News and Political Action

PSAC in the news

• In a section of the throne speech dedicated to addressing systemic racism, the federal government committed to implementing an action plan “to increase representation” in public service hiring, appointments and leadership development. Response from PSAC national president, Chris Aylward, in the Ottawa Citizen.

• A majority of PSAC members in the PA, TC, EB, and Canada Revenue Agency bargaining units have voted in favour of their respective tentative agreements.
   
• Members in the SV group have until October 5 to vote on their new contract while those in the Parks and CFIA units will vote between October 5 and November 4.
   
• Members in the Border Services unit are still in talks.

• The writs have been issued for British Columbia’s 42nd Provincial General Election. Elections BC's main focus is ensuring a safe and accessible voting process during the pandemic. Find out more, including where and when to vote and how to request a mail-in ballot.

• The PSAC BC Regional Convention has been rescheduled for May 7-9, 2021. Consequently, all Regional Council terms have been extended by one year with the Regional Executive Vice President and B.C. Regional Council members continuing in their respective roles until that time. The REVP and Regional Council members elected at the 2021 PSAC B.C. Regional Convention will then hold office for two years until the next PSAC B.C. Regional Convention, which will take place in 2023.
   
• A revised call out letter will be issued shortly. For more information, visit the regional website.

• BC is at a crossroads and we have a choice to make. Bouncing back must be more than just recovery. This is our chance to create a future for all in BC – learn more about the plan and join the campaign: www.futureforall.ca

• Kwantlen Polytechnic University recently published an online, open access eBook called Making Sense of a Global Pandemic: Relationship Violence & Working Together Towards a Violence Free Society. The lead author is KPU instructor and nurse Balbir Gurm and some photos were taken by a PSAC member. The book can be freely accessed here.

• Treasury Board: The PA, TC, and EB groups have ratified their tentative agreements. The SV ratification vote period ends on October 5, watch for the results next week.
   
• Canada Revenue Agency: Members working at CRA have ratified their new collective agreement.
   
• Parks Canada: The Parks bargaining team has reached a tentative agreement with the employer, and PSAC members will now have the opportunity to vote on their new collective agreement. PSAC has organized ratification votes between October 5 to November 4 to allow members working at Parks Canada to cast your ballot. Click for the schedule for members in BC and more information.
   
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency: The CFIA bargaining team has reached a tentative agreement with the Agency, and PSAC members will now have the opportunity to vote on their new collective agreement. PSAC has organized ratification votes between October 5 to November 4 to allow members working at CFIA to cast your ballot. Click for the schedule for members in BC and more information.
   
• Canada Border Services Agency (FB): The FB bargaining team addressed a number of economic proposals with the employer during bargaining the week of September 21. Here's an update.

• Statistical Survey Operations: The team is in place and waiting for the employer to assign a negotiator. Watch for more information as the process moves forward.
   
• CHMC Granville Island: Bargaining is ongoing, contact your Local Executive for more information.
   
• 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 for the fall. Contact your Local Executive for more information.
   
• BWXT Isotope Technologies: Bargaining is ongoing, contact your Local Executive for more information.
   
• Nav Canada: The NavCan bargaining conference took place this week. Watch for an update.
   

Union Education

PSAC's education team is working towards re-booting the union education program to comply with public health guidelines and internal policy around the pandemic. Watch for more info to come.
 

Take care and stay safe out there,

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