News and Political Action

• Jamey Mills, PSAC Regional Executive Vice President for BC, spoke to CFAX radio in Victoria on August 24th and gave them his perspective on the ongoing Phoenix pay system debacle. Here's the clip. Jamey also spoke to the Nanaimo News Bulletin.
   
• Angry federal civil servants (including PSAC National President Chris Aylward) rallied outside the Liberal Cabinet retreat in Nanaimo, on August 22nd, venting their frustration at what they see as the government's persistent inability to accurately and promptly pay its employees. Report and video from CBC.
   
• In midst of Phoenix system scandal, union says federal government dragging its feet on bargaining. "PSAC members go to work day after day not knowing whether they're going to get paid correctly or not paid at all. What we're expecting this government to do is to come to the bargaining table with an offer that's respectful, that demonstrates their understanding and their respect for the commitment and dedication of our members." Chris Aylward is quoted in the Guardian.
   

PSAC Members Take Action

• PSAC members and allies took action during the Liberal Cabinet meeting in Nanaimo on August 22nd.
   
• Approximately 150 members, along with PSAC National President Chris Aylward and REVP Jamey Mills gathered at a rally, then marched to the meeting to loudly deliver an in-person message to the Justin Trudeau and his Ministers. Here's a report and some photos at the regional website and there's lots more photos at Facebook.
   

Benefits for members: mobile phone plans

• PSAC BC has partnered with Baka Communications to provide a limited time special offer for PSAC members on talk, text and data plans from Bell. More information in the poster here or at baka.ca. Help us let members know: print a copy of the poster for your workplace bulletin board!
   

DND Firefighters Deserve A Fair & Equitable Retirement

• Over 500 civilian firefighters work for the Department of National Defence Fire Service. They provide services on military bases, as well as a range of first responder / life-saving services to the people and communities surrounding the bases. Although DND civilian firefighters perform similar and often additional duties when compared to their municipal counterparts, they have been denied a fair and equitable retirement regime.
   
• Take a moment to send a letter to Minister of National Defence - ask him to implement an early retirement regime for DND firefighters.

“Are you Safe or Just Lucky?” 2018 PSAC B.C. Health and Safety Conference

• The 2018 BC Regional Health and Safety Conference will take place December 15-16 at the Radisson Hotel in Richmond. The objective of the conference is to create a forum for health and safety activists to reflect, discuss and take action on health and safety issues so we can improve the health of our members by raising awareness and preventing injuries and occupational diseases. Visit the regional website for more information and the online application.

• 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.
   

• Win at the Labour Board: PSAC/CIU has successfully challenged a Canada Border Services Agency decision that prevented Border Service Officers from showing solidarity with their bargaining team. The Federal Public Service Labour Relations and Employment Board recently issued a decision affirming union members’ rights to participate in legitimate union activity. Read more here.

• Statistical Survey Operations: We are headed for arbitration and will keep you up to date as the process moves forward.
   
• Canada Revenue Agency: Negotiations resume in September, watch for an update.
   
• Treasury Board (PA, TC, SV & EB): The bargaining teams are waiting to hear back from Treasury Board on meeting dates and will let you know as soon as we have more information.
   
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency: The CFIA National Bargaining Conference will take place October 2-4, 2018 in Ottawa. Watch for updates.
   
• Parks Canada: The Parks National Bargaining Conference takes place September 25-27 in Ottawa. We'll keep you up to date as things move forward.
   
• CBSA (FB): The Border Services National Bargaining Conference takes place October 10-12 in Ottawa. Watch for more information to come.
   
• First Nations Health Authority: We're happy to let you know that the tentative agreement was ratified by the membership working at FNHA. Read more here.
   
• North Peace Airport: Bargaining is ongoing. Contact your Local Executive for more information.
   
• Kamloops Airport: PSAC has served notice to bargain. Watch for updates.
   
• Purolator: The bargaining team has reached out to the employer to schedule more meeting dates. We'll keep you up to date as we move forward.
   
• Prince Rupert Airport: Members working at Prince Rupert Airport have a new collective agreement. More information here.
   
• NAV CANADA: Alongside a mediator, the bargaining team met with the employer in Ottawa last week. Another mediation session is scheduled for the end of September. More information here.
   

Union Education

Here's the fall weekend course schedule.

Vancouver

• Talking Union Basics | Vancouver | Sept 22, 23
• Grievance Handling | Vancouver | Oct 13, 14

Vancouver Island

• Talking Union Basics | Victoria | Oct 13, 14
• Grievance Handling | Victoria | Nov 24, 25

Fraser Valley

• Talking Union Basics | Abbotsford | Dec 1, 2

North BC

• Talking Union Basics | Prince Rupert | Sept 15, 16
• Duty To Accommodate | Prince George | Oct 13
• Representing Members With Mental Health Issues | Prince George | Oct 14

Southern Interior

• Steward Series Tier 2 | Kelowna | Sept 29, 30

All PSAC members 35 years of age and under in the vicinity are invited to the Vancouver Island Young Workers Committee Meeting and Social, September 27 in Victoria. Details & RSVP here.

Thanks for reading <<First Name>>! Happy belated Labour Day and thank you for the work you do.

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