Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

The Union Development Program (UDP) – PSAC BC Region

• Level One: December 1st  December 5th, 2009. Metrotown Hilton, Burnaby
• Level Two: January 31st  February 5th, 2010. CLC Winter School, Harrison Hot Springs
• Level Three: April 26th  May 1st, 2010. Metrotown Hilton, Burnaby

• Deadline for applications has been extended to  October 9th, 2009. Late applications will not be accepted.
• Prerequisite: All UDP applicants must have taken the PSAC Talking Union Basics (TUB) course or equivalent.
• Apply online here or download and mail in an application form (pdf)
• Download the UDP brochure (pdf)

The Union Development Program (UDP) is a sixteen-day intensive education program designed to develop the leadership skills of emerging union activists. The UDP includes three levels of learning events [UDP 1, UDP 2 and UDP 3] with specific leadership assignments in between. The complete program takes place over a 5 month period.

UDP 1:  At the Workplace  focuses on building the union at the Local level. At UDP 1, we explore union principles and we look at how privilege and oppression impacts us, our family, our community, our workplaces and the union. We analyze dynamic models of engaging and organizing members, develop effective communication strategies, practice public speaking, develop strategic planning skills and plan inclusive and strategic workplace actions.

UDP 2: Labours Role in Society deals with labour’s role in the social and economic fabric of our society. At UDP 2, we discuss the roots of racism and its impact. We look at our union’s history and the history of the Canadian labour movement. We explore ways of navigating and participating in the PSAC, discuss the impact of the economy on labour and society, and we look at how labour operates nationally and internationally.

UDP 3: Leadership in Action focuses on building and sustaining activism in the union. We are inspired by the work of other union and social justice activists. We look more closely at how to develop ourselves as union activists: building on leadership skills and looking at healthy ways to sustain our energies. At UDP 3, the participant becomes the facilitator through development and delivery of interactive presentations on current issues requiring action. The course highlights a mock convention where we practice our political skills and model union democracy. UDP 3 is our springboard to increased activism. We will wind up by planning and celebrating our role in building the future of the union.

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The end is in sight. We are proceeding to our arbitration hearing in two weeks. We will be in front of the arbitrator from July 6 to July 8.

Throughout this round of bargaining, this employer has not negotiated with us. And as a result, we have applied for arbitration. Even though the employer has ensured that we don’t get a fair arbitration hearing by hiding behind the Expenditure Restraint Act, your bargaining team has decided to proceed to a formal arbitration hearing to get a ruling on our outstanding issues.

We will seek a ruling on all of our issues, even those with an economic impact as our proposals extend beyond 2011, which is the sunset date of the Expenditure Restraint Act.

On this page, you will see a link to our arbitration brief. This document lays out all of our remaining outstanding issues and it details the rationale for each proposal. There are nine issues that we are bringing to arbitration (article reference in brackets):

1. Travel Status Leave – captive time (34.09)
2. Injury on Duty Leave (41)
3. Education Leave (54)
4. Dangerous Goods Allowance (62)
5. Hours of Work for Marine Search and Rescue Coordinators (App. D)
6. Call-back pay for Hospital Technologists in Manitoba (New Appendix)
7. Hazardous Substances Handling Allowance (New)
8. Pre-retirement Leave (New)
9. Wages (App A)

Download the arbitration brief at the national website (pdf)

Celebrating 40 years of freedom!

Forty years ago, it was a crime in Canada to be gay. Homosexuality was severely punished, and the police regularly raided bars and saunas to arrest and prosecute gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, transsexuals and transgendered people.

In 1969, the Criminal Code was amended, and the state was officially thrown out of the bedroom: since then, our GLBT brothers and sisters can no longer be arrested and prosecuted because of who they choose to love.

• Join PSAC @ Pride this summer: in Victoria, July 5th and in Vancouver, August 2nd!

The fortieth anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality is an event that is important to remember and to celebrate. This historic landmark paved the way for the many significant reforms in labour law, in civil law and in human rights law that were won by GLBT activists over the years.

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… an ongoing series of articles and information of interest to PSAC stewards. See more at the stewards network pages.

For PSAC members who are covered by the Public Service Labour Relations Act (PSLRA), you will be interested in changes made to the process for classification grievances. The PSAC is recommending that “statement of duties” and “effective date” grievances be handled through the Informal Conflict Management System (ICMS). For a complete overview of the classification grievance process please visit the national website.

PSAC VICTORIA AREA COUNCIL GENERAL MEETING MINUTES – June 16th, 2009 PSAC Victoria Regional Office

Members Present:

• Nick Humphreys – UEW 20169
• Virginia Vaillancourt – UVAE 20030
• Cindy Little – UTE 20028
• Scott Parker – UTE 20028
• Ken Waldron – UNDE 21013
• Ian Wiggs UNDE 21008
• V. Arnold – AGR
• Drew Natland – UNDE 21011
• Paul Jones – UNDE 21008
• G. Goodmanson – ENV 20169
• Peter Neelands – NRU 20088

PSAC Victoria RO Staff Present:

• Dave Jackson – Regional Rep

Regrets:

• John Rumsby – UTE 20028
• Leanne Hughes – CIU 20042
• Bernadette Israel – GSU 20001
• Mandi Schubert – CEIU 20975
• Jim Sidel – DCL 20500

Continue reading below, or download the Victoria Area Council meeting minutes, June 16 2009

1. Call to order Chairperson Sister Little called the meeting to order at 5:36 pm

2. Introductions Roundtable introductions of members present

3. Proposed Agenda Amendment to Agenda

• Additions made:
• AGM Date
• Labour Day Picnic
• Lobby MP’s
• Victoria Labour Council Update
• m/s D. Natland/P. Jones

4. Adoption of Minutes from April 7, 2009 A few typos with local numbers & spelling were noted. These will be corrected and resent for posting. Followed up on action item from previous meeting. The email will be sent out within the next month.

5. Triennial Convention Debrief Copy of report as PDF.

6. Victoria Pride Parade GLBT Coordinator for BC – Paul Jones brought posters to advertise the Parade.

• This years Pride Parade is July 5, 2009
• Walking contingent will be multi-union
• Meet at 11 am. on Broad Street across from the Victoria Events Centre between Pandora and Johnson. Look for the PSAC flags.
• Parade starts at 12 pm from Broad street to Fisherman’s Wharf and there is a festival at the end.
• Look for the PSAC Banner when you arrive on Broad Street.

7. Compensation Advisors Reviewed document from PSAC website on AS Compensation Advisors

• A Brief Chronology
• You may view this document at http://www.psac.com/issues/campaigns/as_group-e/shtml
• Ian is looking to see if other Components can go to their Compensation advisors and find out how many clients do they look after.
  DND has 13 Compensation advisors and about 270 clients for each Compensation Advisor, plus 300 from NCR.
• If you know/can find out how many clients on average your compensation advisors have please email this info to Ian: president21008@shaw.ca

8. Treasurer’s Report Deferred to next meeting

9. Labour Council Update Last meeting is tomorrow.

• There will be no meetings during the summer time. The Victoria Labour Council will reconvene the 3rd Wednesday in September.
• Looking at moving the meetings to BCGEU building on Douglas Street due to some concerns raised by affiliated members regarding safety and parking.
• BC Fed Convention is November 23-25th in Vancouver Convention Centre. This will be a Policy Convention.
• Young Workers Retreat Sept 25-27th being put on by BC Fed. This is open to members between 19-30 years of age. If you have young workers who may be interested in attending please contact Dave Jackson at 250-953-1050.

10. Lobby MP’s by Victoria Labour Council

• Keith Martin & Gary Lunn will be visited
• Stimulus Package and to get them to relax rules on EI.
• Infastructure and public services
• MLA – new labour minister – Lanna – New MP for Saanich will be attending the Labour Council Meeting

11. Labour Day Picnic Labour Day Pinic is scheduled for September 7, 2009. The event is being moved to James Bay from the Gorge Road.

• More info to follow.
• Hot dogs/pop etc will be by donation.
• Action: Dave Jackson will be the point person for organizing table etc for PSAC.
• Motion for the Victoria Area Council to support the Victoria Labour Council Labour Day Picnic in James Bay and encourage its members to attend.
• K. Waldron/I. Wiggs

12. MP Lobby by PSAC PSAC is targeting the five liberal ridings in BC:

• Newton North Delta – MP Sukh Dhaliwal
• Vancouver South – MP Ujjal Dosanjh
• Vancouver Centre – MP Hedy Fry
• Esquimalt Juan de Fuca – MP Keith Martin
• Vancouver Quadra – MP Joyce Murray
• The goal is to establish constituency teams of members to meet directly with the MP’s during the month of July and present our position on a variety of PSAC issues such as:

• • Bill C-10 follow up;
  • Privatization of Labs and other public services;
  • Food Safety;
  • Improvements to EI;
  • Cuts to the CBC;
  • National Child Care Program;
  • Our Fish Campaign;
  • Student hiring in the Federal Public Service.
• I am asking for your involvement in this campaign by committing to join one of the constituency teams and/or help in indentifying members who:
  • reside in one of the ridings
  • may have a personal connection to one our our issues, and
  • are willing to join the team that will be meeting with the MP’s
• Please let me know if you or any of your members are interested and, if so, for which riding. I’d appreciate a response by next Monday morning June 20th so that I can contact those members as soon as possible and schedule the pre-meeting briefing sessions (I’ve already scheduled meetings with Joyce Murray @10am on Wednesday July 8, 2009 and Sukh Dhaliwal @10am on Friday July 17, 2009).
• Thanks again and let me know if you have any questions. You can reach Jayne Johns at 1-800-665-1655

13. AGM Date

• The AGM date that has been proposed is Tuesday Sept 15th 2009. This will be firmed up and a notice will be sent to all Locals.
• Affiliation dues to the Area Council are due at the AGM. To be able to vote during elections and other items that may be raised, dues must be paid in advance. Dues are 25 cents/member/month

14. Adjournment Motion to adjourn meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm
Sister Cindy Little, President Virginia Vaillancourt, Recording Secretary

OTTAWA — The Union of Solicitor General Employees (USGE), a component union of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), is launching a campaign to stop the federal governments plan to close six farming operations run by Correctional Service Canada (CSC) over the next two years.

The Save Our Farms campaign launched a website (www.saveourfarms.ca) to provide information about the farm programs and to mobilize public opinion against shutting them down. Save Our Farms hosts an electronic petition and provides a conduit for sending protest e-mails directly to Prime Minister Harper.

Also, working closely with organizations such as the National Farmers Union, the campaign is organizing protest meetings and community support events in the communities that will be most affected by any closures. Save Our Farms also intends to pursue an Access to Information request to force the government to make public the rationale for the closures contained in the Strategic Review recently conducted by the department.

The goal is to mobilize public opinion to pressure the Conservative government to reverse an incomprehensible and short-sighted decision, says John Edmunds, USGE National President.

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The PSAC has won a certification under the BC Labour Code for a group of Commissionaires working at the Ministry of Children and Family Development in Victoria. These members will become part of DCL Local 20500, and will be covered by the Island Commissionaires Collective Agreement. Welcome!

PSAC – Human Rights Committee Meeting, Vancouver Regional Office, 16 June 2009 – 6:00pm – 7:15pm

In Attendance:

• CHIMA, Sargy
• MUNDY, Wanda (Minutes)
• DALMAN, Sylvia
• SHUDO, Tracy (Conference)
• HOLMES, Pat (Conference)
• WILSON, Deanne

Regional Office:

• Patrick Bragg, Reg Communications Officer
• Garry Fraser, Regional Rep

Guest

• Marie DeCaire

Members arrived from 5:30 to 5:45pm – dinner (fabulous salmon burger barbeque provided and cooked by brother Garry Fraser) was served. While we were eating, sister DeCaire provided an explanation of how the Human Rights Committee Bank Account is being set up. The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by brother Garry Fraser – in view of the designated Chair (Alexander Bishop) being absent due to illness.

Continue reading below, or download the PSAC BC Human Rights Committee meeting, June 16th, minutes (pdf)

Agenda:

• Survey – Discussed at Previous (May) Meeting
• Aboriginal Day – 21 June – What We Can Do
• Re-vist of Future Plans (will be actively discussed in September)
• Tips on Chairing Meetings
• Set Date of Next Meeting After Summer Break (17 Sept)
• Round Table Discussion

1. Attention was given to brother Patrick Bragg’s presentation of the Survey he had composed as a result of our last (May) meeting. Following a brief discussion – sister Sargy Chima suggested adding what is now question #4 – “How often should the HRC hold meetings ?!?” – with choices given of either monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly.

Another brief discussion resulted in brother Bragg’s suggestion to send the survey (for checking–amendments–suggestions, etc.) to those who had attended the May meeting – during which the Survey was initially discussed. This has since been done (Thursday, 18 June) – with a request that any/all responses be in by 30 June. The Survey will then be sent to the list of self-ID’d members. Results will be dis-cussed and actioned at the September meeting.

2. A brief discussion was held regarding Aboriginal Day events we might attend. It was noted that this day (Sunday, 21 June) is also Father’s Day. However, sister Mundy spoke of 1) the Pow-Wow that is held annually at Trout Lake, and also of 2) the Vancouver branch of the National Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society (located at Commercial & Hastings) where Aboriginal Day events are held in the evening of 21 June – to accommodate all who celebrate Father’s Day earlier in the day. Brother Fraser also offered to contact employees of various involved agencies – and send out via e-Mail any information regarding other Aboriginal Day activities.

3. Brother Fraser re-visited the subject of “future planning” – to get an idea of just what sort of events–speakers might be possible – so that he could gather information in readiness for the next meeting.

4. Brother Fraser had got some “cheat sheet” pamphlets to distribute to all of us – for those interested in learning to Chair a meeting in the future.

5. Brother Fraser also had obtained posters and door cards for both Aboriginal Day and all other Human Rights issues. Some were taken by those attending the meeting – and brother Fraser agreed to send out the remaining ones to those who requested a supply via e-Mail.

6. Round Table – sister Mundy spoke of “Beats On Broadway” – a once-a-month coffee house event, held at the Mt Pleasant Neighbourhood House on the 3rd Friday of each month, from 7:30 to 10:00pm. MC’d by Earle Peach (director of the Solidarity Notes Choir), folks of all ages are welcome (there is no alcohol served) – to either participate as performers, or as audience – according to their abilities and/or preferences.

Sister Deanna Wilson raised an issue of interest regarding what appears to have been a contravention of the Staffing Procedure in her workplace.

7. The date of the next meeting (which will be the annual Barbeque & Potluck) was set for 17 September – and the meeting was adjourned at 7:15pm.

Submitted By: Wanda Mundy – Recording Secretary

The Public Service Alliance of Canada BC Region has a job opening, starting immediately, for a Summer Student Organizer based in Vancouver. Along with a team of other students across the country, the successful candidate will work to advance the goals of the PSAC Student Mobilization Project, primarily by outreach to students employed by the federal government, and will also work in support of summer initiatives related to PSAC’s Think Public campaign. For more details, see below. Further questions can be directed to Joanna Schultz – schultzj@psac.com or 604 430 5631 x 227.

To apply, send a resume and covering letter to email: schultzj@psac.com or fax: 604 430 0451 prior to the July 1st deadline.

All interested university students, including PSAC members, are encouraged to apply. The PSAC is committed to employment equity and is actively seeking to ensure a representative workforce. Applications are encouraged from equity groups including Women, Aboriginal Peoples, Racially Visible Members, Persons with Disabilities, and Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender persons.

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Purolator Courier applied for Conciliation today. This means that, in the next couple of weeks, the Minister of Labour will be appointing a Conciliation Officer to assist the parties in reaching a new collective agreement. The conciliation process usually lasts sixty (60) days, unless the parties agree to an extension.

Although the collective agreement had an expiry date of December 31, 2008, the terms and conditions of employment contained in the agreement were automatically extended until a new agreement is reached or until the parties are in a legal strike or lockout position (unless the bargaining agent consents to the alteration of the terms and conditions).

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Agriculture Union calls for swift implementation of House of Commons Agriculture Committee recommendations and call for inquiry into CFIA actions over listeriosis

Chalk up another victory for food safety and the influence of the Agriculture Union with federal politicians.

In an eagerly-awaited report, issued June 18, the House of Commons Agriculture Committee called for a number of measures to tighten up the country’s food system, including a public inquiry into the response of both the Conservative government and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency into last year’s listeriosis crisis.

What follows is a CBC report — one of the first media reactions — to the Committee’s report. As can be seen, our union is already calling for swift implementation of the Committee recommendations:

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Aboriginal rights are respected here: working together to build our strength

June 21 marks the summer solstice, which has been celebrated for centuries by many Aboriginal communities. In 1996, the Parliament of Canada proclaimed June 21st as National Aboriginal Peoples’ Day.

National Aboriginal Peoples’ Day is an opportunity for PSAC to express solidarity with Aboriginal Peoples and support the call for a better life for all Aboriginal Peoples. This is also an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Aboriginal Peoples in our communities and our union.

The federal government has failed to address the injustice of Aboriginal poverty, including lack of access to education, employment, housing, water, health care and other basic social services.

More than 12 years ago, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples made extensive recommendations to improve the situation of Aboriginal Peoples, however, these recommendations were either ignored or ineffectively implemented.

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Just a reminder that the next Vancouver RWC meeting is scheduled for June 25th, 5:30 PM at the Vancouver RO, 5238 Joyce Street, 2nd floor boardroom.

Agenda items

1. Update on Rebelles Young Feminist Conference
2. Update on Financial statements
3. 2009 Planning
4. BBQ for all

Please RSVP via return email or to Janelle @ 604 430 5631 x 234 so we can plan the food! Download a poster. (pdf)

PSAC participated in a historic first step toward long-awaited classification reform in the federal public service last fall. In November, PSAC and Treasury Board negotiated a collective agreement that includes a commitment by the employer to engage in a process of meaningful consultation with the union on occupational group structure, beginning with the Program and Administrative Services (PA) bargaining unit.

This group includes almost 70,000 employees responsible for program administration, information services, communications, secretarial services, office equipment, administrative services, welfare programs, clerical functions and data processing.

As we all know, this commitment to reform from the employer is years overdue. Classification standards in the federal government are over 40 years old and do not reflect the important services we deliver to Canadians on a daily basis.

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PSAC – Human Rights Committee Meeting, Vancouver Regional Office, 28 May 2009 6:00pm – 8:10pm. DRAFT, to be confirmed at next meeting.

In Attendance:

• BACKER, Karla
• McLARTY, Marion
• BISHOP, Alexander
• MUNDY, Wanda (Minutes)
• CHIMA, Sargy
• SHUDO, Tracy (Chair)
• DALMAN, Sylvia
• WILSON, Deanne
• FORSTER, Kim

Regional Office:

• Kay Sinclair, REVP
• Monica Urrutia, Regional Rep

Members arrived from 5:30 to 5:45pm – dinner was served – the meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by sister Tracy Shudo.

Continue reading below, or download the Human Rights Committee meeting minutes (pdf).

Agenda:

• HRC – Mission & Purpose (discussion to revisit)
• Planning – 6 months
• Elections: Secretary, Treasurer, 2nd Signer
• Rotating Chair (sharing the responsibility)
• Schedule of Meetings (alternate days of the week ?)
• Round Table Discussion

1. Discussion was held as to the reason(s) why meeting attendance has been dwindling for the past three years. Among the points raised were: a) assumption of implicit Leadership of the supporting Regional Rep (who ever that might be at any given time) – so that the membership has not felt the onus of responsibility for Leadership and/or ‘direction’ of the Committee; b) that there might be a possible disconnect between the understanding of how “Equity” issues are tied to the concept/definition/ perception of “Human Rights” (ie., how are they the same thing ?); c) the fact that plans for events are not discussed, goals are not set, follow-up is not done; d) that location and the meetings being held at the end of a week-day (and therefore, transportation and its costs – as well as child- and/or elder-care) may be issues for some of the members – and e) that the atmosphere has become more like a “club” than a Committee.

In order to provide clarity and increase understanding of the actual purpose of the Human Rights Committee, members suggested changing some of the language in the “Terms of Reference.” Inasmuch as the responsibility of the Human Rights Committee members is to attend the meetings (or send alternates) to ensure each Equity group has a voice, and inasmuch as there has been no ‘accountability’ to the constituency members as regards attendance – brother Alexander Bishop moved that non-attendance for a minimum of three (3) consecutive meetings – without reasonable explanation – should be reason for removal of member(s) from the HRC. Wanda Mundy seconded the motion. The motion carried and was passed unanimously.

Inasmuch as the HR Committee is comprised of Equity group members, as well as Area Council Reps, sister Sargy Chima moved that the word “alternates” be re-moved from the second Term of Reference, as “regular” Equity group members have no alternates – so that the phrase will now read: “All Committee members and their alternates must be active in the constituency they represent.”

Also briefly discussed was whether or not to change the first phrase of the “Terms of Reference” from “Committee will include each Council rep from the Equity groups” to “Committee MUST include each Council Rep from the Equity groups” – as sister Sinclair pointed out that this is something we may not have the authority to do. In any case, brother Bishop’s motion will address the issue of accountability.

The decision was made to prepare and distribute a questionnaire/survey to the mailing/membership list of the Human Rights Committee members – basically, all PSAC members who have self-identified. Sister Karla Backer suggested that among the questions asked should be:

a) Why have you stopped attending (or – Why have you never attended) the monthly HRC meetings ?

b) What would be the incentive needed to have you return (attend) ?

2. It was decided that (with input from the HR Committee members) Kay Sinclair, Patrick Bragg and Garry Fraser will jointly prepare and send the questionnaire/survey out to
the self-identified members – looking for a response by the mid-June meeting (16th) – so that we can better plan for future meetings/events after the Summer break.

Discussion was also held regarding the structure of the meetings themselves – whether to hold them monthly or quarterly, and under what circumstances the list of invitees would change (ie., business meetings would be alternated with “event” meetings – where business meetings would be “exclusive” to the working Committee members, and event meetings [where presenters would facilitate a learning or education session] would be “inclusive” – and sponsored by the HRC).

Sister Tracy Shudo suggested that the next meeting – to be held on 16 June ’09 – be our “Annual Barbeque” (usually jointly produced by the HRC and the Area Councils’ members). However – it was observed that the Area Council has used this meeting to conduct their business (elections, etc.), and the HRC rarely speaks or is noticed.

Discussion resulted in the decision to hold this year’s Annual Barbeque in Septem-ber, and that we (the HRC) would meet the same day, and prior to the Barbeque – to use this opportunity to revisit the analysis of the Survey/Questionnaire results and set the schedule for the following 6 months – including the possibility of alternating the meeting days (either Tuesday or Thursday) to accommodate the members’ ability to attend.

3. Elections were held for three “positions” within the HRC – that of Recording Secretary, Treasurer – and 2nd Signer. Sister Wanda Mundy was the only nominee for Recording Secretary – with sister Marion McLarty nominating, and sister Tracy Shudo seconding. Sister Sargy Chima was the only nominee for Treasurer, with sister Wanda Mundy nominating and sister Kim Forster seconding. Sister Karla Backor was the only nominee for 2nd Signer – with sister Kim Forster nominating and brother Alexander Bishop seconding. All nominees were elected by acclamation.

Discussion was held regarding having a pool of names who would assume the position of Chair of each meeting. The Chair would have the responsibility of sending out the reminder for each coming meeting – noting the date and time, and asking for Agenda items. Brother Alexander Bishop has volunteered to Chair the next meeting in June.

4. In the Round Table discussion, sister Kay Sinclair issued an announcement regarding upcoming JLP courses – with sister Wanda Mundy asking if those who attend could please pass on the information to those members who are not with Treasury Board.

Sister Sinclair also provided an informational document on Bil’in, the village in Palestine that is being illegally annexed by Israel – and asked that the Human Rights Committee consider a donation to help support this important issue. The

HRC unanimously voted to donate $100 to Bil’in’s Popular Committee Against The Wall – with sister Sylvia Dalman moving to donate, and sister Karla Backor seconding.

Sister Sinclair asked if we thought that a course in “how to Chair a meeting” would be useful – and we unanimously agreed that we would like to see such a course
made available. Follow-up information will be provided at the 16 June meeting.

The last discussion centered around our Annual Budget – how much we had at the beginning of this year, whether or not unused amounts are carried over from year to year – and how much we have remaining of this year’s budget. Sister Sinclair noted that she will follow-up with sister Carol Pegura when she returns from Education Leave, and will provide us with the Operating Balance remaining.

Any/all business remaining on the stated Agenda will be addressed pending the results of the Survey/Questionnaire.

5. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10pm.

Submitted By: Wanda Mundy – Recording Secretary

Here an article written by a PSAC member and published in the June 3 edition of the Terrace Standard. Tony Vincenzi is a former light house keeper (UCTE) and has been battling WCB and Sun Life since 2004. We are happy to say Tony, assisted by James Little (H&S/WCB Rep in the Victoria RO), has just been successful in winning a Section 23(3) loss of earning award from WCB.

JANUARY 4, 2004  at 14:20 hours is the recorded time that I joined a very elite circle of people. It’s the exact time I became a member of British Columbia’s permanently disabled work force.

I lost the independent life of being a member of the Canadian Coast Guard. I was relegated to a life of ongoing pain, of days of despair, of sleepless nights, and of the torment of the unknown.

It was a life admittedly I wished I could have ended on occasion.

These five years have resulted in the evolution of a completely new person. I am not able to judge if this person is of greater or lesser value than the man that was, but I do know that I have been able to become a man with which I can now live.

Physically I have aged at least 20 years. The outdoor existence that was my true nature has been forfeited. I have yet to develop a substitute, but I no longer rage at its passing. I valued my treasurers not by losing them but by enjoying them when I was able.

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Negotiations between Purolator Courier and the Public Service Alliance of Canada were scheduled to resume June 15 to 17, 2009.  However, the employer left the bargaining table on the second day before the end of the session.

Over the course of the 2 days, the parties reached agreement on the following issues:

• Reimbursement for safety shoes ($100 annually if required by the employer, $25 if not required)
• Paid leave of one day for the adoption of a child
• A Letter of Understanding dealing with vacation scheduling
• Travel allowance (current rate of 0.39 cents – if increased, higher rate to apply to the bargaining unit)

Outstanding items where agreement has not been reached yet include:

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2009 Brings the PSAC BC in support of the Victoria Labour Council as one of this year’s Victoria Pride Sponsors. This year is about the visual! We are stronger in numbers!

Paul Jones, GLBT Regional Council Coordinator invites one and all to join us in this year’s “PRIDE IN LABOUR” celebration at the Victoria Pride March: Sunday July 5, 2009. We’ll be meeting@11AM on Broad St (in front of Victoria Events Centre). Beads provided. Wear your most colorful outfit! “It is a gay affair!”

Download the poster (pdf).

The new agreement will run from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011 and provides a 4.5% wage increase over two years. The wage increases will apply as follows:

* July 1, 2009 – 1.0%
* January 1, 2010 – 1.0%
* July 1, 2010 – 1.0%
* January 1, 2011 – 1.5%

The agreement also includes a renewed commitment to developing a new classification system before this agreement expires. It also provides for the following improvements:

* additional days of vacation after 16 years of service;
* an additional half day of Family Related Leave for attending medical appointments;
* participation in Nav Canada’s self-funded leave program;
* the ability to carry over some compensatory time after year end;
* an on-going contribution to the “Union Management Relief Fund”

Most importantly in these difficult economic times, the PSAC negotiating team was able to reach an agreement that requires no concessions from its members.

Jayne Johns, Fraser Valley Coordinator on the BC Regional Council, will be working in the Vancouver RO starting June 15th. You may be hearing from Jayne over the next six weeks as she will be working on Political Action. She’ll be engaging members in BC in federal MP lobbying efforts and laying the groundwork for our federal election plan.

In addition, Regina Brennan has taken a position as a Grievance & Adjudication Officer lasting until January 2010. As the successful candidate, Garry Fraser will be backfilling and has taken over responsibility for Regina’s portfolio and Locals.

We are looking forward to working with Jayne, and continuing to work with Garry!