Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that
matter.
Martin Luther King Jr
Thank you from Dianne Mitchell, Alternate NVP BC/YT
Thank you to all those members who took
time out of their busy days to vote in the last regional election. To all those
members who voted for me, my sincere thanks.Your vote of confidence is deeply appreciated.To have been re- elected to the position as
Alternate NVP BC/YT region for a second term affords me the opportunity to
continue on with the work of the union on your behalf.
With gratitude,
Dianne Mitchell
Email letter from Pat Wakefield to Andy Netzel asking for his support during the Employee Transfer Agreement
(By Email)
Dear Mr. Netzel:
Despite commitments from the federal employer to meaningful consultation with the union on the Employee Transfer Agreement (ETA) in BC, this process has been a disappointment and frustration. I am bringing my concerns directly to you in the expectation that you will bring to bear your influence and authority to find positive solutions for my members.
In pursuit of work-life balance, Canadians are downing BlackBerries, declining overtime and daring to do less.
"Work-life balance is a concern for our members, there's no question
about that,'' says Patty Ducharme, national executive vice-president of
the Public Service Alliance of Canada. (More here)
A noble calling?
Few Canadians think Public Service is an 'honourable' place to work
Kathryn May,
The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Wednesday, August 06, 2008
The
days of being drawn to the public service as a noble calling may be
over. Twice as many Canadians believe it's more "honourable" to work in
the private sector than for government, says a poll by Angus Reid
Strategies. (more here)
CEIU proposes joint approach to introduction of new work descriptions
From the CEIU national site
August 5, 2008
CEIU has proposed that the new generic work descriptions at Service
Canada be reviewed by joint union-management committees. The work
descriptions are extremely broad in nature and members are
understandably concerned that their work be fully reflected and valued
in them. (More here)
Post-ETA in the BC Region
From the CEIU national site:
August 5, 2008
The ETA was a disappointment in many ways for programs staff in BC and
the union is still debating the fallout with both employers. We would
have hoped that on the federal side when Mr. Leonidas was negotiating
the ETA, Ms. Jackson was managing this transition and Mr. Netzel was
signing off the agreement that the practical issues the union was
raising would resonate. (More here)
Federal workers slam 'insulting' offer
MARY-ELLEN SAUNDERS
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL ST. STEPHEN
Published/posted August 2nd, 2008
The long line of vehicles snaking through the streets of
St. Stephen on their way out of the province for the long weekend were
greeted at the border crossing Friday by a large group of federal
government workers waving their union flag and handing out brochures. (More here)
LMDA – ETA Bulletin #6
IMPORTANT
LMDA – ETA Bulletin #6
Post-ETA in the BC Region
Posted August 1st, 2008 The ETA was a disappointment in many ways for programs staff in BC and the union is still debating the fallout with both employers.We would have hoped that on the federal side when Mr. Leonidas was negotiating the ETA, Ms. Jackson was managing this transition and Mr. Netzel was signing off the agreement that the practical issues the union was raising would resonate. They had the clout to make the province reconsider and work towards the ETA that your management told you would be “equal to or better than Ontario”.
We are all federal government workers and we are also elected members of PSAC negotiating teams that bargain with our employer, Treasury Board. For over a year now we have been sitting through a great many bargaining sessions but so far we have made virtually no progress. This lack of progress is due to Treasury Board's refusal to address the major concerns that we've raised at the bargaining table.
PSAC wants say in how members' contributions are managed
Glen McGregor,
The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Thursday, July 24, 2008
The
largest union representing federal public servants wants a voice in how
its members' pension fund is run after government-appointed pension
fund managers gave up on more than $900 million in investments rocked
by the U.S. credit crisis. (More here)
PSAC Statement of Solidarity
Posted July 18th, 2008
From the PSAC national site:
PSAC stands in solidarity with the Professional Institute of the Public
Service of Canada (PIPSC) and their member Luc Pomerleau, who was fired
from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for performing his
responsibilities as a union steward. Pomerleau's firing came after he
alerted his union about upcoming changes that will significantly affect
his workplace, the work of PSAC members, and potentially damage public
safety. (More here)
PM Harper makes more changes to public service
The Hill Times, June 30th, 2008 NEWS STORY By Cynthia Münster
Simon Kennedy is new deputy secretary to Cabinet for plans and consultations in the Privy Council Office, effective Aug. 1.
There was a significant flurry of both high and low-profile
appointments last week, culminating with changes to the senior ranks of
the federal public service on Friday. It's estimated the government
made a total of 57 appointments last week.
(More here)
CEIU members speak up for a fair contract
June 23rd, 2008
From the CEIU national site
CEIU members responded to the PSAC’s call for a day of action on June
19 aimed at pushing the employer to bargain seriously. Members of the
PA group have been without a contract for a year and recently received
an insulting pay offer from the Treasury Board. (More here)
Service Canada’s Newfoundland Workers Accuse Management of Manipulating Local Employment Insurance Claims to Inflate Stats for Ottawa
Posted June 23rd, 2008
From CEIU national site
Understaffing sees older EI claims pushed to back burner
ST. JOHN’S – The federal government union representing employment
insurance staff at Service Canada is accusing St. John’s managers of
showing more interest in producing good statistics for their Ottawa
bosses than for people in need in Newfoundland and Labrador. (More here)
Negotiating Essential Services with Treasury Board: What PSAC members need to know
From the PSAC national site June 23rd, 2008
The PSAC would have liked nothing better than to take on Treasury
Board’s insulting wage offer at the table in June. But we need to plan
for what happens in the bargaining process after the talking is done if
we can’t reach a settlement. (More here)
Federal government resorts to heavy-handed tactics to stop union activity
OTTAWA, June 19, 2008/CNW Telbec
The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) says the federal government has crossd the line in its attempts to discourage protests against the government's recent wage officer (more here).
Updated pension information for BC members moving to province
Posted June 18th, 2008
From CEIU (national site)
Members transferring to the BC government as a result of the Labour
Market Agreement now have updated pension information available to them. (More here)
Employer’s offer won’t pay the bills June 19: members to send message to Treasury Board
Posted June 18th, 2008
From CEIU National Site
Members will send the Treasury Board a message on June 19 to get
serious about a fair agreement. After a year without a new contract and
an insulting pay offer, members are fed up with the performance of the
employer at the bargaining table.
Public service union officials say an internal memo issued by the
Treasury Board Secretariat to its staff outlining possible disciplinary
actions in anticipation of an upcoming rally is "overkill."
On June 19, PSAC members across the country will be joining together
to let you know what they think about your wage offer of 1.5% and 1.2%
It's an understatement to say that, after a year of bargaining, our
members are disappointed that this is all you could come up with.
From your recent e-mail to our members, it's seems that you've
finally started to pay attention to our members. It's too bad that
you're more interested in managers' reports of our members' activities
and so-called disruptions than you are in listening to their demands to
fix workplace problems and achieve a fair agreement.
Why not come out on June 19 and see for yourself what our members have to say.
Oh, and by the way, thanks for the free advertising.
P.S. The Harper government must be confusing PSAC members with their
own Members of Parliament. The PMO may be able to muzzle the Cabinet
and Conservative caucus but it can't silence our members and their
union.
Stop Playing Games and Start Negotiating, Says PIPSC
Posted June 5th, 2008
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - June 5, 2008) - The Professional
Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) calls on Treasury
Board and the Canada Revenue Agency to immediately stop its
misinformation campaign during this current round of bargaining. PIPSC
President Michele Demers is incensed that the employers are playing
this game rather than seriously sitting down to negotiate collective
agreements for public service professionals.
PSAC Bargaining Units with Treasury Board (PA, SV, TC, EB, FB) - Is that all there is?
Your PA negotiating team was the first of the union's team to be
presented with Treasury Board's monetary offer. It consisted of a
woefully inadequate economic increase and nothing else.
Treasury Board had the nerve to propose 1.5% for 2007, 1.5% for 2008, 1.2% for 2009 and 1.2% for 2010 in a four-year agreement.
No adjustments to bring us in line with Canada Revenue Agency workers.
No other market adjustments.
No changes in increments.
Allowances – they'll get back to us.
Nothing but a proposal for an economic increase that's an insult.
PSAC encourages Treasury Board to respect its workers with a better wage offer
OTTAWA, May 29 /CNW Telbec/ - The Public
Service Alliance of Canada
(PSAC) doesn't buy
Treasury Board's recent statement that they are committed to the bargaining process
and achieving a fair settlement. Treasury Board has called on the union to
respect bargaining dates that had been tentatively scheduled for June.
The
stage is set for increased tension in negotiations between Treasury
Board and the 120,000 federal public servants represented by the Public
Service Alliance of Canada.
The two government employers, Canada and BC,
will soon have their final Employee Transfer Agreement (ETA) in hand.We know this process has been frustrating for
many of the affected members and the union shares in your frustration.
Thank you from Pat Wakefield, National Vice President
Thank
you to all those members who took the time to vote and a special thank you to
all those members who votes re-elected me for a fourth term in office as National
Vice President. This vote of confidence makes the work I do on your behalf much
more meaningful to me.
March 5, 2008 - Employee Transfer Agreement Talks Underway between the Employer and BC
CEIU has met with Service Canada
representatives on February 26 to form the Workforce Adjustment Committee. The union will use this forum, or indeed any
other necessary pathway, to put the member’s issues forward and protect their
interests as the transfer process unfolds. Read morehere
E mail from Con Leonidas (March 4th, 2008) on behalf of Pat Wakefield, National Vice-President, CEIU,to advise that a Work Force Adjustment (WFA) Committee has been established in this region.
Our Treasury Board bargaining teams are back at the table!
If you want to keep up to date on what activities are going on for TB bargaining in the B.C. region and nationally please sign up for our regional list-serve at (here)
We also have a link dedicated to TB bargaining on our regional website at www.psacbc.com.
This week: TB-Area Coordinators are distributing an info flyer on current negotiations. Please help get these flyers out to your members, Union boards, lunch rooms.
Help spread the word, support your bargaining teams!
In Solidarity, Monica Urrutia, TB-RSC for BC Mainland
Convention 2008: submit your resolutions
From CEIU National Site: (Posted here February 12, 2008
CEIU holds its convention in 2008 and locals wishing to make changes
to our union are invited to put forward resolutions. Here is all the
information you need to develop and submit the resolutions that
convention delegates will consider in September. (More here)
Getting ready: CEIU holds first bargaining conference
From CEIU National Site:
With bargaining sessions for the PA group slated for February and
March, the CEIU kicked off the first in a series of conferences aimed
at informing and mobilizing members. The union is seeking solid
improvements to the collective agreement while at the same time facing
demands for contract concessions from the Treasury Board. (More here)
Pay Direct Drug Card Update
A drug card was promised as part of the 2006 negotiations, and work is well underway to provide this new service to plan members. Originally scheduled for implementation later this year, it is now expected that the card will be in place by mid-2009. Read more here
Unions and Associations of Employees and Retirees Determined to Win Their Pension Appeal Case
OTTAWA, January 29, 2008 In conjunction with the Federal Superannuates National Association, the Armed Forces Pensioners/Annuitants Association of Canada, the Association des membres de la Police Montee du Quebec,the B.C. Mounted Police Professional Associationand the Mounted Police Association of Ontario, eighteen bargaining agents representing all federal public service employees reached unanimous agreement at a meeting with legal counsel on January 23 to staunchly pursue their appeal of Justice de Lotbinire Panet's decision in the pension surplus case.
The government's decision to fire the head of Canada's nuclear safety
watchdog hours before she was to speak about a nuclear shutdown in
November will prevent public servants from speaking out about other
important safety issues, says the head of the union representing
federal public servants.
Unfortunately, the implementation of a Pay Direct Card for members of
the Public Service Health Care Plan has been further delayed. The Card
was the major priority flowing from the 2005 renegotiation of the
Public Service Health Care Plan, however there are still a number of
steps to be completed before the Card will be introduced.
Program to prepare public servants for senior posts
John Ivison,
National Post, with files from Canwest News Service
Published: Saturday, January 12, 2008
OTTAWA - It used to that you had to join the navy to see the world --
now you just have to enlist in the senior ranks of the federal
government bureaucracy.
Dangerous work. No backup. Nasty bosses. Vicious infighting. The RCMP is in ruins.
JONATHON GATEHOUSE AND CHARLIE GILLIS | November 14, 2007 |
'After months of delays, the Crown withdrew the case on the day their preliminary hearings were scheduled to begin because the chief witnesses—five RCMP officers who were at the centre of the investigation—were unavailable to testify. "Officers Claim Illness, Drug Charges Dropped," said the headline in a local paper. The prosecutor and various police agencies—the bust was the work of the elite Golden Horseshoe Combined Special Forces Enforcement Unit(CSFEU)—expressed disappointment. But no one seemed willing to address the reasons a bunch of battle-tested cops have been off the job on stress leave for close to 20 months, or ask why the Mounties appeared willing to let four accused mobsters walk rather than fix the problem.'
More bargaining dates for negotiations with Treasury Board
From the PSAC national site
PSAC will be negotiating with Treasury Board from January 29 to
February 1 and from February 26 to 29 for our Technical Services (TC),
Operational Services (SV) and Frontière/Border Services (FB) bargaining
units.
Negotiations for the Program and Administrative Services (PA) and
Education and Library Science (EB) units are scheduled from February 5
to 8 and from March 4 to 7.
Sign up now to receive the information bulletins that will be issued by the PSAC negotiating teams as bargaining progresses.
Feds must stop relying on temps: staffing watchdog
Kathryn May
Ottawa Citizen
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
OTTAWA
- The government has to break its reliance on temporary workers as it
heads into a fiercely competitive job market where all employers will
be fighting over a shrinking talent pool, says Canada's staffing
watchdog.
The year 2007 is fast coming to an end and a new
beginning is shining oh so brightly on the horizon. Every year we face changes
and this year has been no exception yet 2008 will be witness to even more
change.
Overview of the Amendment to the Coordination Formula of the Public Service (PS), Canadian Forces (CF) and RCMP pension plans with the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) or the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP)
Posted December 13th, 2007 - From the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Overview of the Amendment to the Coordination Formula of the Public Service (PS), Canadian Forces (CF) and RCMP pension plans with the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) or the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP)
Improvement to the three major public sector pension plans – Tax implications
Posted here December 13th, 2007
To: Heads of Human Resources
SUBJECT: Improvement to the three major public sector pension plans – Tax implications
An amendment to the coordination formula contained in the Public Service (PS), the Canadian Forces (CF) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) pension plans was approved in June 2006. This amendment will improve benefits for those reaching age 65 in 2008 or later and may have implications on the amount plan members can contribute to an Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP). The purpose of this notice is to inform you in advance of these possible implications.
Canada: Charter Now Protects Collective Bargaining — What Does It Mean For You?
12 December 2007
Article by Donovan Plomp
Introduction
The Supreme Court of Canada recently released a landmark decision, Health Services and Support-Facilities Subsector Bargaining Assn. v. British Columbia, which concluded that collective bargaining is constitutionally protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The decision reverses 20 years of prior jurisprudence by the court, and
unions have hailed it as a huge victory.
OTTAWA
-- Under intense pressure from MPs, the federal government opened the
best jobs in the nation's capital to anyone who wants apply. The big
surprise is how few want to work in Ottawa.
First half's $9.3 billion `embarrassing' riches Nov 24, 2007 04:30 AM
OTTAWA
“The federal government is heading for a record tax haul and another massive surplus after revealing yesterday it has accumulated a $9.3 billion surplus in the first six months of the fiscal year.
OTTAWA -- Retiring baby boomers have sparked an unprecedented churn of workers within the federal government, starting at the top where nearly 60 per cent of executives spend less than a year in their jobs.
Feds have right to spend public service pension surplus, Ont. court rules
From CBC News November 21, 2007
An Ontario Superior Court judge has dismissed claims from public service
unions and RCMP and military associations that the federal government
was wrong to take billions in surplus funds from accounts containing
their pension contributions.
Public Service Commission Concerned About the Over-Reliance on the Temporary Workforce
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Nov. 13, 2007) - The Public Service Commission (PSC) of Canada has tabled today in Parliament its 2006-2007 Annual Report along with four audit reports. Two statistical studies were also released. The Annual Report presents the results of the PSC's oversight of the integrity of the staffing system and non-partisanship in the federal public service.
Travel Directive: reimbursement of dependent care costs and the meaning of “sole caregiver”
From CEIU National Site Posted here November 15th, 2007
Members with dependant care expenses arising from government travel may be entitled to reimbursement and this entitlement depends, in part, on whether the member is considered to be a “sole caregiver”.
Your PSAC Program and Administrative Services (PA) bargaining team met
Treasury Board for another four days, starting October 30. The two
teams met every day and exchanged information in a respectful
atmosphere.
Stewards must be able to operate in the workplace without interference
or intimidation for the union to be effective. A recent decision by the
Public Service Labour Relations Board (PSLRB) reinforces the rights
needed by stewards to work on behalf of their members.
Update on new labour market agreements with provinces and territories
From internal email - October 22, 2007
As part of Budget 2007, the Government of Canada announced a
number of measures to increase Canada's
skilled and inclusive work force. We would like to take this opportunity to
provide you with a status report on the discussions we have undertaken to date
with provinces and territories.
(Oct 18, 2007 06:00:00) OTTAWA - The Government of Canada must be the "employer of choice" if
it wants to compete for the narrowing pool of Canadian IT and
information management professionals, federal executives said Wednesday.
Better tools, technology also needed to conduct public's business, top PS officer says
Vito Pilieci,
The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Tuesday, October 16, 2007
The federal government faces stiff competition for new employees and
must update and adapt to "sell a career in the public service," says
Canada's top public servant.
Treasury Board seeks contract concessions as bargaining continues
Posted 14 October 2007 - From the CEIU National Site
Negotiations for the PA group continue in the first week of October,
and your bargaining team is looking for your support. The employer is
seeking roll-backs in the contract and needs to hear our response: forget concessions!
Additional information has been added to help you make any forthcoming decisions on devolution. In order to further assist you, a Devolution Committee for the BC/Yukon Region has been established.
Committee Objective
The objective of this committee is to provide information to help our affected CEIU members make informed decisions regarding devolution. This committee will work for members to ensure they achieve the best possible outcome resulting from devolution. This committee will represent member’s interests and concerns. This committee continues to support strong National programs and services for Canadians.
Condolences
Posted: August 16th, 2007
Our condolences to Pat and John Wakefield on the death of John's mother the morning of August 14th, 2007. Understandably Pat will be spending time with her family until well into the week of August 19th, 2007. Our National President, Jeanette Meunier-McKay has volunteered to handle any urgent issues. Thank you Jeanette.
DEVOLUTION!
Check out information under the new menu item "Devolution" on the menu, left side of the front page!
RE: Mental leaves in PS Soar (The Ottawa Citizen, July 31, 2007)
To suggest that mental health absences in the Public Service are soaring is more than a stretch. More troubling is the possibility that your article will discourage workers suffering from depression from seeking the help they need.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - How do people get ahead in the workplace? One way seems to be by making their subordinates miserable, according to a study released on Friday.
In the study to be presented at a conference on management this weekend, almost two-thirds of the 240 participants in an online survey said the local workplace tyrant was either never censured or was promoted for domineering ways.
Top court to hear challenge to federal government's use of EI surplus
Lancaster House (Thanks to Jim Lockhart for bringing this to our attention) Posted here Sunday August 5th, 2007
The Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to hear a claim by Quebec unions that the federal government's approach to Employment Insurance unlawfully invades provincial jurisdiction and that its use of the huge EI surplus to pay down the national debt rather than to increase benefits or lower premiums is also unconstitutional.
Mental health, workplace bullying and its effects on self and productivity
From the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
What is workplace bullying?
Bullying is usually seen as acts or verbal comments that could 'mentally' hurt or isolate a person in the workplace. Sometimes, bullying can involve negative physical contact as well. Bullying usually involves repeated incidents or a pattern of behaviour that is intended to intimidate, offend, degrade or humiliate a particular person or group of people. It has also been described as the assertion of power through aggression.
Number of depressed workers claiming disability doubles in a decade Don Butler, The Ottawa Citizen Published: Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Depressed and anxious public servants comprise by far the largest group of federal employees on disability insurance. And their ranks have expanded rapidly since the early 1990s.
Number of depressed workers claiming disability doubles in a decade Tuesday, July 31, 2007 Don Butler The Ottawa Citizen
Depressed and anxious public servants comprise by far the largest group of federal employees on disability insurance. And their ranks have expanded rapidly since the early 1990s.
TB Bargaining update: Treasury Board demands focus on removing or reducing key benefits
Published July 13th, 2007 in Bargaining, News / OpEd, Treasury Board
All of the PSAC negotiating teams for our Treasury Board units met with the employer in bargaining sessions in May and June. During those sessions, the five teams tabled our bargaining demands reflecting the improvements we are trying to achieve. However, Treasury Board also has come to the bargaining table with their demands, many of which require an immense amount of interpretation.
What might happen when we reach a Canada/British Columbia Employee Transfer Agreement
Check out "Resources" on the top horizontal bar of this page for links to Employee Transfer Agreements for some of those regions that have already negotiated transfers.
The Canada-Ontario Employee Transfer Agreement - What did the employees get?
From the CEIU National Site
As a result of some very hard work on behalf of its members, CEIU feels that we have won improvements beyond those guaranteed in the workforce adjustment for workers who will be transferred to the province
The federal budget in March, 2007, announced plans for further devolution of labour market programs. Whether such devolution will actually occur is not yet clear, but the possibility has sparked interest and concern among CEIU members who could be affected.
