News and Political Action

• The Phoenix pay system continues to make news.
  • Public Services Minister Judy Foote says she will issue a written apology to Canada’s public servants for bungled pay caused by the federal government’s new payroll system, which has already cost $25 million to fix. Robyn Benson is quoted at the Ottawa Citizen.
  • Public service employees and union executives gathered in St. John's in August to speak out against the troubled Phoenix pay system and demand a fix from Public Services and Procurement Minister Judy Foote, who oversees the system - more at cbc.ca.
  • Executives managing the roll-out of Ottawa's new computerized pay program, Phoenix, were promised performance pay for hitting multiple targets, including keeping the project on schedule - more at cbc.ca
• PSAC pleased to see Kitsilano Base formally opened and enhanced. REVP Bob Jackson: “This is a victory for all who campaigned to “keep it open” - more at the regional website.

• After months of stalling, Minister Judy Foote finally met with National President Robyn Benson on August 19 to discuss the on-going problems with the Phoenix pay system.

• For many of us, Labour Day marks the end of the summer and time to think about returning to work from holidays, back to school supplies, and getting back to our busy lives. But it is also a time to celebrate and commemorate the many gains and victories the labour movement and PSAC members have made over the years, not just for ourselves but for all workers and all Canadians. Bob Jackson's Labour Day message at the regional website.
   
• This Labour Day, we celebrate the power of our solidarity. PSAC has achieved some important wins this past year, which were the result of sustained member activism. Last October, the decade of Harper Conservative rule came to an end. Our members came together and mobilized against the Conservatives’ irresponsible cuts to Canada’s public services. We have been promised respect from the new Prime Minister, and we intend to hold him to his promise. A message from Robyn Benson at the national website.

• PSAC/UCTE members at the Port of Churchill in Manitoba are facing an uncertain economic future after receiving notice that the port will not be handling any grain this season. Approximately 60 members – some of whom were not back at work yet for the season –  were effectively laid off as of Monday August 8th.  Repeated attempts to meet with the federal and provincial government representatives have gone nowhere. Please take a minute to sign and share the petition that calls on the government to take immediate action: bring the Port of Churchill back under public ownership and reopen it.

PSAC BC Young Workers Conference

• The 2016 PSAC B.C. Regional Conference for Young Workers will be held November 26-27, 2016 at the Pinnacle Hotel Vancouver Harbourfront under the theme Up Next: Young Worker Leadership Summit. We encourage PSAC members in good standing and who are 35 years of age or younger to apply to be a delegate to this Conference. More information and the online registration form at the regional website.

• We still have tickets left for 4 games! PSAC BC, along with the BC Federation of Labour and many of its affiliates, help sponsor the BC Lions Be More Than A Bystander campaign. As a thank you for our sponsorship agreement, the BC Lions have provided us with a number of tickets to upcoming games which we are making available to members in a draw. More info and the entry form.

• Treasury Board: All our TB teams are back at the table starting September 12, we'll keep you up to date.
• CRA:  PSAC has reached a tentative agreement with CRA. Here is the ratification vote schedule for BC and some frequently asked questions.
• CFIA: The CFIA team is back at the table on October 4, we'll keep you up to date.
• Parks: The next round of Parks negotiations is scheduled for October 24-27. We'll keep you up to date.
• Canada Post: We are preparing for the upcoming round of bargaining. Watch for updates at the national website.
• IMP Group, Comox: We are still awaiting a response from the employer, your Local Executive will have more information when it becomes available.
• Commissionaires, Vancouver Island: Due to an issue with the employer bargaining has been pushed back to the Fall.

Union Education

The Fall 2016 Course Schedule is here.

Fraser Valley

• Grievance Handling, Abbotsford, Sept 10 & 11 ** the registration deadline has been extended **
• H&S Activism, Abbotsford, Oct 1 & 2
• Local Officers Course, Abbotsford, Oct 29 & 30

Metro Vancouver

• Grievance Handling, Vancouver, Sept 17 & 18
• Local Officers Course, Vancouver, Oct 29 & 30
• Talking Union Basics, Vancouver, Nov 19 & 20

Southern Interior

• Health & Safety CLC Pt II, Kelowna, Sept 17 & 18
• Talking Union Basics, Kamloops, Oct 22 & 23

North BC

• Stewards Series Tier I, Prince Rupert, Oct 15 & 16
• Stewards Series Tier II, Prince George, Nov 5 & 6

Vancouver Island

• Talking Union Basics, Victoria, Oct 29 & 30
• Grievance Handling, Victoria, Dec 3 & 4

Meetings and Events

Along with many members of other unions, PSAC Area Council members are hosting tables and booths at Labour Day events in Kelowna, Vancouver, Abbotsford, Victoria and Prince George on Monday. If you're in the neighbourhood, be sure to stop by, say hi to your fellow members, and find out more about our union! Hope to see you there!

Join the PSAC Vancouver Island Young Workers Committee for an afternoon of volleyball and fun, September 10! Details here.

The PSAC BC Regional Council is holding a meeting in Victoria next month and we thought this would provide an excellent opportunity for PSAC members in the area to get together, network, and celebrate PSAC’s 50th Anniversary, October 16. Details and RSVP here.

Regularly Scheduled Meetings

Thanks for reading, <<First Name>>! It's September 1st. Where did the summer go? 

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

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