affiliated Component. The following members have voting rights:

• AGR D-L McKenzie (alternate M-L. Romano)
• CEIU K. Megyesi (alternate J. Leenhouts)
• UTE S. Yaciw
• NAT L. Woods

Election of Officers:

• Co-Chair: J. Leenhouts was nominated by S. Yaciw, seconded by L. Woods, carried.
• Co-Chair: K. Megyesi was nominated by S. Yaciw, seconded by L. Woods, carried.
• Treasurer: K. Megyesi was nominated by S. Yaciw, seconded by L. Woods, carried.
• Secretary: R. Gourlie was nominated by D-L McKenzie, seconded by S. Yaciw, carried.

Next Meeting: TBA (possibly April 12th in Kelowna)

Adjourned at 12:30 p.m. m/s/c

Regional Women’s Committee, Prince George, BC - AGM Minutes

Location: Ramada Inn, March 8, 2008

Present: Patt Holmes (CEIU 20921), Anne Evasin, Parveen Deepak and Sandy Stephens (UTE 20002), Dorothy Hollier (UCTE 20212), Val Bergey (USGE 20070), and Colette Savarie (PSAC rep and women’s portfolio)

Meeting chaired by: Patt Holmes

Continue reading below, or download the Prince George Regional Women’s Committee meeting minutes - March 8 2008 (pdf)

Opening comments: Group was advised that Diane Beaulieu would not be running for re-election as chair.

1. Previous meeting minutes reviewed/adopted - M- Parveen, S- Dorothy. Carried

2. Elections of executive: Colette conducted the elections for women’s

Chair:

• Patt nominated by Val, Seconded by Parveen
• Sandy nominated by Anne, Seconded by Patt
• Sandy declined
• Patt acclaimed

Co-chair:

• Sandy nominated by Patt, Seconded by Dorothy
• Anne nominated by Parveen, Seconded by Val
• Sandy declined
• Anne acclaimed

Secretary:

• Parveen nominated by Patt, Seconded by Sandy
• Val nominated by Parveen, Seconded by Sandy
• Val declined
• Parveen acclaimed

Treasurer:

• Sandy nominated by Anne, Seconded by Patt
• Sandy acclaimed

3. Executive sworn in by Colette, no ballots to destroy

4. PSAC rep update: Equality once and for all: to become a year long campaign. Harper’s lack of progress on women’s equality discussed. Colette has colour versions of electronically forwarded handouts she hopes to forward

5. Financial report: Room for today’s meeting cost $75.00 (pre-paid by Diane B.) RWC delinquent re: budget, B&R passed to Sandy today. Signing authorities need to be changed

Next Meeting Set for: Saturday, May 24, 2008 after BC regional convention

Meeting Adourned at: 1:00 pm

Parks Canada contacted PSAC asking for a return to the bargaining table, stating that they are focused on negotiating the substantive issues of the bargaining unit. These issues include, but are not limited to, work of the bargaining unit presently being performed by persons outside the unit, seasonal and term employment, Parks Canada’s announcement that they intend to privatize and downsize, a wage package including No Zones, and a renegotiated WorkForce Adjustment Agreement.

After 23 days of negotiations it had become apparent to your Bargaining Team that the Agency would not address the important issues. Your Team broke off negotiations informing the Employer that the Team would begin the process of applying for Conciliation. Immediately the Agency claimed that your Bargaining Team walked away from the table before it had a chance to address the bargaining unit’s critical issues.

In an effort to secure the bargaining unit a fair and just collective agreement, your Team has agreed to return to the bargaining table to again offer the Employer the opportunity to negotiate the issues that are important to the bargaining unit. Your Team is cautiously hopeful that Parks Canada Agency intends to negotiate in good faith and to address the bargaining unit’s major concerns. The return to the bargaining table will not change your Bargaining Team’s decision to apply for Conciliation or any other actions that are necessary to move the Employer to deal with the critical issues.

Your Bargaining Team is determined to achieve a new collective agreement with the Agency. To find out how you can show your support for your Bargaining Team, contact your Local Union Executive, or any of the Regional Offices.

You are invited to a rally to help save the public school lands of British Columbia on Monday, April 7, at 11:30 a.m. These lands were given in public trust for all generations of children and they are not ours to sell. Universal public education is a cornerstone of our democracy and our economic security. Once these school lands are disposed of we will never get them back. Join us - if you can’t make it to Victoria on the 7th, please contact us for more information on how you can support this cause in your part of the province.
LANDS! (Let’s Agree Not to Dispose of Schools!) bc.lands@gmail.com
LANDS! Statement.   Backgrounder

PSAC Okanagan Area Council, Minutes of Meeting February 9, 2008 - ABC Restaurant, Harvey Avenue, Kelowna

In Attendance:

• Susan Yaciw UTE 20003
• Roberta Gourlie CEIU 20915
• Kelly Megyesi CEIU 20915
• Linda Woods NAT 20140
• Darrell-Lee McKenzie AGR 20043
• Jennifer Leenhouts CEIU 20972
• Kareen Stanich AGR 20043

The meeting was called to order at 10:15a.m. with Susan Yaciw in the chair.

Continue reading below, or download Okanagan Area Council meeting minutes - Feb 8 2008 (pdf).

Minutes: Minutes from September 21, 2007 were accepted. m/s/c

Old Business:

• Audited Financial Report: Action: D-L. McKenzie to have books audited and send copy to REVP.
• Affiliating to District Labour Council: D-L. McKenzie reported that AGR 20043 has been affiliated with the SOBLC and that any PSAC member can attend meetings. S. Yaciw reported that there is an increased subsidy available to affiliate to District Labour Councils (maximum $600).
• Action: D-L McKenzie to request subsidy for 2008.
• Action: R. Gourlie to look into affiliating to Labour Council in Vernon.
• Action: J. Leenhouts to look into affiliating to Labour Council in Kelowna.

PSAC Education Forum: S. Yaciw distributed the summary to members.

BC Regional Convention April 18-20, 2008: Delegate selection through Components is presently occurring. RVP’s participated in a conference call with K. Sinclair to discuss delegate selection. There have been some issues for small Locals (<100 members) particularly when there are not other Locals to be grouped with to get delegate status. Deadline for submitting resolutions is February 15th. S. Yaciw reported that she did raise the issue of delegates being made aware of the requirements to be elected / hold office at Regional Council.

New Business:

• Treasurer’s Report: The 2007 financial statement and the current Treasurer’s report were presented (see attached). m/s/c
• Affiliated Locals are reminded that 2008 dues are now payable ($1 per member located in the Okanagan) and should be sent to: Darrell-Lee McKenzie, 15-799 Creekside, Penticton, BC,V2A 1C5.
• S. Yaciw reported that UTE 20026 has decided to not affiliate with Area Council in 2008. Minutes and notices still to be sent to the Local.
• Action: S. Yaciw to respond to letter.

BC Regional Council: S. Yaciw’s report to council was circulated by email. There was much discussion about regional convention at the last council meeting (re/ committees, funding). There will not be salary loss compensation for the Friday.

Designation of Voting Members at Area Council:

As per the bylaws, there is one vote per affiliated Local. The following members have voting rights:

• AGR 20043 D-L McKenzie (alternate K. Stanich)
• AGR 20027 M-L Romano
• CEIU 20915 K. Megyesi (alternate R. Gourlie)
• UTE 20003 S. Yaciw
• CEIU 20972 J. Leenhouts
• NAT 20140 L. Woods

BC Regional Convention, April 18-20 Delegate Election:

• Delegate: J. Leenhouts nominated by S. Yaciw, seconded by D-L. McKenzie, carried.
• Alternate Delegate: L. Woods nominated by S. Yaciw, seconded by D-l. McKenzie, carried.

Bargaining: Deferred until next meeting.

Education: A combined TUB / Grievance Handling course is scheduled for Feb 16th in Kelowna. At the request of AGR Local 20043, TUB will be delivered April 4th and Grievance Handling on April 5th in Penticton. Action: S. Yaciw to contact A. Rana about need for TUB; Grievance Handling; and Local Officers Training in Kelowna or Vernon. Action: S. Yaciw to follow up with R. Brennan and A. Rana regarding the issue of alternate delivery of education (ie/ lunchtime video conference, etc).

Election of Officers:

• President: S. Yaciw was nominated by D-L McKenzie, seconded by J. Leenhouts, carried.
• Vice President: J. Leenhouts was nominated by D-L. McKenzie, seconded by S. Yaciw, carried.
• Secretary: Roberta Gourlie was nominated by S. Yaciw, seconded by D-L McKenzie, carried.
• Treasurer: D-L McKenzie was nominated by J. Leenhouts, seconded by S. Yaciw, carried.

Affiliation with BC Federation of Labour: Locals are reminded to affiliate with the BC Federation of Labour at: http://www.bcfed.ca/

“The B.C. Federation of Labour brings together the majority of unions in BC to provide a single voice on workers’ rights. As well, the Federation provides support to affiliated unions during labour disputes and co-ordinates cross-union campaigns from health and safety to political action and women’s rights.”

Bill C39: Agriculture Union presently has a campaign under way to stop bill C39 which would make changes to the Grain Act, impacting farmers, and members at the Canadian Grain Commission. For more information see:
http://www.agrunion.com/en/currentmonthsnews.html#Lobbying

Next Meeting: TBA (possibly April 12th in Kelowna)

Adjourned at 11:35 a.m. m/s/c

New Occupational Health and Safety Directive – April 1, 2008

The Executive Committee of the National Joint Council (NJC) is pleased to announce that it recently accepted the report of the Occupational Health and Safety Committee (OHSC) in regard to the Cyclical Review of the Directive.

This NJC Occupational Health and Safety Directive (OHSD) was developed in partnership by representatives from Federal Public Service Bargaining Agents members of the NJC, the Employer and departments. Its provisions form part of the collective agreements of the participating parties under the By-Laws of the National Joint Council.

The new NJC Occupational Health and Safety Directive is effective April 1, 2008.

Highlights of Changes

On May 16, 2007, the Executive Committee tasked the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Committee with the cyclical review of Group A of the Occupational Health and Safety Directive.

Group A includes:

• Part I of the amalgamated directive (Application, Definitions, etc.)
• Part II – Use and Occupancy of Buildings (Permanent Structures)
• Refusal to Work
• Committees and Representatives
• Part XV –Hazardous Occurrence Investigation, Recording and Reporting
• Part XVI – First Aid

The next group cyclical review of the directives of Groups B, C and D should be initiated in the fall of 2008.

Some changes are editorial in nature to facilitate the use and understanding of the Directive: updated reference information, additional definitions, new sequence to enhance clarity and logic, renumbering of subsections to accommodate additions and/or deletions.

Read more at the National Joint Council website. The full text of the directive is also available.

“Challenging the Myths of Migration, Building workers’ solidarity in Canada”

A critical look at the expansion of Canada’s Temporary Foreign Workers’ Program (TFWP)

• Community Forum
• Sunday, April 6, 2008, 2:00 pm
• Kalayaan Centre, 451 Powell Street, Vancouver (between Jackson & Dunlevy Streets)

Speakers include: SIKLAB-B.C. (Advance the Rights and Welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers and their Families), Justicia for Migrant Worker, Other speakers to be announced. For more information: email: ilps_canada@shawcable.com