PSAC Organizing Program, Members Making a Difference
PSAC is an organizing union. Since the Union’s National Triennial Convention in 2000 an organizing budget has been assigned and an Organizer has been hired in each of the regions. The mandate of the Organizing Program is:
- to recruit new members into the Union;
- to recertify members whose work has devolved from the federal government or transferred to another employer;
- to counter any raids on members by other unions.
Expanding our membership, building our strength
PSAC membership peaked at 180,000 in the 1980s. Since then it has dipped to a low of 135,000 in the 1990s and has rebounded to 160,000. Much of the growth in recent years is attributed to new member organizing. It is through this expansion that PSAC is able to maintain its bargaining power. More unionized workers benefit the economy; bring diversity to our Union; and extend the fight for social justice.
Member support and participation
Organizing new groups of workers is challenging. It cannot be done by the Regional Organizer alone. In fact it is members who play crucial roles in successful organizing, by:
- identifying groups of workers that would benefit from PSAC representation
- becoming trained as member organizers to assist on campaigns
- acting as ambassadors for the union to unorganized workers
Building organizing capacity in British Columbia
Organizing is a challenge in this Province under the current government. In the face of adversity, unions have always stood their ground. By working together we can bring union protection to more workers.
The rewards of participating in an organizing campaign are many. If you:
- know of a workplace that might benefit from PSAC representation;
- are interested in becoming a member organizer;
- would like more information about PSAC British Columbia’s organizing program
Please contact me at your convenience.
Dave Thompson, PSAC Organizer, email: organize@psacbc.com, phone: 604-430-5631×223 or 1-800-663-1655.
What role do PSAC Member Organizers play?
There are many tasks that need to be undertaken for an organizing campaign to be successful. The PSAC Organizer and the Organizing Committee will assign tasks to interested employees of the group that is being organized or PSAC Member Organizers who are assisting in the campaign.
The types of tasks involved include: leafleting, making telephone calls, database entry, assisting with membership application card signing, staffing information tables, assisting in event coordination, playing a role in representation votes, or any other task that the individual may be suited to.
Who is eligible to become a PSAC Member Organizer?
Any PSAC member who has an interest in seeing non-unionized workers benefit from union representation can play a role in an organizing campaign. Member Organizers are able to legitimately share what it means to be in a union. If an interest is expressed, normally you would be plugged into upcoming organizing training or asked to help out in a campaign.
What type of person makes the best Member Organizer?
Everyone has something to bring to an organizing campaign. Those who are outgoing and gregarious make excellent union membership card signers; those with a stronger administrative capacity are good membership list managers; those with a creative bent develop interesting communication tools and campaign events. While there is no “ideal” type, it should be noted that Member Organizers should have good interpersonal skills and be able to deal with difficult people.
One thing that is very important is an ability to access leave from your workplace should you be called upon to assist in a campaign. Because organizing is focused and intense, it is also advisable that you be free from other commitments during the time that you are asked to participate.
What does PSAC Member Organizer training involve?
PSAC Organizers will train members in their respective regions on an as-needed basis. The training involves giving the participants the necessary information to be able to: respond to the basic questions about the process; understand how campaigns are coordinated; understand the roles of the various players; and know what not to do.
Sometimes members will be trained by being immersed in a campaign and learn as they go. Other times they will be given the opportunity to participate in a larger organizer training forum, such as those offered by the federations of Labour.