News and Political Action

PSAC in the news

• 'We still don't have clarity': Public servants voice concerns as feds plot return to work. CTV reports on the federal governments return to work plans, PSAC national president Chris Aylward is quoted.
   
• Public service union calls on pension fund to give up ownership of private nursing home chain.  The Toronto Star reports on PSAC's call on Public Sector Pension Investments to end its investment in Revera Inc. and instead put the second largest Canadian network of for-profit long-term facilities under public ownership and control.

• PSAC members stepped up to deliver the government’s massive response to COVID-19 in record time. Yet the government continues to delay talks for a new contract for nearly 140,000 federal public service workers. Tell the government to get back to the table. Now.
   
• Treasury Board & Agency members: click to send an email to Jean-Yves Duclos, President of the Treasury Board.
   
• CRA members: click to send an email to Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue.

• Chris Aylward, our national president, sent in this video for us to play during the Six O'Clock Solidarity Event organized by the PSAC Mainland Human Rights Committee a couple of weeks ago. Here's his message for the participants that night and for all members in BC.

• PSAC is working hard to make sure the federal government takes every necessary precaution to ensure that the return to federal offices and workspaces across the country is safe for employees, their families, and the general public.

• PSAC insists that the health, safety, wellness, and privacy rights of public service workers must be at the centre of the return to workplace plan and that it reflect the fact that, until a COVID-19 vaccine is created, the virus poses an ongoing threat to the physical and mental health of workers.
   
• Read PSAC's full position on the federal return to work plan.

• Are you or someone in your household at high-risk if you contract Covid-19? Do you have child or elder care obligations that you’re concerned about meeting because of Covid-19? Are you worried about how you will balance work and family? PSAC BC has scheduled a webinar on returning to work after the pandemic. In order to accommodate members' schedules, this webinar will be delivered twice: June 9 at 6PM and June 10 at 12PM. More information and registration here.
   
• Video recordings of the two webinars recently delivered by PSAC BC on practical home ergonomics and a more in-depth look at the right to refuse dangerous work are now available for viewing.

• PSAC-UNDE and other affiliates, Federal Government Dockyard Trades and Labour Council (West), and the Department National Defence have won the Naden Band Spirit of Excellence Award, presented by the Greater Victoria United Way to a group because their United Way campaign is an example for everybody to follow. This award is presented for significant long-term achievement in all categories.

• Anti-Black racism: It's everyone's fight. Once again, a spotlight has been put on systemic anti-Black racism in the justice system – one that has oppressed Black, racialized, and Indigenous people for centuries. Read PSAC's statement at the national website.
   
• June is Pride Month and marks the beginning of the Pride season: a time for LGBTQ2+ folks to celebrate, but also a time for activism. Although there won’t be big parades or festivities this year, let's all take the time to celebrate gender and sexual diversity, while continuing to fight for LGBTQ2+ rights. Read the message from Nia Gillies, PSAC BC Regional Council Pride Coordinator.

• The PSAC Scholarship Program offers 14 scholarships for dependent children of current PSAC members and 5 scholarships to current PSAC members who will be attending full-time studies at a recognized post-secondary institution in the fall of 2020. The application deadline is Friday, June 26th, 2020.

• Canada Revenue Agency / Treasury Board (PA, TC, SV & EB) / Parks Canada: Here are the latest bargaining updates for Treasury Board, Canada Revenue Agency, and Parks Canada.
   
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency: The Public Interest Commission conciliation hearing was held via video conference on May 7-8 after being delayed due to the pandemic. The parties made presentations on a set of outstanding CFIA-specific issues that had been agreed to with the Commission prior to the hearing. Read the submissions both sides made to the PIC here.
   
• Canada Border Services Agency (FB): During bargaining via teleconference May 12-14, our PSAC/CIU bargaining team made it clear that it is time the government addresses core workplace issues we’ve raised in negotiations concerning excessive discipline in CBSA workplaces, and crucial scheduling issues.

• Statistical Survey Operations: Watch for more information as the process moves forward.
   
• Canada Post Corporation: Our successful tentative agreement reached on April 14 with the Canada Post Corporation group has been ratified by the membership.
   
• CHMC Granville Island: The bargaining team is meeting with CMHC this week, watch for an update.
   
• IMP Comox: The arbitration hearing scheduled in conjunction with the unit in Gander for early May has been postponed. Watch for updates.
   
• First Nations Health Authority: The bargaining team has been elected and meetings with the employer are being scheduled. Contact your Local Executive for more information.
   
• Victoria Airport: Negotiations are ongoing, for more information contact your local executive.
   
• BWXT Isotope Technologies: Notice to bargain has been served and dates are being scheduled, contact your Local Executive for more information.
   
• ARINC: PSAC has served notice to bargain and the process is underway, contact your Local for more information.

Union Education

Education Subsidies: While the COVID-19 pandemic has halted our face to face education for the time being, the PSAC BC Education Program wanted to ensure that members who are seeking educational opportunities have access to some support in the coming months. The Education program is offering four $250.00 subsidies to support members participation in non-PSAC education courses. More information here.

Take care and stay safe out there,

Patrick Bragg
PSAC Vancouver Regional Office
604 430 5631 | 1 800 663 1655