Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

The Philippine Women Centre of BC invites you to a multi-media report back from the Women’s International Solidarity Affair in the Philippines (WISAP) organized by GABRIELA-Philippines that was held from July 29 - August 5th, 2007.

• Date and time: Monday, September 10, 6:30 pm
• Venue: Kalayaan Centre, 451 Powell Street (see map)
• Who: All are welcome!

Monica Urrutia, member of the Philippine Women Centre of BC and staff of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, was one of the delegates to the WISAP and will be sharing her experiences from her exposure trip to Leyte province, and her participation in the 10th annual WISAP under the theme: The Women’s Vision - Strategies and Tactics of Women’s Resistance.

The application deadline is Friday, August 24^th.

The theme for our Conference is “Women and the Environment: Our Health, Our Families, Our Communities, Our Jobs”

Are you worried about how environmental degradation is affecting your health? your family? your community? your job? your leisure time? your safety? What’s happening to our environment is a women’s issue and a union issue.

Join with other union women at our upcoming women’s conference to learn more about what is happening to our environment, hear from union sisters who work in the front line federal departments about how government cutbacks are undermining our ability to protect each other, network with others in the union and community who are working together to save our planet, and find out how you can get involved.

The Conference will take place September 28,29,30 2007 at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, Burnaby, BC.

Apply on line here, or download an application form (pdf) and mail or fax it back to the Vancouver Regional Office. Please note the application deadline is Aug 24^th, and the resolution deadline is Aug 17^th. Resolutions may be submitted by PSAC constitutionally-recognized bodies and union structures.

To: PSAC Regional Women’s Committees

We are pleased to be sending you this Registration package for the 2007 PSAC National Women’s Conference, which will be held November 23rd – 25th, 2007 at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel in Toronto, Ontario, under the theme PUBLIC SERVICES …PAVE THE WAY TO EQUALITY!

• More information & registration package at the national website.

This registration package is available upon request in Braille and/or on diskette (MS Word) through the PSAC Programs Section by contacting Sue Courchaine at 613-560-5457 or by email at courchs@psac.com

Conference Objectives

The objectives at our 2007 PSAC National Women’s Conference are to:

1. develop our analysis of the impact of federal government policies and cutbacks on women’s equality and human rights
2. understand the importance of quality public services for women as workers and members of society
3. increase PSAC sisters’ involvement in the campaign to Defend Quality Public Services and in coalitions working to defend and advance equality rights
4. build women’s political capacity and activism in the union, the community and beyond and develop action plans which are effective and easy to implement.

(more…)

The theme for our Conference is “Women and the Environment: Our Health, Our Families, Our Communities, Our Jobs”

Are you worried about how environmental degradation is affecting your health? your family? your community? your job? your leisure time? your safety? What’s happening to our environment is a women’s issue and a union issue.

Join with other union women at our upcoming women’s conference to learn more about what is happening to our environment, hear from union sisters who work in the front line federal departments about how government cutbacks are undermining our ability to protect each other, network with others in the union and community who are working together to save our planet, and find out how you can get involved.

The Conference will take place September 28,29,30 2007 at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, Burnaby, BC.

Apply on line here, or download an application form (pdf) and mail or fax it back to the Vancouver Regional Office. Please note the application deadline is Aug 24^th, and the resolution deadline is Aug 17^th. Resolutions may be submitted by PSAC constitutionally-recognized bodies and union structures.

The next Vancouver RWC meeting is coming up on Tuesday May 22nd at 5:30PM at the Vancouver Regional Office, 200-5238 Joyce St. (1 1/2 block south of the SkyTrain). This month’s topic/agenda item will be Planning for the upcoming Regional Women’s conference.

please RSVP to the Vancouver RO at 604.430.5631

The BC Summer Institute for Union Women offers an intensive week of learning within a supportive environment in which union women can develop their skills as workers, activists and leaders.

Sponsored by the British Columbia Federation of Labour, the Institute will be held at the University of Victoria (UVIC), Wednesday July 4, 2007 through Sunday July 8, 2007

Our theme, Strong Women Taking Action, reflects labour’s commitment to providing women with both the skills and strategies to take on the challenges we face in today’s world. We need the world to hear more women’s voices speaking out on issues that matter to women, issues like: pay equity, a higher minimum wage, universal childcare, health care, and violence against women.

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PSAC Okanagan Regional Women’s Committee Minutes of Meeting April 13, 2007

The Library, Mickie’s Pub, Kelowna

In Attendance:

The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. with Jennifer Leenhouts in the chair.

Minutes: Minutes from January 27, 2007 were accepted. m/s/c

Continue reading below, or download the Okanagan RWC minutes April 13 2007 (pdf)

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PSAC Vancouver Regional Women’s Committee Meeting September 13, 2006

In Attendance

• Alethea Boire
• Sargy Cheema
• Patricia Ganczar
• Stephanie Oostrander
• Cheryl Oenema
• Sanda Turner
• Monica Urrutia
• Deanna Wilson

Regrets

• Regina Brennan
• Kim Forster
• Angela Marafon
• Carol Pegura

Speakers

• Danielle Bisnar
• Marilou Carrillo

Continue reading below, or download the Vancouver RWC meeting minutes, September 13 2006 (pdf)The meeting opened with a welcome to members of the Women’s Committee and to the members of the Human Rights Committee. We had a roundtable where everyone introduced herself and then the floor was given to the speakers, two board members from The Philippine Women Center of BC.

The speakers talked about the “Stop the Killings” awareness campaign. 750 politicized killings have occurred in the Philippines since President Gloria Arroyo took power. These 750 people include trade unionists, church people, journalists, lawyers, human rights workers, ordinary workers and peasants. Many of these people were critical of the Arroyo government in its failure to address poverty and corruption.

Progress is slowly being made though. A Women’s Political Party has been formed in the Philippines. One woman won a seat in the election. Popular vote determines who gets seats. It is the people who are mobilizing people. Unfortunately, these are the ones that are being murdered.

They also spoke about the make-up of the Philippines. 80% of the population are urban poor and peasants. This inequality is pushing people to migrate. Statistics say that 3000 people leave the Philippines every day, and 60-70% of these people are women. They go to low paying jobs overseas, yet most are university educated.

The speakers noted that locally, weekly vigils are held in front of the Canadian consulate in the hopes that it will put pressure on the Canadian government to act and bring awareness to the problem.
Donations to the BC Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines can be made as well.

Alethea Boire asked if there was anything the PSAC Vancouver Women’s Committee could do and Danielle mentioned that the Committee could send their own statement to Peter McKay about the killings in the Philippines, to which all in attendance agreed to.

After the speakers were finished, the remainder of committee business was tended to.

Alethea noted that 3 boxes of mugs have been donated to the Downtown Eastside Women’s Center. Sanda noted that she forgot to bring her mugs tonight, but will bring them at a later date.

Childcare campaigns were discussed and whether or not our committee wanted to ‘piggyback’ on a current campaign. Monica spoke about the “Childcare-Kids are Worth It” campaign, and handed out buttons for us to wear and to hand out. Sanda mentioned that the YWCA might be a good resource for childcare campaigns. Cheryl offered to look into any assistance the YWCA can provide.

Monica also mentioned that Grassroots Women is holding a one-day childcare forum on October 21st and invited the sisters to attend.

Alethea noted that it is usual for the Women’s Committee to give honorariums to speakers at our meetings. She made a motion “ to give a $100 honorarium to the Philippine Women’s Center of BC”
M/s/c Boire/Oenema

Adjournment: 7:10

PSAC Women’s Committee Meeting June 15, 2006

In Attendance

• Alethea Boire
• Regina Brennan
• Parveen Deepak
• Patricia Ganczar
• Angela Marafon
• Deanna Wilson

The meeting started at 17:55.

Continue reading below or download the Vancovuer RWC meeting minutes, June 15 2006 (pdf)

There was no update to the finances.

Deanna gave a verbal report on the CLC Women’s Conference. A written report will follow at a later date. Highlights of the conference included an organized lobby (about child care) to MPs at Parliament Hill, and a selection of interpretive dances performed by the Dandelion Dance Group. She also participated in workshops while at the conference.

The participants present at the meeting discussed the September meeting and what should be on the agenda. The Conservative childcare agenda was discussed and ideas such as an email or postcard campaign were mentioned.
Parveen to connect with BC Federation of Labour and email links to the Women’s Committee.

Angela to contact Christine (CEIU) to talk to Val Burgey about the “Hands Off” campaign (Ontario campaign to bring awareness to childcare issues).

The Filipino Women’s Center has offered to send a speaker to speak at one of the Women’s Committee meetings. All were in agreement that the September meeting would be a good time for this to happen. Angela to contact Monica Urritia re: Filipino Women’s Center speaker.

Because there will be a speaker at the next meeting, the poster for the September meeting will specify that the meeting is at 5:30 and the speaker starts at 6:00 sharp. Also at the end of this meeting, the co-chairs will ask people if they want to stay and discuss events around December 6th and the child care campaigns.

Angela discussed the possibility of adding a line item to next year’s budget for “transportation” and “child care”. All agreed that this should be revisited when we plan our budget for 2007.

Angela noted that she is in the process of following up on Marcia Bradley’s video for showing at a Women’s Committee meeting.

Regina noted that there is an on-going information picket in front of the Real Canadian Superstore on Grandview Hwy. Westfair Foods is a supplier to Superstore and they are on strike because their employer wants to reduce the wages of all new hires dramatically (almost half the wages of those employed currently).

The meeting was adjourned at 19:00.

The latest profile of federal workers shows women have made important progress in the public service.

The proportion of women within the segment of the public service known as the “core public administration,” or CPA increased steadily over the period studied — 1995 and 2006 — and since 1999, women have outnumbered men, Statistics Canada data released yesterday showed.

The study compared data from 1995 and 2006 to track employment trends in the federal public service and how workers compare to the rest of the country’s workforce.

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PSAC – Okanagan Regional Women’s Committee, Minutes of Meeting – January 27, 2007, The Library, Mickie’s Pub, Kelowna

In Attendance:

• Susan Yaciw UTE 20003
• Maria-Luiza Romano AGR 20027
• Kareen Stanich AGR 20043
• Ruth Eisworth UTE 20026
• Darrell-Lee McKenzie AGR 20043
• Joy Harrison Retired
• Kelly Megyesi CEIU 20915
• Roberta Gourlie CEIU 20915

The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. with Susan Yaciw in the chair.

Download the Okanagan RWC minutes January 27 2007 (pdf) or continue reading below

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PSAC - Okanagan Regional Women’s Committee, Minutes of Meeting – September 30, 2006, Coast Capri Hotel, Kelowna

In Attendance:

• Susan Yaciw UTE 20003
• Maria-Luiza Romano AGR 20027
• Jennifer Leenhouts CEIU 20972
• Regina Brennan PSAC
• Darrell-Lee McKenzie AGR 20043
• Kelly Megyesi CEIU 20915
• Roberta Gourlie CEIU 20915

The meeting was called to order at 12:10 p.m. with Jennifer Leenhouts in the chair.

Download the Okanagan RWC minutes September 30 2006 (pdf) or continue reading below

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Come out and support representatives from women’s groups who will be meeting with (Conservative Minister) Bev Oda. Meet at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 3rd for a demo outside of the Sheraton Wall Centre at Burrard and Nelson. Women will be calling for the reversal of the cuts to Status of Women Canada, child care, the Court Challenges Program etc. etc. and calling for the Conservative Government to support and fund a women’s equality agenda instead of attacking women’s rights.

The IWD “Strengthen Women’s Resistance” March and Rally - Vancouver - Thursday, March 8th at 5:30 p.m. Meet at the Chinatown Memorial Square (NE corner of Keefer and Columbia Streets.) Sponsored by Grassroots Women (604) 682-4451

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On February 28, 2007, Canada delivered its statement to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW), the United Nations body responsible for promoting the equality of women and girls, and monitoring the implementation of international agreements and commitments to women’s equality, including the Beijing Platform for Action.  The focus of this year’s UNCSW is the elimination of all forms of violence and discrimination against girls.

Canada’s statement to the UNCSW is our country’s report to the international community.  Canada has a history of strong leadership in advancing women’s equality on the international front, but the statement issued on Feburary 28, 2007 clearly shows we are backtracking as a country and as an international leader.

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Please join Grassroots Women for an evening of film and discussion on the theme of Women Assert Our Basic Human Rights. A discussion will follow a screening of two films portraying women who show us that rights will not be “granted” but rather must be asserted and defended when under attack.

• Thursday March 1st, 2007
• 7:00 pm Rhizome Café, 317 East Broadway

Films:

My Name is Kahentiiosta profiles a Kahnawake Mohawk woman who participated in the armed standoff at Kanehsatake, detailing her experience of and perspective on the 1990 Oka Crisis, including her subsequent arrest and detention (which was prolonged by four days because she would give only her Mohawk name). Directed by Alanis Obomsawin, 1995.

Women in Struggle is about Palestinian women who are ex-political detainees demonstrating their struggle during their years of imprisonment in Israeli jails, exploring the effects on their present life and their future outlook. The focus is on the lives of four women who came out of their regular roles as sisters, mothers, wives, and took on a different role being involved in the Palestinian national struggle for independence. Directed by Buthina Canaan Khoury, 2004.

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Representatives of the BC Coalition for Women’s Equality and Human Rights in Canada, an ad hoc coalition of women’s organizations, met with Minister Bev Oda by teleconference for one hour this afternoon. This hastily scheduled meeting was convened as a result of a demonstration and a brief occupation of the Status of Women Canada office in Vancouver yesterday.

Coalition representatives expressed disappointment with Minister Oda’s explanations and defense of the Harper Governments decisions to:

• slash $5m dollars from the SWC budget
• close 12 of 16 regional offices of SWC
• remove women’s equality from the program mandate
• make research, advocacy and lobbying ineligible for funding
• cancel the Court Challenges Program
• refuse to move forward on proactive pay equity legislation
• cancel the Pan-Canadian child-care program
• fail to move forward on its CEDAW obligations.

In the face of Oda’s defense of these decisions, the Coalition is determined to redouble its efforts to have them reversed.

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International Women’s Day 2007

Since its inception, International Women’s Day (IWD), March 8th, has been a day of revolutionary struggle for the rights and freedom of oppressed and exploited women in the context of world-wide struggle against imperialism and war. Every year since our founding in 1995, Grassroots Women has mobilized on March 8th. By doing so, we connect with the tradition of working class women who have mobilized on this day for nearly 100 years, from the garment workers of New York City at the turn of the century, to the wives, daughters, and mothers of soldiers and armament workers in Russia who helped spark the Russian Revolution, to the women of movements for national and social liberation in the Third World.

In 2007, Grassroots Women will mark IWD by holding events under the following theme:

• Strengthen Women’s Resistance
• Oppose Imperialism’s Intensifying Attacks!
• Assert Women’s Basic Human Rights!

Please join us for a march and rally on Thursday, March 8th 2007, beginning at 5:30 pm at Chinatown Memorial Square (NE corner of Keefer and Columbia) and ending with refreshments at the Grassroots Women office.

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Promise made.

“Yes, I’m ready to support women’s human rights and I agree that Canada has more to do to meet its international obligations to women’s equality. If elected, I will take concrete and immediate measures, as recommended by the United Nations, to ensure that Canada fully upholds its commitments to women in Canada.” - Stephen Harper - January 18, 2006

Promise broken.

Since coming into office, the Harper Conservatives have

• closed more than half of the Status of Women of Canada regional offices
• have changed the funding criteria for women’s groups and have removed the word “equality” from the SWC’s list of objectives
• eliminated support for equality rights test-cases (the Court Challenges Program)
• refused to adopt proactive pay equity legislation and have canceled funding to the Canada-wide child care program.

The Harper Conservative have consistently dismissed equality rights for women. They will continue unless we speak up!

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Press Conference in Honour of International Human Rights Day Friday, December 8, 2006

• 9:00 am
• SFU Harbour Centre
• 515 Hastings Street, Vancouver
• Room 1415

In honour of International Human Rights Day Women’s Groups will host a press conference for equality rights & access to governments and the courts. Join us to hear a panel of women renounce:

• cancellation of child care agreements,
• closures to SWC regional offices,
• elimination of the Court Challenges Program
• refusal to implement pro-active pay equity
• federal government’s disregard for its promised commitment to improve women’s human rights in Canada

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The B.C. Federation of Labour invites you to: National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women

• Wednesday, December 6, 2006, 7:30 am
• Women’s Breakfast
• Days Inn Hotel, 9850 King George Hwy., Surrey, BC

There is no charge for this event but those wishing to attend must RSVP to the Switchboard at the B.C. Federation of Labour - 604-430-1421.

Rally Against Violence Against Women, hosted by Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter.

• December 6th, 6:30-8 p.m.
• Vancouver Public Library - north side, 350 West Georgia.
• Info (604) 872-8212