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)

Bargaining Update:

Provided by our bargaining Team Member Megan Adams. Megan outlined some of the current challenges of bargaining and the items that are now off the table and the items that have not been resolved to any degree.

Negotiation of the Labour Market Development (LMDA) and Employee Transfer Agreements (ETA) and the intentional exclusion of union involvement

Deputy Minister's Welcome

I would like to welcome you to the BC Public Service and the Ministry of Housing and Social Development.

The key element for the successful implementation of the Labour Market Development Agreement is the experience and expertise of Service Canada staff. We recognise the key relationships you have developed with clients and stakeholders in your communities and appreciate the importance of these contributions. (More)

What happens to our negotiations if a federal election is called?

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 

(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.

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)

Few Canadians think Public Service is an 'honourable' place to work

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)

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)

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)

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)

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”.

Poste