Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that
matter.
Martin Luther King Jr
They're after your pension again!
From the PSAC
Posted February 5th, 2010
Powerful business interests, some corporate media, and corporate think-tanks such as the C.D. Howe Institute and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, are pressuring the Harper government to attack our pensions under the guise of reducing the deficit (again).
The PSAC is launching a campaign to stop the attack on our pension and to ensure that all Canadians have a safe and secure public pension when they retire. This is a linkto the campaign materials: a petition that can be circulated and returned to PSAC in Ottawa, the 'Retirement security for all' flyer which summarizes the issue and what we can do to take action to protect our pensions, and 'Building on what works' - a series of myths and facts about public and defined pension plans.
These materials, as well as an on-line petition, are available at the national website - - which will continue to be updated as the campaign progresses In B.C. we are organizing an M.P. lobby on the issue. Meetings of union officers and members will be held to ensure members are well-equipped to lobby their M.P.s; write letters to the editor; gather petitions; talk to co-workers, friends, and neighbours etc. S taff from the PSAC Regional Offices will contact you soon regarding these activities.
The Conservative Government will table a new budget on March 4th. Please join with us and PSAC members from coast-to-coast-to-coast-to-coast to let them know that we are against using federal public sector workers as scapegoats and attacking pension plans and the important public services we deliver.We need you to be involved in this crucial campaign.
Staffing the Games - Inspire, Inform and Empower
Staffing the Games - Inspire, Inform and Empower - A message from National Vice President, Pat Wakefield January 11th, 2010
The Olympic Torch is traveling across Canada! Excitement and enthusiasm are building across the country as Canadians continue with preparations to host the games for the world. Service Canada and the British Columbia, Alberta and Territories region (BAT Region) are also preparing for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic games. A large part of the preparations include building a team for the temporary Whistler Service Canada Centre (SCC).
Kathryn May,
Canwest News Service
Published: Monday, January 11, 2010
Depression among Canada's public servants is the country's biggest "public health crisis," says a leading mental health expert. (More here)
Canada Post abusing EI program
OTTAWA, Nov. 13 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada Post Corporation (CPC) is trying to use the government's Employment Insurance program to reduce its own costs, according to the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) - the union that represents about 2,400 CPC employees. (More)
Impact of a federal election on Treasury Board and Agency bargaining
What happens to our negotiations if a federal election is called?
From the PSAC national site - posted September 2, 2008
PSAC currently has two weeks of negotiations scheduled for our PA, EB,
SV and FB bargaining units; one week in September, one in October. The
TC group is in the process of establishing dates for mediation this
fall. (More)
Breaking free: Canadians working less
From canada.com
August 9th, 2008
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)
