Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

updated Nov 6th

The minority government of the day presents … It creeps, it slashes with a smile, and it devours public services …

The fight continues at the bargaining table to win protections against contracting out and privatization, starring members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, featuring members working at Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Parks Canada Agency, and Treasury Board.

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Can an employer policy that does not form part of my collective agreement be grieved and eventually be heard in front of the Public Service Labour Relations Board (PSLRB)? Recently, the PSLRB issued a decision on that matter. It involved the Canada Border Services Agency specifically their Accommodation Policy.

The PSAC filed a “policy grievance” alleging that the CBSA Accommodation Policy as it was being applied to employees who failed the current “arms training” was a violation of Article 19 (No Discrimination) of the PA collective agreement. The Employer raised a preliminary objection on two grounds which the PSLRB did not accept.

This is an important decision because it sets out the parameters of, what can be a policy grievance and also confirms that an adjudicator can decide whether an employer policy is contrary to the collective agreement even if the policy is not incorporated into the collective agreement.

Read the complete decision here (pdf): 569-02-39-arming-control-cbsa

1. When will we go on strike? The union can legally serve the 72 hour strike notice midnight November 4. So the earliest possible strike date is November 7. You will be advised by your strike picket captain.

2. Can the parties still negotiate between now and then? The parties can negotiate any time between now and then. The parties can also negotiate once the notice has been given and a strike begins. The union’s bargaining team has been clear that they are available any time to negotiate a fair deal. .

3. What about my benefits? PSAC will pay your benefit premiums during a strike or lockout to ensure there is no interruption in coverage.

4. How much is strike pay? Strike pay is governed by Regulation 6 and is $50.00 per day after 3 days on strike in a rotating or general strike situation. It is retroactive to the first day. Strike pay is non-taxable. If strategic strike action is taken then 65% of your salary will be paid.

5. What kind of strike action will we take? That’s a strategic issue that will be decided by the National Strike Co-ordinating Committee. The decision will be based on what will be most effective in achieving a collective agreement. The committee will consider the potential impact on the employer and the membership.

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Ottawa—The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) is encouraged to hear that Finance Minister Flaherty recognizes that it would be “misguided” to avoid a deficit at any cost and encourages the federal government to focus its energy on providing assistance to the people hit hard by the current economic crisis.

PSAC represents 160,000 workers across Canada, including more than 130,000 federal public sector workers. In uncertain economic times, Canadians look to PSAC members, who are on the front lines, helping people access Employment Insurance, making sure that seniors receive their pension cheques and that laid off workers have access to retraining and adjustment assistance. They answer phone calls from people every day, who are concerned about whether their bank accounts and retirement income are secure and want to know what the federal government will do to alleviate the crisis that started in the banking and financial sector and quickly spread to the traditional economy.

“Now is the time to invest in public services and public infrastructure,” says John Gordon, PSAC National President. “Minister Flaherty’s assertion yesterday that the expenditure review process within government would be expanded to include Crown corporations and public sector compensation is alarming, especially at a time when the focus should be on how to help people and companies who are suffering from the economic fallout.”

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Ottawa—Canada Post management is bringing a group of its employees to the brink of a strike by trying to impose a new Short-term Disability System that was clearly rejected by almost 9 out of 10 of those employees. The workers are represented by the Union of Postal Communications Employees (UPCE), a component of the 160,000 member Public Service Alliance of Canada

“Canada Post recently signed collective agreements with other larger groups of employees and never imposed this ludicrous Short-term Disability System on them,” said John Gordon, PSAC National President. “Why is Canada Post trying to impose it on a smaller group of PSAC members? “He added.

UPCE-PSAC members recently voted 88% in favour of strike action against Canada Post. It was the strongest strike mandate in their union’s history. The national strike vote took place at membership meetings between October 1 and October 17, 2008.

Canada Post also tabled a meagre wage increase offer of 2.25% per year for each year of a four-year contract. The union maintains that 3% per year for a three-year contract is in line with other settlements that Canada Post has recently negotiated with other unions.

Gordon indicated that the negotiations have broken off, but that the union is ready to return to the bargaining table at any time if Canada Post decides to truly engage in meaningful bargaining.

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At the regular monthly meeting of the Vancouver and District Labour Council held on Tuesday, October 21, delegates endorsed their preferred candidates for municipal offices in the City of Vancouver, City and District of North Vancouver, and the City of Richmond.

• Download the VCLC list of endorsed candidates here (pdf)

In addition delegates endorsed one candidate for Metro Vancouver Director in Electoral District A (UBC) who sits on the GVRD.

“We have endorsed a very strong list of progressive candidates for mayors, city councils, school trustees and Parks Board (pdf link),” said Bill Saunders, President of the Council.

Topping the list was a solid endorsement for the COPE – Vision – Green slate in the City of Vancouver, headed by Gregor Robertson who is running for mayor.

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Burnaby – The New Westminster & District Labour Council (NWDLC) today released their list of endorsed candidates (pdf) for the Municipal and School Board elections being held on November 15, 2008 across British Columbia.

“The Labour Council has recommended the endorsement of 62 candidates in this years’ Local Government Elections running for positions of Mayor, Councillor and Board of Education Trustee within our region,” said Carolyn Chalifoux, Secretary-Treasurer of the New Westminster & District Labour Council.

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OTTAWA – Canada Post workers gave their bargaining team the strongest strike mandate in their union’s history. The workers are members of the Union of Postal and Communications Employees (UPCE), a component of the 165,000 member Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).

“The membership have stated loud and clear that Canada Post’s “take it or leave it” offer is completely unacceptable,” said Richard Des Lauriers, National President of the Union of Postal and Communications Employees (UPCE), a component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada. “The PSAC bargaining team has invited the employer back to the bargaining table. With this mandate in hand they can provide a strong message to Canada Post to take the concessions off the table and negotiate in good faith.”

PSAC members voted 88% in favour of strike action. The national strike vote took place at membership meetings between October 1 and October 17, 2008.

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Every two years, more than 1,000 rank and file trade union members elected from their locals across BC gather in Vancouver to set the direction of the wider labour movement. This makes the BC Federation of Labour one of the most grassroots, open and democratic civic institutions in the province. The B.C. Federation of Labour Convention is from November 24-28, 2008.

This year the BC Fed is hoping to have at least 100 young people from a variety of unions, under the age of 30, at Convention. On November 23rd there will be a full day young worker forum that will be open to young workers that are attending the convention as delegates, alternates and observers. The forum will cover the Convention process and issues effecting young workers in BC.

PSAC Locals affiliated to the B.C. Federation of Labour can send delegates to the Fed Convention, based on their membership. If you are interested in attending the Young Workers’ Forum and Fed Convention, please contact your Local or Branch Executive to request a delegate seat and funding. The PSAC BC Regional Council has committed to fully funding three youth delegates, including the B.C. Council Youth Coordinator and Alternate Coordinator. There are also subsidies available to youth delegates based on geographic location. More information can be found here.

If you are planning or wanting to attend the BC Fed Convention and need financial assistance, please send your request to Kay Sinclair, B.C. REVP, or by fax at (604) 430-0194 by midnight, Thursday, October 30th with a paragraph of up to 300 words outlining your union experience, community involvement, etc. and how you will use this experience to help the PSAC and the broader labour movement, and whether you have any other Local/Branch, Area Council, RWC, etc. funding to attend. Please also indicate if you are a member of an equity group, e.g. woman; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender; aboriginal; racially visible, member with a disability.

Young workers play a significant role in both the present and the future of our unions, ensuring that they are represented at BC Fed Convention will enhance their connection with the larger movement.

Rumours, gossip and myths abound during collective bargaining, especially when the outcomes are uncertain and the stakes are so high. Sometimes employers tend to play fast and loose with the facts. Here are just some of those rumours and myths we’ve been hearing over the past few weeks. And here are the real facts.

1 The union refuses to bargain or respond to the employer’s last offer.

The union has always been prepared to negotiate. In fact, the union added bargaining dates in September. We put a comprehensive offer of settlement on the table that included compromises and realistic wage proposals. Instead of responding to our proposals, the employer tabled an “all or nothing” offer that contained major rollbacks. The union rejected that offer and told the employer why.

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Attention to all members of the DD, EG, GT, PI, PY and TI pay groups.

• Your Bargaining Team encourages PSAC members to register for the automatic email update on the PSAC National Website.
• Sign up for regional bargaining alerts here.

Your TC Bargaining Team was in Ottawa from October 7th to the 10th for a session of mediation.

Our objectives were to make improvements on our outstanding TC specific and lead table issues with the assistance of the mediator. Unfortunately this did not happen.  The Employer appears to define a successful mediation session as one where proposals are withdrawn or articles are renewed unchanged. Since these sessions were held in the middle of a Federal election, it appears that the Employer is unable to make any commitments until a new government is formed.

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Our PA negotiating team kicked off the resumption of bargaining talks with a two-hour presentation on classification and pay equity that left the employer’s team speechless.

In our presentation, team members underlined the fact that the employer has failed to follow up on any promises to implement a new, gender-neutral classification standard for their employees. Every worker at Treasury Board — not just the PAs — suffers as a result. The team, once again, highlighted the crisis that this broken classification system has created among compensation advisors and reiterated our demands for various allowances and wage parity with other federal-sector employers. Finally, the team reminded the employer that allowances are just temporary band-aid solutions and that a new classification system is what we need — and needed yesterday! The employer’s team members were clearly paying attention, and we can only hope that the message gets back to the promise-breakers.

Unfortunately, the rest of the three-day session that began on Oct. 6 was like walking through quicksand for our team. We continued to hammer our important issues but the session was side-tracked for two days because the employer had failed to provide the union with appropriate information concerning hours of work for certain members of the WP group. Our team held the line through very difficult discussions and ensured that the employer will not be able to turn WPs who are day workers into shift workers. In this, the team was backed with the full support of the USGE Component and the PSAC Board of Directors.

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Fraser Valley Area Council Annual General Meeting, Wednesday October 8, 2008 Cross Roads Restaurant Abbotsford

In Attendance:

• Jayne Johns CEIU 20903 President
• Melvin Doreen – RVP USGE Vice President
• Ann Marie McCully CEIU 20903 Treasurer
• Elaine Michaud CEIU 20903
• Linda Nance CEIU 20903
• Cheryl Hicks USGE 20040
• Nancy Burton USGE 20155
• Dori Lottger USGE 20155
• Heidi Rempel AGR 20038
• Brenda Williams USGE 20015
• Scott Verwold USGE 20054

Guests:

• Janelle Ho-Shing – PSAC Rep
• Bonnie Rai – NDP Candidate Abbotsford

Continue reading below or download the Fraser Valley Area Council AGM minutes (pdf)

Presentation: Bonnie Rai gave a brief speech about stopping the trend of privatization and contracting out. She also talked about the erosion of workers rights and our need to have adequate funding for social programs. She stands opposed to cuts to federal public services and encouraged members to get involved in the electoral process.

A quorum has been reached.

Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m.

1. Previous Minutes

The dates for the Talking Union Basics course to be held in the Fraser Valley have been changed to November 22 and 23. The new deadline for applications is November 10th.
M/S/C McCully/Verwold

2. Financial Report

Fiscal year from January 1 to December 31 2007 presented. Fiscal year is not in sync with AGM. As of September 30, 2008 FVAC dues have not all been paid. $600.00 was received from Regional Council, affiliating to the FVLC October 2006 to December 2008 dues paid $930.00.
M/S/C McCall/Johns

3. Election of Executive

The following were elected by acclamation:

• President – Jayne Johns
• Vice President – Melvin Doreen
• Treasurer – Ann Marie McCully
• Secretary – Brenda Williams

4. Election of Delegate to PSAC Convention

The following were elected by acclamation:

• Delegate: Jayne Johns
• Alternate: Ann Marie McCully

5. Resolutions to PSAC Convention

No resolutions were presented at this time. Discussion on getting resolution on hardship fund through another AC.

6. Bargaining Update

Melvin Doreen gave an update on the SV table. The teams were able to meet but there were no principles in place due the Federal election so there was not a lot of movement. Some work was undertaken regarding shift workers e.g. food services lost their shift differentials as a result of language change. Discussion also included discussion on exclusions for firefighters and ships crews. There was also an all teams meetings and debriefing the various kinds of job actions held. USGE still is working on ESAs.

7. District Labour Council

FVDLC has an education program and is offering Stewart Training and Talk Back – how to debate union principles-on Saturday November 1, 2008. Registration is $50 and will be paid by the FVAC. All are encouraged to attend. November 19 is annual spaghetti dinner and dessert auction.
Labour Council Representatives are as follows:

• Delegates – Jayne Johns, Ann Marie McCully, Melvin Doreen and Linda Nance.
• Alternate – Brenda Williams, Heidi Rempel, Scott Verwold, and Edi Martin (to be confirmed).

8. Other Business

• Need to establish a Committee work on updating By-Laws. Executive elected to work on it.
• Federal Election – reminder to vote and volunteer for labour friendly candidates.
• Rand Campaign – reminder to return membership cards to Janelle in Vancouver RO.

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Friday, October 24th.  Dinner served at 5 pm, panel from 6-8 pm.
Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre, 302 Columbia, 1 block west of Main, corner Cordova.
All (including men) welcome!

SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
* Nicholas Blomley: Nicholas is a professor in the Department of Geography at SFU specializing in the politics of property and public space in the DTES.  His books include Unsettling the City: Urban Land and the Politics of Property and How Law Matters To Political Geography.
* Ayisha Faruk: Ayisha is a DTES activist, born on the continent of Black People from the Lion Tribe. She is a performing and visual artist, traditional African herbalist, human rights activist born with revolutionary blood in her veins.
* Carol Martin: Carol (Nisga’a Nation) is a member of the DTES Elders Council, is a victim services worker in the DTES, and founder of the Sweetgrass All Nations Healing Centre.  She is a strong voice for those who -like her – are survivors of abuse, addictions, and a legacy of colonization.
* Jean Swanson: Jean has been an anti-poverty advocate for over 30 years and is currently working with the Carnegie Community Action Project.  She has worked with End Legislated Poverty and has authored the book Poor Bashing: The Politics of Exclusion. She has been a single low-income parent with two children.
* Member of the DEWC Power of Women Group.

Join us at the DTES Women Centre for a panel with some exceptional speakers. We hope to contribute to the movement to eliminate homelessness with a framework of housing justice that analyzes the roots causes of poverty and forms of structural violence that impact poor communities, as well as the global political and economic systems that create and perpetuate poverty and lack of dignified housing.

This event is part of the two-month long series on Housing and Gentrification which includes the “We Declare: Spaces of Housing” artist exhibition featuring the DEWC Power of Women Group and talks hosted by Vancouver Flying University.

For more information contact DEWC Power of Women Project or call 604 681 8480 x 234.

The SV Bargaining Team returned to Ottawa for another session with the employer. We conveyed to the employer that the team had had a busy summer meeting with members across the country and consistently heard expressions of utter disgust with the employer’s wage offer. We told the employer that the members reiterated the need to get rid of the zones and are asking: “Where is the rest of the market adjustment to bring the SV Group to wage parity?”

We said that members also raised concerns about contracting out and how this affects our job security, especially in light of the government’s privatization and deregulation of public services like Aviation Inspection, Food Inspection and Grain Inspection. Ironically, this is the same government that says that it is maintaining quality public services.

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We are excited to announce the first edition of the new Public Service Alliance of Canada BC newsletter THINK public was mailed to members last week! The regional newsletter will come out about every three months and  serves the approximately 14,000 PSAC members located in 142 locals and branches in BC.

THINK public will include member profiles, features on membership and staff-supported activities, and articles on a variety of issues including defending public services – over the next few weeks we’ll be highlighting a few of the articles in the Fall 2008 edition – here’s the lead article, written specially for us by Bill Tieleman, a columnist with 24 hours Vancouver newspaper and a commentator on CKNW AM 980. We hope you enjoy it!

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Dear PSAC member:

Food safety has been on the minds of a lot of people these days. And with all of the food recalls, you may have been thinking about it too.

It’s a sad day when parents worry that the school lunches they are packing for their children might make them sick. Or that a parent in a nursing home might be served food that could prove fatal.

This shouldn’t be happening in Canada. That’s why we’ve set up a special website – www.foodsafetyfirst.ca. I urge you to check it out and to use it to send a message to the candidates running for election in your riding about food safety.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency food inspectors – PSAC members – are doing the best job they can but there just aren’t enough of them. And, now the Harper government wants them to concentrate on paper work, rather than spending the time they need to on the plant floor to make sure our food is safe.

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FB Bargaining Team Discusses Operational Issues with CBSA Management at Bargaining Table.

This past Tuesday through Friday (September 30th through October 3rd) our bargaining team met with Treasury Board/CBSA in an effort to bring the parties closer to a first contract. The parties spent the week discussing hours of work – including VSSA’s, ‘day is a day’, seniority protections and issues related to ensuring safe working conditions for enforcement workers (‘Doubling Up’). Our team reiterated at the table that we will not agree to remove the language in our contract that ensures that VSSA’s are negotiated between Union and employer. We also reiterated that, like hundreds of thousands of other unionized workers across Canada, CBSA workers deserve to have a say in the hours that they work, including the line they are assigned and the shifts that they work.

While progress was not made with respect to specific contract language, there was for the first time a willingness on the part of management’s team to discuss and gain an understanding of our issues and what we need addressed in our contract regarding hours of work and the doubling up initiative. We return to the table in three weeks time.

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James & Nicole, our newly elected Youth Coordinator & Alternate, attended a rousing BCFed Youth convention this spring at Camp Jubilee.

They emerged keen to strengthen the ranks of our youth members. The Youth BBQ, held Friday, August 22nd, was their first event to promote this. This fall they are hosting a contest to encourage all youth throughout the province to identify themselves. All those aged under 30 in BC who identify as youth online or via mail before December 12, 2008, will be entered to win one of three $150 gift certificates to Mountain Equipment Co-op.

You can register to self identify online or call the PSAC office for a form at: (604) 430-5631 or toll free at 1-800-663-1655.