Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

UCTE Local 20221 (YVR) Strike Vote Meeting

• August 19, 2009, 14:30 & 19:00 hours
• IAM & AW Union Hall, 7980 River Road, Richmond

Bargaining Update

Your negotiating team met with your employer for two (2) days of meetings with the assistance of a federal conciliation officer. We presented the employer with a comprehensive response on all of the outstanding issues. Your negotiating team made substantial movement on a majority of our previous proposal package which we felt established the framework for a new collective agreement.

(more…)

The Public Service Alliance of Canada will be asking members at Canada Post Corporation to vote on the employer’s final offer. The PSAC and Canada Post returned to the bargaining table last night and bargained until this morning when the employer tabled its final offer.

PSAC members, who have been on strike since Nov. 17, voted last week to reject the employer’s previous offer which proposed to replace employee sick leave and family-related leave with a short-term disability program.

The PSAC negotiating team believes that the Corporation’s mandate is firm and that further improvements will not be forthcoming. This latest final offer contains some improvements to the short-term disability plan.

The collective agreement between UPCE/PSAC and Canada Post expired on August 31, 2008, and negotiations began on June 4, 2008.

OTTAWA – Canada Post is misleading employees and the public about a ratification vote on the corporation’s last offer, according to the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC). The union maintains that Canada Post made false allegations about the vote in a message posted to employees on the corporation’s website yesterday.

“Canada Post’s complaint is completely without merit and nothing but a shameful abuse of the taxpayer-funded processes of the Canada Industrial Relations Board,” says John Gordon, National President of PSAC, representing the 2,100 administrative and technical employees who have been on strike for 29 days. “More than two out of every three workers who voted rejected the employer’s last offer. Our members came out in droves to send their employer a message that they won’t back down until their sick leave and family-related leave is protected.”

(more…)

OTTAWA – Striking Canada Post workers overwhelmingly rejected their employer’s last offer in votes held across the country Saturday and Sunday.

More than two thirds voted against a Canada Post offer that would have replaced the workers’ sick leave and family-related leave with a new short-term disability system proposed by the corporation.

Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) National President, John Gordon, says the vote sends a clear message to Canada Post chief executive officer Moya Greene, her board and management team.

“In at least two letters to the Union and at the bargaining table, Canada Post management insisted that we present this offer to the members” Gordon said. “We did and the members have overwhelmingly rejected it as we knew they would.”

(more…)

OTTAWA – Contradictory messages from Canada Post make for difficult negotiations at the bargaining table, according to the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) the union representing more than 2,100 employees currently on strike against Canada Post.

“Canada Post says publicly that they don’t want to reduce the employees’ sick leave while they send emails rejoicing at the possibility of cutting sick leave in half,” said John Gordon, the PSAC National President.

Gordon was referring to a letter to the Ottawa Citizen signed by Mary Traversy, CPC Senior Vice-President Operations and Human Resources on November 26, 2008. In the letter she says:

“It (a newspaper article) wrongly declared that Canada Post wants to “roll back sick leave and eventually phase it out. The idea that we would seek to eliminate sick leave flies in the face of our history.”

This statement contradicts an email sent by Mary Traversy on November 28, 2008 to her senior management team at Canada Post. In the email, Traversy writes: “The change we are trying to make with psac (sic) could be the biggest driver of improvement we have ever seen at CPC. Imagine cutting sick leave in half!”

(more…)

Thanks to your work on the picket lines we are going back to the bargaining table.

The mediator has called both Canada Post and your bargaining team back to negotiate. Bargaining will resume by the weekend.

Support your team at the table by maintaining your picket lines.

• Keep doing what you are doing
• Be visible
• Keep Canada Post guessing
• Keep picketing
• Keep calling and writing letters to your MPs

Stay in touch with your picket captain. You will receive updates as soon as they are available.

Together we will win a fair collective agreement.

Union picketing starts Friday after Commissionaires BC locks out security workers responsible for guarding dangerous prisoners at Immigration and Refugee Board, Vancouver International Airport for Canada Border Service Agency over “blue jeans” one-day protest

VANCOUVER – Unionized security guards will begin picketing federal offices Friday morning after Commissionaires BC locked out workers who guard and escort dangerous prisoners at Vancouver International Airport and the downtown Vancouver Immigration & Refugee Board facilities.

The lockout came after 40 Commissionaires BC security guards wore blue jeans to work as a one-day protest against failure of their employer to negotiate a first contract that addressed the guards’ safety concerns, says Dave Thompson, representative of the workers’ union, the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

“Commissionaires BC is acting outrageously by locking out security guards with years of experience who provide safety for the public because they wore jeans to work after trying to negotiate a contract for months without any progress,” Thompson said.

(more…)

Vancouver – In order to mark their third week of job action members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) on strike at Canada Post will be moving picket locations to various Canada Post worksites in the Lower Mainland. Striking workers will provide handouts and information to fellow workers at Canada Post thereby slowing the mail as it is being delivered to letter carriers and the public.

2200 members of the Union of Postal Communications Employees (UPCE), a component of the PSAC, have been on strike across Canada since November 17th in protest against proposed changes to their sick leave and family-related leave benefits.

• What: On-going job action against Canada Post, disruption of mail delivery
• Who: Striking members of PSAC/UPCE
• When: Thursday, December 4, beginning at 6AM
• Where: Vancouver, Postal Station D, Broadway at Pine; Richmond, Delivery Centre, River Road; Port Coquitlam Postal Depot

In Victoria this week it has been business as usual on the picket lines, members are continuing to slow down the trucks and one point management watching the picket line outnumbered the picketers! Media coverage has been great – click to read an article on the front page of the Times Colonist. After receiving an injunction barring them from impeding vehicles or workers at their usual location, members switched up their tactics a couple of times to keep Canada Post off guard. They are very appreciative of the support they have received from CUPW, other PSAC Locals and members, and other groups.

In Vancouver, members also switched tactics, picketing as usual in the morning, then moving to outlying areas in the afternoon. The theme of the week was “Union Solidarity” – UPCE members were joined on the line by Jim Sinclair, President of the BC Fed, members of the Telecommunications Workers Union (Telus) and other unions, and as always, members of CUPW. They also received a letter of support from the Teaching Support Staff Union (SFU) and members of the federal NDP caucus.

On Thursday, delegates to the BC Federation of Labour Convention, which is taking place in Vancouver, unanimously passed a resolution calling upon Canada Post to negotiate a fair and just collective agreement and calling on the federal government to keep our postal service universal and public. Several UPCE members were in the media section while the resolution was debated (it did not require much debate) and received a standing ovation from the delegates.

Convention delegates then marched to Library Square where they joined the striking workers, PSAC members from surrounding workplaces, and other supporters in Solidarity. Approximately 350 people listened to speeches and messages of support from UPCE Local President Sharon Tieman, CUPW member Ken Mooney, REVP BC Kay Sinclair, Bill Saunders, President of the Vancouver & District Labour Council, and Jim Sinclair, President of the BC Fed. There were several local media outlets covering the event.

Read on for some photos from Vancouver and a video from Victoria …

(more…)

Vancouver – Striking workers at Canada Post and their supporters are holding a rally between 12 and 1 PM today at Library Square in downtown Vancouver. The rally will mark their second week of job action and call for Canada Post to drop concession bargaining demands.

Approximately 125 PSAC members in Vancouver began strike action on November 17th to protest against Canada Post’s attempts to take away sick leave and family-related leave from this predominantly female group.

(more…)

Source: The Ottawa Citizen, November 26, page A1

A day after the Public Service Alliance of Canada announced a new federal contract that reflects the tough economic times, the union is giving no ground at Canada Post, where 2,100 of its members are on strike over sick leave.

Under a deal proposed by Canada Post, union members would get a new contract that includes a 10.5-per-cent wage increase over four years. But the workers walked out last week over a contentious proposal by Canada Post to roll back sick leave and eventually phase it out.

The union says Canada Post is trying to claw back health gains enshrined in previous agreements and members would not stand for it.

At a news conference yesterday, PSAC president John Gordon vowed the union will not be bullied into making concessions that, in the end, will give insurance companies the final say on the health of its members.

(more…)

Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada working at Canada Post are on strike to protect their hard-earned sick leaves and family related leave. They voted 88% in favour of strike action because they don’t want the new short term disability system that Canada Post is trying to impose on its employees.

The 100 members in Vancouver have been out on strike since Nov 17th with no immediate return to the table scheduled. In anticipation of a second week of picketing, the group is planning a noon hour rally to show Canada Post that their support and resolve is strong! Please come out and show your support and solidarity.

• When: Thursday November 27, 2008
• Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
• Where: Library Square, Vancouver Library, Georgia & Homer
• Contact: Garry Fraser 604-317-4979

Thank you for your Solidarity and Support! “The longer the line, the shorter the strike!”

In Victoria traffic was slower and Local Presidents Ian Wiggs (UNDE 21008) and Pete Wills (UEW 20076) brought financial donations to the UPCE 20104 strike fund.

In Vancouver members set up pickets early this morning and spirits were high. CUPW showed support and solidarity by taking their daily walk around the block at coffee – they were greeted with donuts. 13 Canada Post managers spent most of the day standing around doing nothing, staffing the doors and REVP Jeannie Baldwin visited the line and brought a message of solidarity from the Atlantic region.

1. When will we go on strike? The union can legally serve the 72 hour strike notice midnight November 4. So the earliest possible strike date is November 7. You will be advised by your strike picket captain.

2. Can the parties still negotiate between now and then? The parties can negotiate any time between now and then. The parties can also negotiate once the notice has been given and a strike begins. The union’s bargaining team has been clear that they are available any time to negotiate a fair deal. .

3. What about my benefits? PSAC will pay your benefit premiums during a strike or lockout to ensure there is no interruption in coverage.

4. How much is strike pay? Strike pay is governed by Regulation 6 and is $50.00 per day after 3 days on strike in a rotating or general strike situation. It is retroactive to the first day. Strike pay is non-taxable. If strategic strike action is taken then 65% of your salary will be paid.

5. What kind of strike action will we take? That’s a strategic issue that will be decided by the National Strike Co-ordinating Committee. The decision will be based on what will be most effective in achieving a collective agreement. The committee will consider the potential impact on the employer and the membership.

(more…)

Ottawa—Canada Post management is bringing a group of its employees to the brink of a strike by trying to impose a new Short-term Disability System that was clearly rejected by almost 9 out of 10 of those employees. The workers are represented by the Union of Postal Communications Employees (UPCE), a component of the 160,000 member Public Service Alliance of Canada

“Canada Post recently signed collective agreements with other larger groups of employees and never imposed this ludicrous Short-term Disability System on them,” said John Gordon, PSAC National President. “Why is Canada Post trying to impose it on a smaller group of PSAC members? “He added.

UPCE-PSAC members recently voted 88% in favour of strike action against Canada Post. It was the strongest strike mandate in their union’s history. The national strike vote took place at membership meetings between October 1 and October 17, 2008.

Canada Post also tabled a meagre wage increase offer of 2.25% per year for each year of a four-year contract. The union maintains that 3% per year for a three-year contract is in line with other settlements that Canada Post has recently negotiated with other unions.

Gordon indicated that the negotiations have broken off, but that the union is ready to return to the bargaining table at any time if Canada Post decides to truly engage in meaningful bargaining.

(more…)

MONTREAL — Canada Post employees demonstrated in Montreal on Monday in a show of protest against their employer’s latest contract offer. The workers are members of the Union of Postal Communications Employees (UPCE) — a component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).

“The employer’s last offer is an insult. We have no choice but to take a strike vote and to move our members towards strike action,” says Richard Des Lauriers, UPCE National President. Des Lauriers was speaking at the demonstration in front of Canada Post’s Montreal plant.

The protest comes in response to a “take it or leave it” offer tabled by Canada Post on August 21. Des Lauriers characterizes the employer’s behaviour as “completely unacceptable” and warned that his members will not be bullied into accepting concessions.

“We are determined to get the best possible deal for our members,” says Des Lauriers, reminding the members that they can count on support from the labour movement and from their fellow workers at Canada Post.

(more…)

via Vancouver & District Labour Council

CUPE Locals 15, 391, and 1004: Our sisters and brothers on the picket lines need our support!

Bring your union placards or get one from the VDLC and let them know that we are behind them and stand with them. Help is needed 24 hours a day at City Hall, Vancouver Public Library Main Branch (Georgia), and the Works Yards (National, Evans, and Manitoba). Your presence at all picket sites would be appreciated – all community centres, parks, and public library locations. Click for a list of CUPE picket sites (pdf).

Please visit www.fairnessforcivicworkers.ca for updates and information and contacts for specific information.

United Steelworkers in the lumber and forestry sector as well CUPE members from Locals 1005 and 15 (Vancouver) and Local 389 (North Vancouver) are currently on strike, and CUPE Local 391 (Vancouver Public Library) has issued strike notice. Major Issues include wages, classification adjustments, pay equity, job security, and whistle blower protection. Although job actions are not expected to directly impact PSAC worksites, there may be situations where PSAC members encounter a picket line.

If you encounter a picket line:

• the BC Federation of Labour has a strict picket line policy that obliges all union members in BC to honour picket lines.
• the PSAC has a picket line policy (No.21) that also urges members to honour picket lines.
• if you encounter a picket line, speak to the strikers and/or picket captains and ask for direction from them.
• contact your union representative for direction and contact the Regional Office of the PSAC.
• call your supervisor to let him/her know that there is a picket line
• if you choose to cross the picket line, ask for a management escort across the line
• if it seems unsafe, do not attempt to cross the line, let your supervisor know that you feel your safety is in jeopardy.
• bolster picket lines before/after work and during breaks
• it would be appreciated if you would provide coffee, snacks and moral support to striking workers
• unfortunately, most PSAC members do not have picket line protection in their collective agreements, or in legislation, and therefore are obliged to report to work.

Please contact the Vancouver RO if you have any questions, and check back here for updates.

• More info: CUPE BC
• More info: CUPE Local 15
• More info: BC Coast forestry strike.

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

I am writing to you today to ask for support for a group of PSAC members that have been locked out by their employer since October 23, 2006.

These twenty two workers, members of UNW Local 6 in Hay River, Northwest Territories, work at “Nats’ejee K’eh”, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre. Their contract has expired three and a half years ago and they have been without a salary increase for over four years. It was with great reluctance that they eventually served notice of strike action, but their employer instead of returning to the bargaining table chose to lock them out and transport the clients who were in treatment at the facility to a non-unionised treatment centre in Alberta.

The employer’s latest offer includes monetary roll-backs, entire control on lay-offs and the right to dismiss anyone at any time without cause, complete unilateral control over hours of work, gutting the union rights and activities and doing away with parental leave.

|inline

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.

|inline