Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

June was a busy month around the province! Here are some photos and a video of some of the activities PSAC members participated in.

Under the theme “Step In to Something That Moves You” PSAC women activists, old and new, joined together at the 2010 BC Regional Women’s Conference in Vancouver. They heard from guest speakers and held discussions and workshops on a variety of topics including childcare, women and pensions, pay equity, work-life balance, violence against women, lobbying and political action/campaign work, and debated resolutions to be sent to the PSAC National Women’s Conference. Huge thanks to Virginia Vaillancourt for putting together a most excellent video!

In Victoria, PSAC staff and members from the South Island marched in the 2010 Pride Parade under the theme “Gay Rights are Human Rights” and hosted a booth at the festival held at MacDonald Park.

• Read the PSAC Pride Statement at the national website.

In Cumberland, a delegation of PSAC members from the Campbell River and District Area Council attended the Miners Memorial Day Weekend, where they laid a wreath to commemorate the miners who worked and lost their lives in the mines of Cumberland and other workplaces throughout BC.

Meanwhile, back on the mainland, PSAC BC hosted a Think Public! booth at the Surrey Canada Day festivities. Staff and members met with the fair goers and spoke with them about the value of strong, quality, public services and public pensions.

“Read more” for the photos and video …

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The 2010 PSAC National Women’s Conference will be held October 22 to 24 in Ottawa under the theme “Fighting back, moving forward”.

The Conference objectives:

• develop our analysis of the impact of federal government policies and cutbacks on women’s equality and human rights
• understand the importance of quality public services for women as workers and members of society
• increase PSAC sisters’ involvement in the campaigns for federal pay equity, childcare, pensions and the defense of quality public services, as well as our involvement in coalitions working to defend and advance equality rights
• build women’s political capacity and activism in the union, the community and beyond and develop action plans that are effective and easy to implement

For more information and online registration, visit the national website. Note the deadline for resolutions & applications is June 4th 2010.

The application and resolutions deadline for the BC Regional Women’s Conference has been extended to May 6th.

The 2010 BC Regional Women’s Conference will take place June 11th – 13th at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Vancouver. The theme of the conference is “Step In To a Place That Moves You”.

The objectives of conference are:

• To play a key role in sustaining PSAC campaigns on the issues of pay equity and child care.
• To coordinate activities and campaigns with other PSAC bodies and with partners such as the BC Federation of Labour, District Labour Councils, other women’s organizations.
• To build representative regional women’s committees.

There will be stimulating presentations and discussions on a variety of topics of interest to women including childcare, women and pensions, pay equity, work-life balance, violence against women, lobbying and political action/campaign work.

All PSAC women members in good standing can apply to be delegates to this Conference. The selection of delegates will take into account union activism and the following criteria will also be considered: region of the province, Component, and equity representation.

To improve access for women with family care responsibilities the PSAC has a family care allowance policy.

Registration

• Apply on-line here
• Download and mail or fax the registration back to the Vancouver RO
• Please ensure completed applications, whether submitted online, by mail, or by fax, are received in the Vancouver Regional Office by the deadline of May 6th.

Resoutions

Resolutions may be submitted by PSAC-constitutionally recognized bodies (eg. RWC’s, Human Rights Committees, and Locals) prior to the deadline of May 6th. Please note the steering committee is limiting the number of resolutions from each body to two.

The 2010 BC Regional Women’s Conference will take place June 11th – 13th at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Vancouver. The theme of the conference is “Step In To a Place That Moves You”.

The objectives of conference are:

• To play a key role in sustaining PSAC campaigns on the issues of pay equity and child care.
• To coordinate activities and campaigns with other PSAC bodies and with partners such as the BC Federation of Labour, District Labour Councils, other women’s organizations.
• To build representative regional women’s committees.

There will be stimulating presentations and discussions on a variety of topics of interest to women including childcare, women and pensions, pay equity, work-life balance, violence against women, lobbying and political action/campaign work.

All PSAC women members in good standing can apply to be delegates to this Conference. The selection of delegates will take into account union activism and the following criteria will also be considered: region of the province, Component, and equity representation.

To improve access for women with family care responsibilities the PSAC has a family care allowance policy.

Registration

• Apply on-line here
• Download and mail or fax the registration back to the Vancouver RO
• Please ensure completed applications, whether submitted online, by mail, or by fax, are received in the Vancouver Regional Office by the deadline of May 6th.

Resoutions

Resolutions may be submitted by PSAC-constitutionally recognized bodies (eg. RWC’s, Human Rights Committees, and Locals) prior to the deadline of May 6th. Please note the steering committee is limiting the number of resolutions from each body to two.

The 2010 PSAC National Access Conference will be held June 4,5,6 in Ottawa under the theme “Let’s focus on our abilities!”

The objectives of the 2010 PSAC National Access Conference are:

• To strategize on ways to promote more inclusive work environments that ensure barriers are removed for people with disabilities
• To empower and engage persons with disabilities to take action and move disabilities rights forward, including through lobbying
• To provide tools that educate and advocate for disability rights in our communities, our workplaces and our union
• To better connect and to include persons with disabilities in our communities, our workplaces and our union
• To defend quality public services for persons with disabilities

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The deadline for applications to attend the PSAC Pride Conference, be held March 26 to 28, 2010 in Toronto is January 20th. For more information, and online application, visit the national website.

2009 PSAC NATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY CONFERENCE

�WORKPLACE ALLIANCES FOR HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS�

- REGULATE � AGITATE � ENFORCE -

• REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Friday, August 21, 2009
• RESOLUTIONS SUBMISSION DEADLINE : Friday, September 18, 2009
• CONFERENCE DATES: November 20 to 22, 2009
• CONFERENCE LOCATION: Sheraton Hotel, Montreal, Quebec

Download the Conference Call Out and registration package.

CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the 2009 PSAC National Health and Safety Conference are to:

• Examine the current state of enforcement of health and safety legislation in order to develop union-based strategies that will better protect workers.
• Strengthen the ability, knowledge and effectiveness of all PSAC activists on union and joint health and safety committees to better mobilize members around workplace issues.
• Increase the involvement of health, safety and environmental activists in the �Think Public� campaign and to join with coalitions working to defend and advance our rights.
• Better identify harassment and discuss what makes harassment a health and safety issue and propose specific preventive measures and responses that unions can take to prevent and deal with harassment at work.
• Make the connections between �The Environment� and health and safety, and propose actions that Locals and health and safety activists can do about �The Environment� in their workplaces and communities.

The conference application deadline approaches …

On behalf of the BC Regional H&S Organizing Committee I am pleased to inform you of the upcoming 2009 BC PSAC Regional Triennial Health and Safety Conference. We would like to encourage members active in Health and Safety and members who share an interest in Health and Safety issues to attend.

We hope to have 55 participants representing all areas of the region and all aspects of our union. I am sending you this application form to be completed by members wishing to attend the 2009 H&S Conference.

• Download the Conference Application form (.doc)
• Download the Conference Application form (.pdf)

Please note that a registration fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) is required from all conference participants.

If Locals have difficulties sending members because of financial constraints, please contact the PSAC Victoria Regional Office as we may be able to assist you.

The theme of this years conference, �Participation And Workplace Prevention� is intended to be of interest to those who wish to contribute to improving Health and Safety in their workplaces.

In Solidarity, James Little, Regional Representative Health and Safety

This is a call out for interest with a deadline of midnight, Sunday, October 12th. Visit the CLC website for more information about the conference.

The PSAC Alliance Executive Committee has approved funding for one member per Region to attend this Conference. This opportunity is open to PSAC members who identify as a person with a disability.

The Conference will focus on doing more to build the voice of activists with disabilities and allies, on doing more to build the political agenda, and doing more to shatter the barriers which prevent persons with disabilities from getting employment, keeping it, and thriving at the workplace. Conference participants will discuss work strategies and access to information, transportation, and income and service supports. Participants will look at emerging issues and approaches at the workplace, share breakthroughs, and leave with a plan to shatter barriers and move forward.

The member selected must commit to:

• writing a report for an article on the Conference for distribution to PSAC members
• making a presentation to PSAC B.C. Human Rights Committees or other PSAC body
• organizing one follow-up activity involving PSAC disability rights activists

To be eligible to apply you should support disability and human rights issues, be a member of the PSAC, and self-identify as a person with a disability.

Please send your interest in attending the Conference to Kay Sinclair in the B.C. REVP’s office at sinclak@psac.com or by fax to (604) 430-0194 by midnight Sunday, October 12th with a paragraph of 400 words or less describing your perspectives with respect to disability and human rights, any involvement in PSAC disability/human rights activities, any involvement in community disability activities, and why you are interested in attending. Please also indicate whether you are a member of another equity group, i.e. woman; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender; aboriginal; or racially visible. (This is optional.)

Please provide your contact information and membership number.

In Solidarity, Kay Sinclair, Regional Executive Vice-President, BC

The 2009 BC Regional Health & Safety Conference has been tentatively scheduled for February 28-March 1, 2009 at the Hilton Metrotown in Burnaby.

We are currently seeking members who are willing to play a leading role in the organization of the 2009 H&S Conference. The organizing team will work closely with James Little and myself and will be expected to provide their services up to and during the conference.

If you wish to join us on the organizing committee please review the following for instructions on our criteria and application process.

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Re: Waves of Resistance – Pan-Canadian Gathering of Young Feminists in Montr�al, October 11-13, 2008 – www.rebelles2008.org

The PSAC Alliance Executive Committee has approved funding for one young woman member per Region to attend this Conference. To be eligible to apply you should support feminist and equality issues, be a member of the PSAC, and be 30 years of age or younger.

This Gathering will unite young women and young feminists who wish to:

• Share analysis of feminist issues and take action
• Consider priorities as young feminists
• Combine efforts
• Discuss how to resist and to fight against right-winged influences
• Create links of solidarity and reinforce the movement of young feminists across Canada.

This is an opportunity for young women from PSAC to engage in the overall young feminist movement.

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Women Behaving Politically: Organizing for Change.

The Western Regional 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). The Western Regional SIUW brings together union women from BC, Washington State, Oregon and California.

Our theme, Women Behaving Politically: Organizing for Change, reflects labour’s commitment to providing women with both the skills and strategies to understand the key issues for labour and how that understanding can help us participate in the upcoming elections, and develop stronger leadership among women within our unions and political institutions. We need the world to hear more women’s voices speaking out on issues that matter to us like: pay equity, a higher minimum wage, universal childcare, health care, the economy, poverty and the right to join a union.

Read more, and download a brochure and registration form at bcfed.ca.

PSAC National Aboriginal Peoples’ Conference – “Maawangiteeng”: Where The Journey Begins.

Conference Objectives

The objectives of our 2008 PSAC National Aboriginal Peoples’ Conference are to:

• Connect with our Aboriginal Brothers and Sisters
• Educate and build capacity within Aboriginal communities and the Union
• Politicize Aboriginal Rights around the eradication of poverty (clean water, housing, education), for quality public service and a clean environment
• Raise awareness of the Union’s role in advancing Aboriginal Peoples’ Rights in the workplace, community and society as a whole

Delegates

A PSAC member who is a member in good standing and who self-identifies as Aboriginal can apply to be a delegate to this Conference. The selection of delegates will take into account union and equality rights activism, as well as representation criteria (i.e., Region, Component, language and other equity group representation such as gender, disability, etc.).

Delegates will be selected by their respective Regions and Components. The delegates will be entitled to full voice and vote during the conference, including the resolutions and elections processes.

Funding for Delegates:

Delegate costs to the 2008 PSAC National Aboriginal Peoples’ Conference will be fully covered as per the 2003 PSAC Triennial Convention decision and PSAC Travel Directive. Costs covered are as follows:

• travel costs, including ground transportation;
• hotel accommodation costs at the Winnipeg Fairmont Hotel;
• loss of salary;
• per diem for meals;
• incidental costs;
• child care as per the Family Care Policy;
• costs related to accessibility requirements.

Observers

PSAC members who are members in good standing and who self-identify as Aboriginal may also attend the 2008 PSAC National Aboriginal Peoples’ Conference as observers; however, observers will be responsible for all costs associated with their participation, including:

• loss of salary and meals;
• hotel and travel arrangements and costs;
• the conference registration fee of $150.00;
• any additional accessibility needs and childcare arrangements (subject to meeting deadline requirements).

Please note that the number of Observers will be limited to the space available at the Conference. They will have voice only during the discussion period after panel presentations. They can attend the sharing circles, if space permits, but may not be able to select the topic. Observers do not have the right to voice or vote during the resolutions debate and elections processes.

For more information and online registration, visit the Conference & Convention section of the PSAC national website or download the attached package (pdf).

Rights, Not Wrongs: The role of unions in creating a better world

A joint conference for human rights activists in the labour movement sponsored by the BC Federation of Labour and the BC Teachers’ Federation. The conference will focus on emerging human rights issues, featuring leading BC human rights specialists in First Nations, peace, anti-poverty, women’s rights, antiracism, international issues and many more.

• Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
• April 3-5 2008
• Keynote Speaker: Stephen Lewis, Friday April 4th @ 7:30PM

Organized by the BCTF Committee for Action on Social Justice and the BC Federation of Labour Human Rights Commitee. For more information, visit www.bctf.ca or www.bcfed.ca. Download the Rights not Wrongs poster (pdf).

This is a reminder that the deadline date for PSAC racially visible members to apply to attend the upcoming 2008 PSAC National Conference for Racially Visible members either as a delegate or an observer is next Wednesday, January 16th, 2008 at 4 p.m. (Ottawa time). The deadline to receive resolutions for this conference is also January 16th, 2008 at 4 p.m. (Ottawa time).

Be The Change: Create A Better World!

The objectives of our 2008 PSAC National Conference for Racially Visible Members are to:

• Educate, politicize and mobilize racialized members by making links between the union, the workplace, the community and equality rights.
• Create and/or strengthen networks within our union and our communities.
• Enhance and support leadership development of racialized members in our union, workplace and beyond.
• Develop an analysis on what is racism, the impact of racism and how to fight against racism.

For more information visit the national website or go directly to the online application form.

OTTAWA – Women members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) from across Canada are meeting in Toronto from November 23 to 25 to strategize and hone their political skills.

The setting is the union’s triennial national women’s conference where several hundred delegates will attend workshops and debate resolutions under the theme Public Services…Pave the way to equality.

Recent federal government policies and cutbacks have had a negative impact on women’s equality and human rights. PSAC women are working to build the union’s political capacity and to develop action plans to defend and advance equality rights.

A keynote panel discussion on the state of women’s equality will feature three activist women who are no strangers to the continuing struggle for women’s rights. Michèle Asselin, the President of the Fédération des femmes du Québec (FFQ), was instrumental in the recent development of a Protocol of Solidarity between the FFQ and the Femmes autochtones du Québec.

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Dear friends,

Once again we are offering our retreat over the Remembrance Day weekend, amid the 400 acres of the North Vancouver Outdoor School and the returning Chum salmon. This is a precious opportunity for reflection and renewal. For cost reasons, it is likely the last time we will offer the retreat in this very special location, so if you have been thinking of coming this is the year! – For the earth, Jackie Larkin

Reconnecting To Life – 6th Annual Residential Retreat
Friday, November 9- Monday, November 12, 2007
Squamish, British Columbia (about 1 1/2 hours north of Vancouver)
with Jackie Larkin and Maggie Ziegler

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The registration deadline for 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! is September 10th

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.

For more information, visit the national website or go directly to the Conference registration form.

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.

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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.