News and Political Action

• The Phoenix pay system continues to make news.
  • As the federal government shaped its plan to modernize the public service payroll system, CBC News has learned that the former Conservative government took training duties away from IBM — the company that created the Phoenix program. Chris Aylward is quoted at cbc.ca.
  • More than half of the tens of thousands of federal workers who filed claims over payroll issues before June are still waiting for their problems to be resolved, according to the deputy minister in charge of fixing the Phoenix payroll system. More at cbc.ca.
     
• "In September, Did the Liberals Out-Harper the Conservatives?" REVP Bob Jackson is quoted in the Tyee, in the context of our current round of bargaining.
   
• After a week at the bargaining table, the head of the Public Service Alliance of Canada says union negotiators are frustrated and disappointed with the Liberal government - Robyn Benson on the same topic, at cbc.ca
   
• The Liberal government is promising new pay-equity legislation that will put the onus on employers in federally regulated industries to ensure men and women are paid equally for work of equal value. Robyn Benson is quoted in the Ottawa Citizen.

• The frequently asked questions page at the national website has been updated.
   
• The committee tasked to deal with Phoenix-related compensation, co-chaired by PSAC National President Robyn Benson and the Secretary of the Treasury Board, met in September to discuss optimizing the compensation process, and the right to grieve inaccurate and/or untimely pay. More at the national website.

• It’s that time of year again: summer has turned to fall and the 2016 Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC) has just launched. The GCWCC is the largest workplace charitable campaign in Canada. It is also one of the most successful, thanks to the generosity of members who work in the federal public service. Read the letter from Bob Jackson at the regional website.

• PSAC members from across the province gathered in Vancouver over the weekend at our 2016 Regional Women's Conference. A brief report and some photos at the PSAC BC Facebook page.

Tools for members

• We've just launched a new online and screen-friendly version of Our Union Voice, PSAC's newsletter for members. 180,000 PSAC members will be receiving a copy in the mail next week - in the meantime you can read the new online version at the national website.
   
• PSAC BC has also started posting .pdf copies of the PSAC weekly email newsletter at the website. Download a copy and post one on your union bulletin board today! The latest issues are at the top.

• We still have tickets left for 2 games! PSAC BC, along with the BC Federation of Labour and many of its affiliates, help sponsor the BC Lions Be More Than A Bystander campaign. As a thank you for our sponsorship agreement, the BC Lions have provided us with a number of tickets to upcoming games which we are making available to members in a draw. More info and the entry form.

• Treasury Board: When PSAC returned to the bargaining table with Treasury Board in mid-September, we expected to hear the Liberal agenda. Instead, this government continued to push the Conservative agenda in negotiations. Read the full update, with links to the updates for individual units, at the national website.
  • If your Local or worksite would like to set up an in-person meeting with a bargaining team member, contact your nearest TB mobilization coordinator or regional office.
• CRA:  The CRA ratification vote process has ended in BC, but continues across Canada. The results are scheduled to be announced October 13. We'll keep you up to date.
• CFIA: The CFIA team at the table this week, watch for an update early next week.
• Parks: The next round of Parks negotiations is scheduled for October 24-27. We'll keep you up to date.
• Canada Post: We are preparing for the upcoming round of bargaining. Watch for updates at the national website.
• IMP Group, Comox: We are still awaiting a response from the employer, your Local Executive will have more information when it becomes available.
• Commissionaires, Vancouver Island: Due to an issue with the employer bargaining has been pushed back to the Fall.

Union Education

Upcoming courses in BC ...

Fraser Valley

• Local Officers Course, Abbotsford, Oct 29 & 30

Metro Vancouver

• Local Officers Course, Vancouver, Oct 29 & 30
• Talking Union Basics, Vancouver, Nov 19 & 20

Southern Interior

• Talking Union Basics, Kamloops, Oct 22 & 23

North BC

• Stewards Series Tier I, Prince Rupert, Oct 15 & 16
• Stewards Series Tier II, Prince George, Nov 5 & 6

Vancouver Island

• Talking Union Basics, Victoria, Oct 29 & 30
• Grievance Handling, Victoria, Dec 3 & 4

Meetings and Events



The PSAC BC Regional Council is holding a meeting in Victoria next month and we thought this would provide an excellent opportunity for PSAC members in the area to get together, network, and celebrate PSAC’s 50th Anniversary, October 14 in Victoria. Details and RSVP here.

The PSAC Okanagan Area Council is hosting a Forum on Migrant Workers and Human Rights, October 15 in Kelowna. Some great speakers are lined up and everyone is welcome! Details here.

The Vancouver Area Council invites all members in the Lower Mainland to a BBQ and Social, October 19. Join us to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the hard work done by PSAC activists to “Stop Harper” and take back our Canada! Details here.

Regularly Scheduled Meetings

Thanks for reading <<First Name>>, and Happy Thanksgiving!

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

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