Health and Safety

PSAC's National Executive Vice-President presented to the house committee on human resources and skills development Nov. 22, urging the committee to amend the government's latest budget implementation bill to remove provisions that would weaken federal health and safety regulations.The brief takes on the redefinition of the word 'danger', the change to accident investigation rules and the role of health and safety officers.

Less than a week after reconvening Parliament, the Conservative government introduced Bill C-4, an omnibus budget bill that proposes to radically change our rights as federal public sector workers, and, by extension, is an attack against the rights of all Canadian workers.

(Ottawa) October 29, 2013 – Leaders of the federal public sector unions (the National Joint Council bargaining agents) met yesterday and released the following statement on the government’s proposed changes to federal labour relations legislation:The federal public sector bargaining agents call on the government to withdraw its sweeping and unfair changes to federal labour relations legislation from its omnibus budget implementation act. Instead, the government should engage in real consultation on legislation to improve labour relations.

The latest budget implementation act put forward by the Harper Conservatives, will dramatically change health and safety laws for workers under federal jurisdiction. It represents a fundamental shift that will make federal workplaces more dangerous, and make it more difficult for workers to refuse dangerous work.

PSAC held a press conference on Friday, October 25, speaking out against the changes to labour law contained in the Budget Implementation Act. We received extensive media coverage, including the following articles:

The lives of almost one million Canadian workers will be placed in danger as a result of cynical amendments that the Conservative government is making to the Canada Labour Code. Buried deep in the government’s latest budget bill tabled on October 22 are amendments to the health and safety provisions of the Code that have nothing to do with balancing the budget, and everything to do with putting workers’ lives at risk.

Almost 70 health & safety activists in BC attended the 2012 PSAC BC Regional Health & Safety Conference, held February 25-26 in Richmond. They heard from guest panellists, including Dr. Gary Naime, one of North America's foremost authorities on workplace bullying, attended workshops, and planned for H&S activities in the BC Region. Download the full report below.

The B.C. Federation of Labour Occupational Health and Safety Centre is seeking applicants to fill a five day per week term position with the Centre’s Occupational Health and Safety program for young workers.The position is beginning Monday, August 19, 2013 for a one year term with possible extension and is part of the USW 2009 bargaining unit at the B.C. Federation of Labour, salary and benefits are reflected in the appropriate Collective Agreement.Details in the attached letter below.

Here are the Regional Council reports presented at the April 2013 Regional Council meeting.