PSAC BC Regional Newsletter for September 2020
Jump to: News and Political Action | Education | Meetings and Events
News and Political Action
PSAC in the news
- Federal government return to work: “Our members, from what I’m hearing, are still largely in the dark about what a return to the office might look like and when that might happen, so we’re disappointed that plans for return to office have been left up to department heads.” PSAC national president, Chris Aylward, is quoted in the Hill Times. (.pdf link)
Treasury Board and CRA tentative agreements and ratification information
Social Justice Fund: Stories from Education-In-Action
- In early March of 2020, PSAC young workers travelled to the Highlands of Guatemala to take part on the 13th Education-In-Action delegation, an annual project led by PSAC’s Social Justice Fund in collaboration with the solidarity organization Education In Action. Now that our delegation is back, our members are sharing their five stories from the frontlines of Guatemala.
Labour Day
- Canada has weathered the pandemic better than the United States because we all worked together. Now we need to keep sticking together and disaster-proof Canada for the future. On Labour Day, the Canadian Labour Congress and Canada's unions will be launching an ambitious campaign for a progressive recovery. Be a part of it.
Benefits for members
- PSAC BC has partnered with Baka Communications to provide a limited time special offer for PSAC members on talk, text and data plans from Bell. More information in the poster here or at baka.ca.
Nominate a deserving PSAC member for a PSAC BC Regional Recognition Award
- The PSAC BC Recognition Awards are presented to members who have provided exemplary service or have been role models and mentors for our members. The objective is to recognize PSAC members in British Columbia for their commitment to the labour movement and to work that benefits PSAC members or their community.
- Members may be nominated by their own Local, an Area Council or a nationally or regionally recognized Committee, or a member of the Regional Council. More information and the nomination form at the regional website.
Bargaining Updates
- Treasury Board: The PA, TC, EB and SV groups have now reached tentative agreements with Treasury Board, and PSAC members have the opportunity to vote on their new collective agreements. PSAC has organized ratification votes between August 24 and September 21 in BC to allow you to cast your ballot.
- Canada Revenue Agency: Members working at CRA have now reached tentative agreements with the Agency, and PSAC members have the opportunity to vote on their new collective agreements. PSAC has organized ratification votes to allow you to cast your ballot.
- Parks Canada: As of today (September 3) the Parks Canada bargaining team is still at the table with the Agency. Watch for more information to come.
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency: The CFIA bargaining team reached a tentative agreement with the employer earlier this week. Read the update at the national website and watch for the full ratification kit and more information as we move forward with ratification votes.
- Canada Border Services Agency (FB): Last month, Treasury Board announced that its negotiator for the FB group is leaving. After our bargaining team demanded an update, we were notified that a replacement has been hired. We’ve proposed dates in September to resume negotiations. We are ready to get back the table and get CBSA moving on workplace issues that need to be addressed. Watch for updates.
- 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: The Granville Island bargaining team is scheduled to meet with the employer in mid-September, 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 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 will take place September 29 and 30 virtually. More information here.
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.
Meetings and Events
Solidarity Saturday #5
Join PSAC members and friends from across the province for an evening of music and Solidarity at a fun Zoom event hosted by our Okanagan Area Council.
Following up the success of the Solidarity Saturday nights held through the spring and summer, the Okanagan Area Council is hosting a post-Labour Day Solidarity Saturday event at 6PM on September 19, 2020. DJ Lea will spin some tunes - Canadian bands only! - and we'll also show some short videos highlighting Labour Day.
RSVP / register here at Zoom, and you'll get a confirmation email containing information about how to join the party. See you there!
Regularly Scheduled Meetings
These meetings will all take place via Video/Audio Conference call.
North Vancouver Island Area Council | Sep 5
NorthEast Regional Women's Committee | Sep 8
Vancouver Area Council | Sep 9
Vancouver Island Young Worker's Committee | Sep 10
East Fraser Valley Area Council | Sep 15
Mainland Human Rights Committee | Sep 16
Mainland Haida Gwaii Young Worker's Committee | Sep 22
NorthEast Regional Women's Committee | Oct 13
More information about all these events & more at the calendar.
What are all these committees? Visit the website for more information about PSAC BC's Area Councils, Health & Safety, Human Rights, Regional Women's, and Young Worker's Committees and to find out how you can get involved.
Take care and stay safe out there,
Patrick Bragg
PSAC Vancouver Regional Office
604 430 5631 | 1 800 663 1655
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