News and Political Action

• The cost to fix the federal government's troubled Phoenix pay system has risen above the original amount spent to implement it. Robyn Benson, national president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, said more staffing will help, but more needs to be done. More at cbc.ca.
   
• Chris Aylward, PSAC National Vice President, was on CTV news with reaction to the government's announcement that $142 million has been set aside to fix Phoenix. Here's the clip at our Facebook page.
   
• Union leaders are discouraged by the rising proportion of temp jobs in the public service. Robyn Benson's reaction to a recent report that shows growth in the core public service, but that fewer people are employed on a permanent basis. Read the article at hilltimes.com.
   
• Border agency seeks additional $200 million to help with immigration, border security. Jean-Pierre Fortin, President of the Customs and Immigration Union, calls on the government to restore the more than 1,000 jobs lost at CBSA under the Conservatives. Story at globalnews.ca
   
• Sinking the Coast Guard’s B.C. divers could spark protests, union warns - Dave Clark, Union of Canadian Transportation Employees RVP, is quoted at metronews.ca

• The government’s National Public Service Week will be held from June 11-17, 2017. Federal public service workers are proudly committed to providing the services Canadians depend on. Yet thousands are still having financial troubles because they are not being paid correctly or on time. This year, let’s use National Public Service Week to send a message: tell the government to FIX PHOENIX ONCE AND FOR ALL! Find out how you can get involved.
   
• Have you been burnt by Phoenix? Help us raise awareness! PSAC BC members will be at community events throughout the summer talking to people about Phoenix and other issues. We need your stories so we can let the public know about the direct impact of Phoenix on federal government workers and our ability to deliver the services Canadians depend on. Tell us your story so we can share it with the public, politicians, and other members.

• At a time when good pensions are slipping further and further out of reach, shouldn’t the government and employers be building back retirement security for hard working Canadians? Join us in standing up against attempts by employers and the federal government to strip workers of secure pensions. Watch the video above and find out more at pensions.psacunion.ca

• PSAC BC welcomes the agreement reached this week by the leaders of the BC NDP and BC Green Party to form a new, progressive, provincial government. Both parties made strong commitments to addressing inequality, strengthening public services, taking action on climate, and implementing electoral and campaign finance reform. We also congratulate two new members of the BC Legislature who come from the PSAC family (pictured above). Read more at the regional website.

• The REVP's Report to Regional Convention, Delegate Guide and Coordinator Reports are now available at the Convention documents and resources page. Regional Convention takes place June 16, 17, and 18 in Vancouver.

• PA, TC, SV and EB: PSAC has been pushing the government to sign four collective agreements by the end of May, but the employer is insisting they won’t be ready until mid-June at the earliest. The employer has had months to prepare the draft agreements. Members have waited long enough! More at the national website.
• FB (CBSA): Canada Border Services Agency recently announced a planned change to its part-time policy. PSAC-CIU has made clear that it is opposed to such changes. More at the national website.
• CFIA: The employer has postponed scheduled bargaining meetings for the third time. Your team is tentatively scheduled to be at the table this month and we will keep you up to date.
• Parks: Our bargaining team met with the Agency on May 2, 3 and 4, here's the update. The team is back at the table July 11-13. Watch for an update.
• Canada Post: Our bargaining team met with the employer May 16 and 17. There's an update at the national website.
• SSO: Our bargaining team met with SSO during the week of May 1 and now it's time to support them in the workplace. Read the bargaining update and contact your local representatives.
• CRA: The bargaining team was unable to reach an agreement on the wage re-opener. More information here.
• Granville Island: The bargaining team met to discuss strategy and will have an initial meeting with the employer soon, contact your Local Executive for more information.
• IMP Comox: The team is meeting this month, in advance of arbitration. Contact your Local Executive for more information.
• First Nations Health Authority - The bargaining team has been elected and input from members received: we look forward to beginning our second round of bargaining with FNHA.
• Commissionaires -  Our team has had 2 rounds with the employer. Visit the website for an update or contact your Local Executive for more information.
• ARINC - The team is meeting soon to discuss strategy. Contact your Local Executive for updates.

Union Education

Our Spring Education schedule is now complete. Watch for the Fall schedule coming soon.

Rally for Respect, June 16. PSAC members and allies will gather in Vancouver and other communities during National Public Service Week to tell the government to fix the Phoenix pay system and bargain fairly with our units who don't have a contract yet. Join us downtown on June 16th! Details here and RSVP at Facebook.

Young Workers Committee Summer Social: all PSAC members 35 and under are invited to join the Young Workers Committee at a Vancouver Canadians Baseball Game, June 21st. Details and RSVP information.

Regularly Scheduled Meetings

West Fraser Valley Area Council meeting - June 12
Okanagan Human Rights Committee meeting - June 16
Okanagan Area Council meeting - June 16
Vancouver Area Council meeting - June 28

Thanks for reading, <<First Name>>!

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

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