News and Political Action

• Canada’s public servants won the first step in the battle with the federal government for damages to compensate them for the delay in paying raises and retroactive pay owed under new collective agreements. The Federal Public Service Labour Relations and Employment Board found the government breached its legal obligations when it failed to implement new contracts for 100,000 employees represented by the giant Public Service Alliance of Canada within the 150-day deadline. Robyn Benson is quoted at ipolitics.ca
   
• Since the Liberal government took power, 193,039 public servants have been affected by problems with Phoenix, according to totals provided by government departments and agencies in response to a written question from New Democrat member of Parliament Karine Trudel. The Ottawa Citizen reports on the latest numbers tabled in Parliament.
   
• 'People are anxious... and it distracts us from our jobs'. Paul Jones, national executive officer with the Union of National Defence Employees, quoted at cbc.ca and interviewed by All Points West radio in Victoria.
   
• Crystal Warner, National Vice President of CEIU, talks about Phoenix and more on the Labournauts podcast.
   
• Spending on bonuses and other performance pay for top federal government executives increased by more than double the rate of inflation in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's first year in office, CBC News has learned. Reaction from Robyn Benson at cbc.ca.

Take action, February 28

• Federal government workers need to get paid properly and on time. February 28 marks the second anniversary of the roll out of the Phoenix pay system and we'll be taking action across the province and across the country. Building on the successful mobilization work carried out by Area Councils and Locals in October and December of last year, PSAC will be holding a Day of Action on February 28 2018.
   
• We are asking members across the province to organize actions that will send a statement to the government that we are tired of waiting for Phoenix to be fixed. Read more at the regional website and RSVP at Facebook.

Government’s collective agreement delays broke the law

• The Federal Public Service Labour Relations and Employment Board has declared that the federal government has violated its obligations under the law by failing to meet the implementation deadline for the PA, SV, TC and EB collective agreements. Read the update at the national website.

• PSAC joins all those celebrating Black History Month by acknowledging the contributions of Black Canadians across the country and throughout our history. In December 1995, the federal Parliament officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada, following a motion introduced by Jean Augustine, the first Black woman elected to the House of Commons. The motion was carried unanimously. Read the PSAC statement on Black History Month.
   
• The PSAC BC Racially Visible Caucus and the Union of National Employees BC and Yukon have created a series of posters, facts, and bookmarks that celebrates Black History Month in Canada. We're posting them weekly during February - download them here.

• Canada Border Services Agency (FB): We are awaiting the PIC's recommendation. Now is the time to keep the pressure on the employer! Read the message from JP Fortin, CIU National President.
   
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency: The ratification vote period ends on February 22 and the results will be announced. If you haven't participated in an information session yet, it's not too late to vote. More information at the regional website.
   
• Parks Canada: The team is still waiting for dates from the employer. We'll keep you up to date.
   
• Canada Post: Ratification vote meetings are ongoing. The vote period ends on February 21 and we expect to announce the results shortly thereafter.
   
• Statistical Survey Operations: The team is back at the table February 13. We'll keep you up to date.
   
• Canada Revenue Agency: The team presented to the Arbitration Board on January 31 and we await their decision. Read the update at the UTE website.
   
• IMP Group, Comox: We have exchanged arbitration briefs and plan to reply to the employer's submission. Contact your Local Executive for more information.
   
• First Nations Health Authority: Bargaining dates are scheduled for February 20 - 23. Email the team if you have questions or comments and to sign up for bargaining updates.
   
• North Peace Airport - Your bargaining team has been elected and we are waiting for the employer to respond to our proposed dates in April. Contact your Local Executive for more information.
   
• Purolator - The first set of meetings with the employer have been scheduled for the end of March. We'll keep you up to date as we move forward.
   
• Prince Rupert Airport - The first set of bargaining dates are set for the week of April 9. Contact your Local Executive for more information and we'll keep you up to date.
   
• Swissport Supervisors & Admin (YVR) - We have served notice to bargain and are awaiting dates from the employer. Contact your Local Executive for more information.
   
• NAV CANADA - The team met with the employer January 29 - February 2 in Ottawa. We'll have an update for you soon.

Union Education

A trained membership is an active membership, and active members build a strong union. Sign up for a course today!

Vancouver

Talking Union Basics | Feb 17-18 | Vancouver
Local Officers Course | Mar 10 | Vancouver
ABCs of UMCs | Mar 11 | Vancouver
Grievance Handling | Apr 21-22 | Vancouver
Steward Series II | May 26-27 | Vancouver

Vancouver Island

Talking Union Basics | Feb 24-25 | Nanaimo
Local Officers Course | Mar 24 | Victoria
Duty to Accommodate | Mar 25 | Victoria

Fraser Valley

Bargaining From Strength | Feb 17-18 | Abbotsford
Grievance Handling | Mar 3-4 | Abbotsford
H&S Activism | Mar 10 | Abbotsford
H&S CLC Pt. II | Apr 7-8 | Abbotsford

North BC

Talking Union Basics | Feb 17-18 | Prince Rupert
Local Officers Course | Mar 17-18 | Prince George

Southern Interior

Grievance Handling | Apr 21-22 | Kamloops
Duty to Accommodate | Jun 2-3 | Kelowna

Meetings and Events

NorthWest Area Council AGM | February 16
North Vancouver Island Area Council AGM | February 17
Prince George Regional Women's Committee AGM | February 19
West Fraser Valley Area Council | February 19
Vancouver Regional Women's Committee | February 22
Mainland Human Rights Committee AGM | February 27
NorthEast Area Council AGM | March 12


More information about these meetings at the calendar.

Thanks for reading, <<First Name>>!

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

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