Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Vote for better aid

Hundreds of thousands of Canadians support the Make Poverty History call for “more and better aid”. It means more aid spending for the world’s poor but better spending too - more focused, more effective. Now there is a chance to make sure that Members of Parliament (MPs) vote for not just more aid but better aid.

On September 19th and 20th MPs in the House of Commons will debate and vote on legislation (Bill C-293) to ensure Canada’s aid spending will go exclusively for poverty reduction and the promotion of human rights along with humanitarian assistance. It’s a great idea for a law that will make sure aid is not mis-spent and will go to beat global poverty.

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Update: Aug 22^nd - A mediator has been appointed and the strike averted. Details at cbc.ca.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is poised for strike action in their struggle to achieve a first collective agreement for unionized workers conducting perimeter security at YVR, the employer is Securiguard Services Ltd. There may be labour disruptions as early as tomorrow.

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On Thursday, June 22nd at 7:00pm, stars of the international Hip-Hop scene will perform at the Global Hip-Hop Mainstage, a FREE concert celebrating Hip-Hop culture’s massive worldwide appeal and important contribution to positive urban development.

Happening at Earth: The World Urban Festival site tomorrow as part of the youth events for the World Urban Forum, the Global Hip-Hop Mainstage will feature dynamic Hip-Hop and world music artists from Africa, Asia, Europe and Canada’s Indigenous communities.

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Thanks to all of the PSAC members who visited our PSAC table at the National Public Services Week tradeshow in Downtown Vancouver last Thursday!

Sam Wiese, one of the Metro Vancouver Regional Council members (left) and Monica Urrutia, Regional Representative (below, right), staffed the PSAC table which focused on connecting with the members by ensuring good communication.

If you stopped by you were probably asked if you had received the “Our Union Voice” – the new national publication for the PSAC. In recent weeks we mailed copies directly to members’ homes, so if you haven’t received it please update your address with us.

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As part of the World Peace Forum in Vancouver from June 23 to June 28, the Vancouver and District Labour Council will be hosting a Labour Peace Forum on June 25 and 26.

The Vancouver & District Labour Council is sending up to 10 delegates to the Labour Peace Forum - there are a few seats left.

If you are interested in attending, please contact the VDLC office as soon as possible so that they may register you. By email: office@vdlc.ca or by phone: 604-254-0703.

The World Peace Forum and the Labour Peace Forum will be an important opportunity for the international labour movement to meet to discuss and debate our collective position on the issues of war and peace and the effects on working families. Visit vdlc.ca for more information.

Join the PSAC BC Youth Caucus for a barbeque!

• July 21st, 2006 6 PM - Rain or shine, event is sheltered
• Trout Lake / John Hendry Park - By the concession stand - here’s a map.

• Food, Games & Prizes!
• Children & Spouses welcome!

RSVP Today! To RSVP or for additional information about this event or the Youth Caucus, email Jamey Mills or phone 604-298-6004. Please let us know if you have any specific dietary needs.

On the morning of May 27, 2006, at 05.54 AM local time (at 03.54 PM Pacific Time on May 26, 2006), a powerful earthquake shook the Special Province of Yogyakarta, inhabited by 2.6 million people, located in the central part of Java Island, Indonesia. The epicenter of the earthquake, registered 6.3 on the Richter scale, is 15 miles from Yogyakarta, the capital of the Special Province of Yogyakarta. Fatalities based on the latest official report were approximately 5,136 people, mostly the residents of the Bantul Regency, in the Southern part of Yogyakarta (population more than 770.000).

In light of this recent earthquake in Indonesia, the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society (explorASIAN Festival) will turn its two free concert events at the explorINDONESIAN Batik and Arts Exhibition at the Roundhouse Community Centre into benefit concerts for earthquake relief. Admission to both concerts will be by donation and all proceeds will go to the Canadian Red Cross. We invite the Lower Mainland community to attend the exhibition and the two concerts and make a donation.

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Here is the upcoming education and meeting schedule for June …

For the full schedules, visit the education page or the calendar pages. Apply online for these courses.

In 2005, 188 workers were killed on the job in BC including 12 young workers.

The B.C. Federation of Labour, the Vancouver & District Labour Council and the New Westminster & District Labour Council invite you to pay tribute to workers killed and injured on the job.

Friday, April 28 2006

• 7:45 am - Gather at the Vancouver Art Gallery
• 8:00 am - Procession to Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre
• 8:45 am - Day of Mourning Ceremony - VCEC - 999 Canada Place

For more information, visit the BCFL website for a listing of Day of Mourning events around the province.

Via Email: Sisters and Brothers,
 
UFCW 1518 is asking for our help in a battle they’re facing with Overwaitea Food Group (OFG.)

Please Don’t Shop at PriceSmart!

We’re the employees of Save-On Foods. We’re the mothers, the fathers, the students, the ordinary people who work at Save-On Foods stores and live in the community.

Our employers, the Overwaitea Food Group (Jim Pattison Group company) changed the Whalley Save-On Foods store at 10312 King George to a PriceSmart store.

In doing so, Overwaitea is taking away our job security and threatening our futures, and they are violating our contract to do it.

This isn’t fair, nor is it right.

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Understanding & Interpreting the Collective Agreement (UICA)

This course explores key provisions in members’ collective agreements and introduces an easy four-step framework for interpreting the contract. We will practice applying the four-step interpretation method and examine cases providing examples of “aids to interpretation”. Using a number of case studies from adjudication / arbitration decisions (e.g., sick leave; operational requirements; other leave with or without pay; acting pay; discharge), we also will practice applying the collective agreement to actual workplace situations. Working with actual cases enhances your ability to problem solve through analysis and discussion.The course will “demystify” the collective agreement and provide you with the necessary skills and tools for on-going, self-directed learning. NOTE: please bring your collective agreement to this course.

Register online for this course.

We will be doing a Labour Blitz using the Canadian Labour Congress - B.C. Federation of Labour Better Choice-Count Me In Leaflet on the following dates/times and locations. Candidates who are affected and who may wish to participate have been contacted.

• Wednesday January 18 7 - 8:30 am Metrotown Sky Train
• Thursday January 19 7 - 8:30 am Surrey - Scott Road Sky Train
• Thursday January 19 7 - 8:30 am Surrey - Surrey Central Sky Train
• Thursday January 19 7 - 8:30 am Surrey - King George Sky Train

If you are in the vicinity, stop by and say hello to the BCFed volunteers and the candidates.

The 2006 Education Schedule for the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island has been finalized. Courses for the North and Interior of BC will be posted soon.

Visit the Education page for details or head straight to the course sign up page