CFIA

Media coverage of the recent meat recall at XL Foods Inc. in Brooks, Alberta has focused primarily on public food safety. Justifiably so, considering that the meat processed by XL Foods is shipped to more than a dozen countries. But little has been said or heard about the invisible, voiceless workers — many of whom are temporary and foreign — toiling behind the walls of the plant.

PSAC members are mourning the loss of a colleague, friend and brother, with the passing of Brother Howard Willems Thursday afternoon.Howard worked as an inspector with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for more than 30 years before retiring in early 2012. His involvement with PSAC spanned decades and included co-charing Local and Regional Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Committees, and sitting on CFIA’s National OHS Policy Committee.

Yesterday the government crammed through Bill C-45, incorporating hundreds of pages of major legislative changes that Canadians have not been consulted on. This government knows it would lose public support if each of these initiatives were opened up to public scrutiny and debate.

*** To: PSAC Activists in BCAs you know, National Public Services Week is taking place June 10th – 16th, under the theme “Celebrating our Commitment!”

Bargaining continues to be difficult for the Technical Services (TC), Border Services (FB), Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Parks Canada units of the federal government. The climate has worsened considerably since the federal budget, which slashes the size of the public service. Parks and CFIA in particular have been heavily targeted for job reductions.

** To: PSAC Locals and Activists in BC - please forward widely ** I know that this week has been a difficult one for many PSAC members as many of us, and perhaps yourself included, received Work Force Adjustment affected letters. I want to let you know that PSAC is continuing our fight back campaign against these cuts. 

VANCOUVER, April 11, 2012 /CNW/ - The Public Service Alliance  of Canada, the largest federal public sector union in the country, says that over 5,000 federal public service workers in 23 Government Departments received notices today saying they could lose their jobs.

In conjunction with the Canadian Labour Congress and the BC Federation of Labour, PSAC BC held a budget watch and press conference on March 29th.REVP Bob Jackson and BC Fed President Jim Sinclair comment on the federal budget in the two clips below ...Wrong Choices, Wrong TimeThis is a budget for Bay Street

After months of mixed messages and secrecy, today’s federal budget confirms that this government’s austerity agenda will leave Canadians without services they need, put tens of thousands out of work, put the environment and health and safety at risk and shrink the economy.Economists estimate this budget will cost tens of thousands of public and private sector jobs but provides very little information on where and how cuts will be implemented.

 In conjunction with the Canadian Labour Congress, PSAC BC will be holding a budget watch and press conference in Vancouver. All members in Vancouver are invited to join us, if they are able.What: A coordinated PSAC, Labour, and Community response to the budget.