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Area Councils

PSAC Area Councils are made up of members from different Locals and Components, grouped within regional areas.

At their core, Area Councils are the forum for all PSAC Locals in a community to share information and learn from each other’s experiences. PSAC is a very diverse union, with many different employers in many different sectors. Sharing best practices and ideas helps members and locals become better at effective workplace advocacy.

Oftentimes a problem that one workplace is experiencing has also been experienced - and solved - in other PSAC worksites.

The COVID -19 pandemic is one recent example. Members across the entire PSAC in each Council area were able to share best practices, strategies, and solutions with each other.

Together we are stronger and speak with a louder voice when talking to our employers.

Area Councils are also the political arm of our Union – they provide a venue for members to engage with and mobilize around various PSAC campaigns, political action, broader union or social justice issues, and lobby government on behalf of our union. They also provide input on and work on PSAC’s municipal, provincial and federal election campaigns and talk to members and the public about the importance of voting for candidates that support working people.

The Area Council membership decides by consensus what issues are important to PSAC members in their area, and what issues need to be brought forward or worked on. And they also organize events, some where members come together to network, and some designed to be a visible union presence at community events, which helps raise awareness of our union. These events are a great way meet fellow union and community members and are often times a lot of fun.

Area Councils also work with organizations in the larger community and other labour groups, like other local unions and the Canadian Labour Congress’ District Labour Council.

PSAC members support other union's campaigns and their picket lines, and they support ours, because at the end of the day, together we are stronger.

Last but not least, Area Councils send delegates and resolutions to the PSAC Regional and National Conventions. This is an excellent way of bringing important local or community issues forward to the larger body.

To do all this work, Area Councils need to have at least four meetings a year where members attend from various Locals and have member participation throughout the year – as much or as little as members are able to commit. Every bit helps.

There are currently 8 Area Councils in BC. They are located in Vancouver, Surrey/Delta/Langley (West Fraser Valley AC), the Fraser Valley, the Okanagan, North Vancouver Island, Victoria, Northwest BC (Prince Rupert / Terrace), and Northeast BC (Prince George and area). To get involved with an Area Council, check the calendar on the main page for upcoming meetings, contact the Chairpersons/Presidents at the link below, or call your Regional Office.

PSAC BC Area Council contact information, bylaws, and minutes. December 2020

July 23, 2020 - 1:14pm •
The Vancouver and District Labour Council and New Westminster and District Labour Council will be jointly hosting a virtual Labour Day celebration this year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in keeping with recommendations from health authorities and government, we have cancelled our plans for an in-person event. But we are very excited to announce we will be holding a joint online event for affiliated unions, delegates, and members on September 7.
April 23, 2020 - 9:00am •
At their general meeting on April 22 2020, the PSAC Vancouver Area Council discussed and passed the following Solidarity Statement on Wet’suwet’en.
November 21, 2019 - 1:34pm •
On December 6 labour leaders, union members and community will gather at 6:00pm in Holland Park in Surrey to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women and the 30th anniversary of the December 6 massacre of fourteen students at École Polytechnique in Montreal.
September 10, 2019 - 1:15pm •
In 1991, the Supreme Court confirmed that federal public service workers have a constitutional right to engage in political activity. Before that, the Public Service Employment Act did not allow these workers to take part in any political activities except casting their vote.
August 20, 2019 - 11:47am •
One of the hallmarks of a healthy democracy is the ability of citizens to participate freely and actively in determining who they elect to govern and make decisions on their behalf. However until 1988, the Public Service Employment Act did not allow federal public sector workers to take part in political activities beyond simply casting their vote. In 1991 the Supreme Court of Canada upheld a Federal Court decision that struck down these restrictions and confirmed that restrictions on political activities should not apply to the vast majority of federal workers.
May 31, 2019 - 8:51am •
Are you a federal government worker affected by the ongoing Phoenix fiasco? Help us to keep raising awareness and keep the pressure on the government to provide a fair damages settlement. We want to hear your story so we can share it with the public, politicians, and other members.
April 30, 2019 - 9:06am •
Don't see the embedded video above? Here it is at Facebook.

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