Seasons Greetings and Solidarity!

Sisters and Brothers,

I know that 2013 has been a tough year for PSAC members in BC. The federal government cuts that began last year continued: to date over 1600 PSAC members here in the province have been laid off or received affected letters and have been told their jobs are at risk.

And we are faced with a federal government that does not understand nor value the work that we do and has introduced legislation that attacks the rights of each and every one of us, public and private sector alike.

But we have had some victories over the last year. Thousands of PSAC members in BC participated in our We Are All Affected member to member campaign, we have been more visible than ever in our workplaces and our communities, we have spoken to hundreds of people at events and community gatherings across the province about the effects of federal government cuts, and our national campaign around the closure of Veterans Affairs offices has reached tens of thousands more.

This work has not been easy and we still have a long road ahead of us, but I am convinced that together, we can - and we will - defend our hard-won rights and hold the Conservative government accountable.

On behalf of the staff in the REVP and Collective Bargaining Branch Offices, and the Vancouver and Victoria Regional Offices, we wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season, and we look forward to continuing this important work with you in 2014.

Together we’re strong!

In Solidarity,

Bob Jackson, Regional Executive Vice President, BC