News and Political Action

• On the last pay day before Christmas, supporters and federal public service workers affected by the troubled Phoenix pay system rallied in Vancouver. CBC reported on our rally at Harbour Centre here's the text at cbc.ca and the video clip at Facebook.
   
• Frustrated federal workers rally against Phoenix payroll system at B.C. MP’s office. Kristy Havard, USJE Regional VP, is quoted in the Surrey Now-Leader.
   
• Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers rallying near the Douglas Crossing Thursday morning said officers are getting “tired of the lack of respect that is shown to us from the employer. Rick Savage, CIU Fourth National VP, is quoted in the Peace Arch News.
   
• Nearly one in every two federal public servants on Vancouver Island receives their pay through the Phoenix system, which has been riddled with problems since it's implementation in 2016. CHEK TV in Victoria reported on the ongoing issues with Phoenix and talked to REVP Jamey Mills and members on Vancouver Island who are affected. Here's the clip.
   
• CTV news in Ottawa dedicated a significant portion of their evening newscast on December 14 to examine, in-depth, the pay problems still facing government workers. Robyn Benson & Debi Daviau, presidents of the two largest unions in the federal government, were both interviewed. Here's the clip at Facebook.
   
• There’s a new wrinkle in the federal government’s Phoenix pay crisis: growing demands from Canada’s public servants for damages to compensate them for nearly two years of pay errors. “The government has an obligation to pay its employees and, if not, they have to make them whole.” Robyn Benson is quoted at iPolitics.ca.
   
• "Employees simply don't trust the (pay) system." Chris Aylward is quoted in a CBC report on the new measures the government has implemented with regards to overpayments.

• The employer has informed PSAC that if you have received an overpayment, and your pay is administered by the pay centre in Miramichi, you must contact the call centre to report the overpayment. If employees report their overpayment by January 19, 2018 the government will only recover the net pay. PSAC will continue to push for a full exemption from repaying the gross pay for all employees who received an overpayment due to Phoenix. Read more at the national website.
   
• Members are reminded that Treasury Board provides compensation for penalties, interest charges and other fees incurred due to pay problems. If you experienced a pay problem after your department or agency started using the Phoenix pay system, and you have incurred expenses because of incomplete or inaccurate pay, you should submit a claim. For more information visit the Phoenix FAQ at the PSAC national website.

• Are you 35 years of age or younger?
• Do you think young workers are underrepresented in the Public Service Alliance of Canada?
• Do you want to do something about inequality? Are you concerned with the rising cost of housing?
• Is Childcare an important issue for you? How about a $15.00 minimum wage?
• Are you concerned with job security and precarious work?
• Get involved with a Young Worker Committee and have your voice heard!
   
• Read more at the regional website.

• In a recent report to Parliament, the House of Commons Finance Committee has told the federal government not to privatize Canada’s airports. “UCTE-PSAC is pleased with the committee’s recommendations. It is thanks to our members who have actively been involved in making a difference,” said Dave Clark, National President of UCTE. Read more, including the Finance Committee report, at the national website.

• Members in Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and Prince Rupert took action on Phoenix in December, calling on the government to take the measures necessary to ensure workers are paid correctly and on time. Check out the photos.
   
• Also in December, members of the Customs and Immigration Union and the Public Service Alliance of Canada demonstrated at the Peace Arch border crossing in support of ongoing bargaining efforts toward a new collective agreement for members of the FB group. Some photos at the regional website.

• In Victoria, members of local First Nations, PSAC, and BCGEU, along with Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada, and the Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia all gathered at a Sacred Water Ceremony on December 10, International Human Rights Day, to raise awareness about the lack of safe drinking water in First Nations communities and to remind the Liberal government of their pledge to end boil-water advisories on First Nations reserves within the next five years. Here are some photos.

• PSAC members, along with the New Westminster & District Labour Council and the Kwantlen Students Association, organized a candlelight vigil at Holland Park on December 6th, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Here are some photos.

• Canada Border Services Agency (FB): With the Public Interest Commission mediation attempt having failed in October, our FB bargaining team proceeded to hearings in November at the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Employment Board. Read the written submissions to the PIC at the national website.
   
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency: We have achieved a tentative agreement with CFIA and are holding 2 in-person and 2 on-line webinar meetings for members in B.C. The schedule and more information at the regional website.
   
• Parks Canada: Wrapping up 2017 and looking ahead to 2018, read the latest bargaining update at psacunion.ca.
   
• Canada Post: We have achieved a tentative agreement with Canada Post. Here is the ratification vote meeting schedule for BC.
   
• Statistical Survey Operations: Our bargaining team returned to the negotiating table for three days during the week of December 12. We are all eager to reach a new collective agreement, and our bargaining team is working hard to negotiate improvements. Read the update at psacunion.ca.
   
• Canada Revenue Agency: Arbitration is scheduled for January 31 and preparations continue for the negotiation of the next collective agreement. Read more at psacunion.ca.
   
• IMP Group, Comox: The arbitration process is still ongoing. However, the employer is continuing to drag their feet, despite the serious problems in the workplace that need to be addressed. The bargaining team is pushing back.
   
• First Nations Health Authority: Bargaining dates are scheduled for the end of February. Email the team if you have questions or comments and to sign up for bargaining updates.
   
• North Peace Airport - We have served the employer with notice to bargain, but do not have dates yet. Contact your Local Executive for more information.
   
• Purolator - The first set of meetings with the employer are still in the process of being scheduled. We hope to be at the table in January or early February.
   
• Prince Rupert Airport - The input call for bargaining demands has gone out. Contact your Local Executive for more information.
   
• Swissport Supervisors & Admin (YVR) - The input call for bargaining demands has gone out. Contact your Local Executive for more information.
   
• NAV CANADA -  Negotiations with the employer took place during the week of December 12 - 15, 2017 and another round is scheduled for the end of January. Read the update at the national website.

Union Education

Here's the winter/spring 2018 course schedule.

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 | Jan 27-28 | Victoria
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

Victoria Area Council meeting - January 10
Mainland & Haida Gwaii Young Workers Committee AGM - January 10
West Fraser Valley Area Council AGM - January 15
Vancouver Regional Women's Committee AGM - January 17
Okanagan Area Council AGM - January 27
Okanagan Human Rights Committee meeting - January 27
North Vancouver Island Area Council AGM - January 27
BRUSH (Health & Safety) Committee meeting - January 31
Victoria Regional Womens Committee AGM - January 31

More information about these meetings at the calendar.

Thanks for reading, <<First Name>>! Happy New Year!

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

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