Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

The Public Service Alliance of Canada and Servisair Inc. formerly GlobeGround Fuel Services will resume negotiations with the assistance of a conciliation officer from Tuesday March 2 to Friday March 5, 2010.

The parties were able to exchange proposals in December and met again in January and were able to reach agreement on a number of issues. The employer applied for conciliation in January despite the number of outstanding issues. Full copy of bargaining proposals can be found at www.local20221.com

The bargaining unit has approximately seventy-three members who provide fueling and fueling related services at the Vancouver International Airport.

For further information, please contact VP Labour Relations – Jason Salchert at 604.999.4961

• Tuesday March 2nd between 11AM and 3PM (briefings will be staggered on the 1/2 hour)
• Welch 1 & 2 Rooms, YWCA, 535 Hornby Street, Vancouver

Come to a lunch and learn meeting, Tuesday March 2nd, between 11AM and 3PM (briefings will be staggered on the 1/2 hour) to find out what you can do to safeguard pensions for federal government workers and all Canadians.

Please RSVP to the Vancouver RO at (604) 430-5631 as pizza and refreshments will be provided.

Spread the word! Download a poster (pdf).

Vancouver Regional Women’s Committee meeting

• Tuesday, March 2, 2010
• 5:30 p.m. – Light Supper, 6:00 p.m. – Meeting
• PSAC Vancouver Regional Office, 200-5238 Joyce St. Vancouver, B.C.

Agenda:

• 2009 Financial Statement
• 2010 Budget
• Elections
• IWD Events

Please RSVP to Colette Savarie. Spread the word: download a poster.

Victoria Regional Women’s Committee invites you to attend a movie history night to celebrate International Women’s Day

• Monday March, 8, 2010
• 5:30 pm to 7:30/8:00 pm
• Victoria PSAC Office, 210-1497 admirals Road

Bring your Mothers/daughters/sisters with you! Please rsvp by March 4th, 2010 to Rosemary, and include any dietary needs, as food will be provided. Download a poster!

PSAC – Human Rights Committee Meeting, Vancouver Regional Office, 17 November 2009 – 5:30pm – 8:00pm

In Attendance:

• SHUDO, Tracy
• MUNDY, Wanda (Secretary)
• CHIMA, Sargy
• THANDI, Jag
• WILSON, Deanna
• JABAL, Pam
• GHAG, Meena
• HO, Jennifer
• FRASER, Gary
• JONES, Paul (Vancouver Island)
• BRENNAN, Regina (Temporarily)
• SANDHU, Bhupinder

Agenda:

• Call to Order
• Roll Call
• Human Rights Day (Dec 10th, 2009) Activities
• Adoption of the previous (September) Minutes.
• Election of Chairperson and Co-Chair
• December Human Rights Committee Social
• Goals & Objectives for 2010
• Debrief “Made In L.A.” – sisters Tracy Shudo & Wanda Mundy
• Financial Statement
• Adjournment

Members arrived by 5:45pm – dinner was served – and the meeting was called to order by Gary Fraser at 6:00pm.

Before the Agenda was addressed – sister Regina Brennan made a brief presentation on behalf of the VDLC Arts & Culture Sub-Committee regarding BC Human Rights Day activities – as she had to be elsewhere by 6:30pm. Discussed was the possibility of holding a Dec 10th event at the LAWA Café (920 Commercial Dr), or participating in others’ events (BC HRCP – Philippines).

Also mentioned were the logistics of funding participants/events @ $10-per-plate – on a “first come, first served” basis – up to 20 people. Brother Paul made a motion to donate $200 for the band, “Fraser Union,” who were performing at the LAWA Café. Sister Pam Jabal seconded – and the motion was unanimously passed.

(Note: We need to know what our budget is at the beginning of every year.)

The Minutes of the previous (September) meeting were read and adopted as written.

The Elections for a Chairperson and a Co-Chair were held – each position to be a year in duration from the date of the election.

Nominees: Tracy Shudo Wanda Mundy – Nominator
Deanna Wilson – 2nd

Sargy Chima Pam Jabal – Nominator
Mina Ghag – 2nd

Wanda Mundy Paul – Nominator
Jag Thandi – 2nd

Sister Wanda Mundy declined to run. The election was held, with the result that sister Sargy Chima will hold the position for a year of Chairperson for the BC Human Rights Committee, and sister Tracy Shudo will hold the position of Co-Chair for the same time.

Sister Sargy Chima has stated that she hopes to not only re-grow the Human Rights Committee, but also wants to serve further – as a member of the on the Health & Safety Committee. Sister Tracy Shudo will continue her good work as the Disability Rep for BC.

It was decided to hold the annual December (“Christmas”) Social on 11 December – a Friday. Sisters Tracy Shudo and Wanda Mundy will prepare the main courses of the turkey, smashed potatoes, special stuffing and gravy (sister Shudo) – and the veggies and cranberry/pear relish (sister Mundy). Desserts and beverages will be supplied by various members of the HRC. Sister Mundy has also booked her trio – “Illiteraty” – to perform (Earle Peach – Solidarity Notes Choir Director – and Albert Klassen – as the other two members of the trio) – and there will be games and prizes for the children.

After a brief discussion, a motion was made by sister Tracy Shudo and seconded by brother Paul – to delay discussion and planning of 2010 Goals & Objectives until we have a better understanding of our budgetary limits. The motion passed unanimously.

Sisters Tracy Shudo and Wanda Mundy had made arrangements to attend the viewing of a documentary film, called “Made in L.A.” – that had been shown at the SFU Harbour Campus. This film, which began initially as a 2-month student project – but then grew to a 3-year commitment to tell the whole story – centered around the struggle of a community of illegal Latina garment workers in Los Angeles – who, against many barriers (not the least of which was their illegal status), tried to form a Union. Working 12 to 16-hr days for less than minimum wages, doing piecework – they would see the clothing which they had made for pennies – being sold for thousands of dollars Retail.

At the end of the film, the sisters were able to meet and speak directly with two of the participants in the film – a very powerful experience. It has been put forward that the BCHRC look into acquiring copies of this film for purposes of education and re-sale.

The Financial Statement was read and adopted as follows:

$ 507.39 (currently in the bank)
$ 500.00 (coming from the PSAC)
$1,007.39 Total

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00pm.

Submitted By: Wanda Mundy – Recording Secretary, 16 February 2010

Come to a lunch and learn meeting, Wednesday February 17th, anytime between 11AM and 3PM to find out what you can do to safeguard pensions for federal government workers and all Canadians. Please RSVP to Garry Fraser at (604) 430-5631 as lunch and drinks will be provided.

• Wednesday February 17th 11AM – 3PM
• Vancouver Public Library, 300 W Georgia, Alma Vandusen room

Spread the word! Download a poster here (pdf).

• Position Title: Secretary, Regional Office
• Branch/Section: Regional Offices Branch
• Employment Type: Indeterminate
• Classification: Band 7
• Language: English

Employment Equity Designation: As a result of the PSAC Workforce and Availability Analysis and in accordance with the PSAC Employment Equity Plan, the successful candidate for this appointment will be a qualified Racially Visible
person.

Purpose of Position: As part of the Regional Office administrative team provides administrative and secretarial support to the Regional Office and participates in the provision of comprehensive administrative services that enables the regional office to fulfill its role in a timely and credible manner. Under the direction of the Regional Coordinator, assists in the maintenance of the administrative aspects of the regional offices while carrying out a wide variety of administrative, secretarial and clerical responsibilities to ensure the efficient operation of the regional office.

More details are available in the job poster and work description. The competition closes February 26 2010.

Mainland Human Rights Committee meeting

• February 16, 2010 – 5:30PM
• Vancouver RO, 5238 Joyce Street
• and via conference call – email Regina Brennan for details

Agenda Items:

• International Women’s Day
• Financial Update
• Financial Limitations for Chairperson
• Access Conference

Tracy Shudo has suggested the Human Rights Committee do a pot luck dinner for the meeting, contact Tracy for more information and to assist.

Vancouver Island Human Rights Committee meeting & Potluck Social: 5:00-5:30 PM (Bring snacks or whatever you want)

• February 18, 2010 @ 5:30 PM
• PSAC Victoria Regional Office, 210-1497 Admirals Road
• Agenda: To be announced.

Potluck Social: 5:00-5:30 PM (Bring snacks or whatever you want)

Old Business for review

1. Review Last Meeting’s Minutes in general
2. Update on New Banking Account & Obtaining 3 Signers – Mandi

New Business:

1. Final Draft of TOR to be adopted and put into force – Paul
2. VIHRC Acronyms + Pronunciation – Michael
3. Adoption of 2010 dates for VIHRC meetings throughout the year -  Michael
4. VIHRC Election for available positions:  Chair, Co-Chair, Treasurer & Recording Secretary – All
5. VIHRC Budgeting Issues – Michael
6. Pride 2010 Funding Request – Paul
7. PSAC National Access Conference in Ottawa – All
8. End of VIHRC Logo Contest Results (Contest ended: Nov 2, 2009) – Dave
9. VIHRC Logo Designs – Committee to select a winning logo? & How to award a prize? – Michael/Wendy
10. Directive on Banner Style & Costing (Regardless on outcome of logo contest) – Mark
11. Website hosting for VIHRC resources?  – Michael

Victoria Area Council Meeting

• March 9, 2010, 5:30PM
• Victoria Regional Office, 210-1497 Admirals Road

Proposed Agenda

1. Treasurer’s report
2. Federal budget follow-up
3. De-staffing of lighthouses update
4. Pension campaign
5. Campbell River & District Area Council

Please RSVP to Rosemary at the Regional Office no later than noon on March 8, 2010. Snacks will be served.ar

The 19th Annual Feb 14th Womens Memorial March takes place on Sunday, February 14 2010 and begins at 12pm at the Carnegie Community Centre Theatre, 401 Main Street (corner Hastings, Vancouver)

In January 1991 a woman was murdered on Powell Street in Vancouver. Her name is not spoken today out of respect for the wishes of her family. This woman’s murder in particular was the catalyst that moved women into action. Out of this sense of hopelessness and anger came an annual march on Valentine’s Day to express compassion, community, and caring for all women in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, Coast Salish Territories.

Nineteen years later, the march continues to honour the lives of missing and murdered women. Increasing deaths of many vulnerable women from the DTES still leaves family, friends, loved ones, and community members with an overwhelming sense of grief and loss. Over 3000 women are known to have gone missing or been murdered in Canada since the 1970s. Last year, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women issued this statement: “Hundreds of cases involving aboriginal women who have gone missing or been murdered in the past two decades have neither been fully investigated nor attracted priority attention.”

The February 14th Women’s Memorial March in Vancouver is an opportunity to come together to grieve the loss of our beloved sisters, remember the women who are still missing, and to dedicate ourselves to justice.

Visit womensmemorialmarch.wordpress.com for more information.

The PSAC BC Mainland Human Rights Committee presents … Human Rights and Festive Celebration 2009

The Mainland Human Rights Committee would like to extend a warm welcome to all PSAC members, committees, and Area Councils to join us at our Human Rights and Festive Celebration.

• December 11th, starting at 6PM
• PSAC Vancouver RO
• 200 – 5238 Joyce Street

Bring your family, your children, your loved ones – we’ll have a wonderful variety of festive foods and music performed by the group “Illiterati”. Please RSVP by December 4th to Garry Fraser or (604) 430 5631 x 231. We look forward to seeing you there! Download the poster (pdf)

The next Vancouver RWC meeting will be at 5:30PM at the PSAC Vancouver RO – 200 – 5238 Joyce Street (1 1/2 blocks south of the skytrain).

Agenda Items:

• Update on Women’s Retreat – September
• Update on Women’s Forum – November
• Movie Marilyn Waring on Women and Economics (30 mins.)
• December 6th BC Fed Breakfast
• Financial update

Please RSVP to Colette Savarie at 604 430 5631.

The Surrey Urban Youth Project is an arts-based, youth-driven, empowerment program providing training in anti-oppression, facilitation, peer-support, conflict transformation, nonviolent communication, public speaking, and community organizing for youth 14 and older; with a particular focus on engaging (im)migrant, refugee, Indigenous and “at-risk” communities in Surrey. We support participants in developing whole and healthy lives to become active leaders in their communities.

Job Description: We will be hiring two arts-based, anti-oppression youth empowerment Facilitators who will work in a team environment with SUYP Co-Coordinators and Youth Mentors to plan and deliver the 2010 Surrey Urban Youth Project. The contract will run from November 30th 2009 – September 2010.

For more information, see the attached job posting (pdf)

Building a better future for Canada’s children: the need for public childcare

The verdict has long been in – a public system blending early childhood education and child care (ECEC) delivers high quality programs for children and families. What would that system look like? What can we do to push governments to act?

• A Great Place to Grow-Public Child Care
• Vancouver Public Library, Alice McKay Room
• November 24, 2009 – 7-9 pm

Come to a public event aimed at developing – and moving forward – a 21st-century vision for ECEC. Martha Friendly (Childcare Resource and Research Unit in Toronto) and Susan Prentice (University of Manitoba sociology professor), co-authors of the just-published About Canada: Childcare, will join local CUPE and community child care activists to share their views on building a better future for Canada’s children. A series of forums sponsored by CUPE.

The next Human Rights Committee meeting will be held on November 17, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. at the PSAC Regional Office at 200-5238 Joyce Street, Vancouver.

• The Agenda
• Election of Chairperson and Co-chairperson
• Human Rights Day December 10th Activities
• Upcoming December Social Gathering
• Setting Goals and Objectives for Upcoming Year
• “Made in L.A.” movie debrief from Tracy and Wanda.
• Bank Statements

Attending: Megan Adam, Jamey Mills, Sharon Tieman, Bill Pleming, Jack Seto, Monica Urrutia

Continue reading or download a PDF copy of the Vancouver Area Council Meeting minutes, Sept. 22, 2009

1) AGM Planning

• October 27^th confirmed date. Location, Vancouver RO
• Discussion about putting off proposed educational/speakers until the next meeting in January in order to focus on AGM business.
• AGM agenda will include:
  • Report of Exec
  • Treasurer/Budget
  • Reports of member locals
  • Kay Sinclair and Stephen Dunsmore (to be invited) to speak on local political action and the lightstation issue
  • Will play “spot the public service” game during dinner to show how it works (still have some coffee left for prizes).
  • Elections
  • Other issues as raised/roundtable
• Food will be Indian from Saffron.
• Megan to contact Stephen Dunsmore, Monica to contact Kay Sinclair.

2) January Meeting

• Discussion was had about doing a January educational around Bill C-10, pay equity and the government’s attempt to silence unions. PSAC charter case etc.
• Suggestion to invite David Eby (on charter right to association, speech), Peter Jullian (on pay equity petition and case) and have PSAC rep speak to the charter case.
• Suggestion to hold event at a downtown venue, 5 pm after work, and promote to members and the public.
• Megan to contact Jacquie De Aguayo regarding this proposal to see if the timing would be appropriate. Will also talk to legal representative this week.
• Will ask Sam to speak with Jullian’s office about schedule in January to determine possible dates.

3) Roundtable

4) Adoption of minutes from last meeting.

Please see below for information regarding the 2009 World Peace Forum Teach in or visit www.peaceforumteachin.org

>> Note that the BC Regional Council voted to purchase up to 30 tickets for PSAC members who may be interested in attending. Please email braggp@psac.com or call 604 430 5631 and ask for Patrick for a ticket – they are available on a first come/first served basis <<

From Crash to Catastrophe …

The ‘Great’ Depression, the rise of fascism, the debates that shook the workers’ movement, the Spanish Civil War, the transformation from coal to oil, the rise of the American Empire, the origins of mass media, the birth of mass industrial unions, youth, anti-war and solidarity movements and much more-the ‘thirties’ were a decade that had a huge impact on the world we live in today and the tasks that face activists. Following the success of the 2008 World Peace Forum Teach-In, which looked at the impact of World War I, this gathering of academics, artists and activists will discuss and debate the decade between the great ‘crash’ of October 1929 and the official beginning of the Second World War in September of 1939.

With the goal of supporting peace, economic and social justice and ecological sustainability, the World Peace Forum is creating a program featuring speakers from across North America who will shed light on the roots of the present in the past. In plenary sessions and smaller workshops the lessons of history and the tasks of today will be discussed and debated. On Remembrance Day, November 11, there will be a special series of panels for young people-the generation who will decide what the future of humanity will look like and whether there will be one.

(more…)

Vancouver Area Council Minutes, August 24, 2009

Attending: Alison Timmins, Monica Urrutia, Sam Wiese, Jamey Mills, James Painter, Deanna Wilson, Sharon Tieman, Rhonda Johns, Megan Adam

continue reading below or download the Vancouver & District Area Council meeting minutes, Aug 24 2009 (pdf)

1) Motion to accept minutes from previous meeting: Jamey/Sharon – accepted.

2) Summer Student: Alison Timmins reported on the students in the federal government campaign – introduced the petition and distributed materials.

3) CoDev AGM – discussed, some members from the Area Council will attend.

4) Labour Day Picnic – Monica – discussion about activities at Vancouver Labour Day which has been moved to Trout Lake (John Hendry) Park. Decided to play “spot the public services game” at the table, with psac prizes and café etico coffee as the grand prize. Megan to arrange coffee, Monica to arrange large public service pictures for the table. $100 donation to Labour Day Picnic agreed to – moved by Jamey/Rhonda.

5) Health & Safety Convention resolution re: JLP and H&S training. Discussed and no resolution passed by the VAC.

6) Vancouver District Labour Council discussed, Local 20147 will be applying for monies from the VAC for participation in the VDLC.

7) Bruce Ogilvie – stepping down from the VAC executive due to workplace transfer. Wishes the council a hearty farewell and would like to continue involvement.

Next Meeting & AGM

• September 22 – Next meeting will focus on planning of the AGM
• October 27th – Scheduled AGM.
  • Regional Council meeting report
  • Resolutions/amendments to bylaws have to be in by September 30th
  • Jamey & Megan to meet for work on Bylaws – believe there to be some outstanding issues from last AGM.
  • Discussion about agenda including speakers on public services vs. the Olympics. The Olympics: At What Cost? Housing and the Olympics.

9) Roundtable.

West Fraser Valley Annual General Meeting

• September 21,  5:30PM
• Knight and Day Restaurant 9677 King George Highway @ 96th Avenue
• Agenda items include election of officers

Vancouver Area Council Meeting

• September 22, 2009 5:30PM
• Vancouver Regional Office – #200 – 5238 Joyce Street, 3rd floor boardroom
• Agenda items so far include: planning for the AGM (scheduled for October 27, 2009), update on Vancouver Area Council local/branch affiliation campaign

BRUSH (Health and Safety) Committee Meeting

• September 23, 5:30PM
• Vancouver Regional Office – #200 – 5238 Joyce Street
• Members unable to attend the meeting at the Vancouver RO may join in the discussion via conference call – call the RO for details
• Agenda items: H1N1, Terms of Reference, Health Canada – Ergonomic, National H&S Conference

Vancouver Island Human Rights Committee Meeting – Victoria

• Date: September 10, 2009
• Time : 5:30 PM
• Where: PSAC Victoria Regional Office, 210-1497 Admirals Road

Agenda

• Potluck Social: 500-530 PM
• Guest Speaker: Douglas Connell Infocus Rehabilitation Services (Brain Injury Program) on cuts to Literacy Victoria – Impact to Persons with Disabilities
• Old Business:
  • Terms of Reference
  • PSAC Banner
  • Pride Parades
  • VIHRC logo contest
• New Business:
  • Cheque-Start up costs for VIHRC
  • Impact to members-New Directive on Medical Leave
  • VIHRC awareness / brainstorm
  • Awareness Opportunities-Working with Area Council and Regional Women’s Committee
  • Committee Membership

BC Human Rights Committee meeting & BBQ – Vancouver

• Date: September 22, 2009
• Time : 5:45 PM
• Where: PSAC Vancouver RO, 200 5238 Joyce Street

Agenda

• Chairperson – Rotating Chair or Elected
• Results of Human Rights Committee Survey
• Schedule for meetings for the following six months including, alternating the meeting days (either Tuesday or Thursday)

Vancouver Area Council – March 19/2009

Mintes: Megan Adam, VAC Secretary

In attendance: Marie Lygo, Jamey Mills, Sam Wiese, Sharon Tieman, Monica Urrutia, Terri Lee, Jack Seto, Erica Young, Deana Wilson, Rhonda

Download the Vancouver Area Council March 19 2009 meeting minutes as .pdf

• Introductions

• Old Business: At the AGM it was discussed that the VAC provide funding for an observer to PSAC convention. This was raised again with a contribution of $300 provided to Terri Lee who was the first alternate elected as delegate to convention. Carried unanimously.

• PSAC Convention Info: Discussion about delegate strategies, MayDay Resolution, delegate entitlement formulas for regional conventions, temporary foreign worker resolution etc.

• Day of Mourning: April 28^th, 7:30 Vancouver Art Gallery: Visibility money for Area Council Banner – Sam to follow up with REVP’s office. Discussion about Day of Mourning activities coinciding with PSAC Convention.

• MayDay Organizing Ctte: Call-out for 1^st organizing meeting. March 24^th, 7 pm 672 East Broadway (Organizing Center). Megan & Sam to attend. Motion to donate $100 to organizing committee moved by Megan, seconded by Jamey. Speaker?

• VDLC Resolution: Murder of Filipino school teacher –motion passed to condemn the killing and demand that feds tie aid to human rights progress.

• Report from Treasurer

• RoundTable:

• • Sharon Tieman: UPCE thank-you for strike support – picket line strength made for a stronger workplace and a stronger union local.
  • Marie Lygo: UVAE – discussion about Canada’s atrocious record on poverty and getting active around that.
  • Rhonda Johns: UPCE/Puralator – negotiations beginning, going to BCFed Women’s Organizing Institute
  • Terri Lee: Agriculture – CFIA agreement ratified – employer asked for an extension on retro pay, union has refused.
  • Jack Seto: GSU – drew attention to world water day and CBC special on the topic.

Vancouver Regional Womens’ Committee Meeting

When: Thurs. September 3rd, 5:30PM
Where: PSAC Vancouver RO, 2nd floor – 5238 Joyce Street

AGENDA

1. Upcoming women’s’ retreat on September 11 & 12th
2. Budget 2010
3. Suggestions for guest speaker or topic for next meeting
4. Request for funding to PSAC National Health & Safety conference
5. Planning for December 6th events
6. Brief update on the Summer Institute for Union Women event
7. East meets West Fraser Valley Area Council event

Light snacks to be provided, please RSVP to Colette Savarie at (604) 430 5631 x 229 or savaric@psac.com