PSAC BC Regional Newsletter for February 2014
Jump to: News and Political Action | Education | Meetings and Events
News and Political Action
PSAC in the news
- Robyn Benson, PSAC National President, talks to Rick Gibbons on CFRA Radio in Ottawa about the ongoing negotiations with the federal government, sick leave, the upcoming election, and year ahead for federal public sector workers - audio at soundcloud.com
PSAC BC has endorsed the Fight for $15 Campaign - An increase to the minimum wage will help reduce poverty and inequality in our province - one of the richest in Canada - and will have a positive impact on the economy. Read more at the website and visit fightfor15bc.ca to get involved in your community.
Bargaining Solidarity! PSAC members across BC are organizing bargaining solidarity events - standing together for healthy workplaces and protesting proposed government changes to sick leave and cuts to public services. Some photos at the regional website. Visit us on facebook for lots more.
Video: We keep Canadians safe - As Canadians, when we go to work every day, ride the train, fly in a plane, or enjoy our natural environment, how do we know we are safe and secure? Check it out at youtube.com
Tools for Stewards and Local Activists
- PSAC produces a wide variety of toolkits, booklets and resource guides for activists and Locals. We have collected them at the website as a resource for members. Have a look!
Bargaining
- Treasury Board - The teams were at the table in mid-January, where all 5 were seeking significant improvements to the mental health provisions in the collective agreements as well as improved child care options for public service workers. We're back with the employer at the end of March.
- Canada Revenue Agency - The Team is at the table with CRA this week. Watch for an update soon via email.
- Parks - we are back at the table February 24-26th. Updates to follow.
- SSO - Federal Court ruled against us and upheld the employer's position concerning the seniority-based proposals that were in dispute. We will be discussing next steps with our legal counsel and are preparing for the next round of bargaining.
- CFIA - PSAC members at CFIA gathered in Ottawa from January 26-28, 2015 for our National Bargaining Conference and are ready to stand strong in negotiations.
Union Education
Weekend Course Schedule
Vancouver
Talking Union Basics - February 22,23
Understanding & Interpreting the Collective Agreement - March 7
Grievance Handling - April 18,19
Duty To Accommodate - May 23
Abbotsford
Understanding & Interpreting the Collective Agreement - February 28
Public Speaking - March 1
Grievance Handling - April 18,19
Vancouver Island
Health & Safety Activism - Victoria - February 21,22
Understanding & Interpreting the Collective Agreement - Nanaimo - February 28
Grievance Handling - Victoria - March 14,15
Northern BC
Creating Respectful Workplaces - Prince George - April 11,12
Talking Union Basics - Prince Rupert - May 23
Understanding & Interpreting the Collective Agreement - Prince Rupert - May 24
Southern BC
Health & Safety Activism - Kelowna - April 18,19
More information on all these courses and online registration at the regional website.
Meetings and Events
February is Black History Month - The PSAC BC Racially Visible Caucus and the Union of National Employees BC and Yukon invite you to Celebrate Black History Month with a series of posters, facts, and bookmarks that commemorate our heritage. We're posting them on a weekly basis throughout February at the regional website. Here are the first three, watch that link for the rest - coming soon!
Canadian Labour Congress Election Preparation Workshops - PSAC members who want to get involved in the upcoming federal election should check out two workshops, in Nanaimo March 6/7 and in Vancouver March 13/14. Register for one of these free skills-building workshops and help ensure that retirement security, good jobs, child care and health care are priorities in the next federal election.
Regularly Scheduled Meetings
Mainland Human Rights Committee meeting - Feb 3
Victoria Regional Womens Committee meeting - Feb 4
Fraser Valley Area Council AGM - Feb 11
Northeast Area Council meeting - Feb 19
PSAC Racially Visible Caucus meeting - Feb 21
Vancouver Area Council meeting - Feb 25
Vancouver Island Young Workers AGM - Feb 25
More information on all of these events at the calendar.
Kung Hei Fat Choi! Happy Lunar New Year *|FNAME|*!
Patrick Bragg
PSAC Vancouver Regional Office
604 430 5631 | 1 800 663 1655
psacbc.com | facebook.com/psacbc | twitter.com/psacbc
Do you have news or know of an event that may be of interest to PSAC members? Got feedback on the newsletter? Just want to say hi? Email PSAC!
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