PSAC BC regional newsletter for April 2024
Welcome to spring! Like prior months this year, this season is expected to be busy with mobilization, activism and union solidarity. In a few short weeks, PSAC members from coast to coast to coast will gather in Ottawa for the PSAC National Triennial Convention that will set the PSAC's national direction for the next three years. Closer to home in BC, we expect the coming months to filled with two PSAC BC Equity Summits, membership engagement events and well as activist advocacy opportunities. For more details on what's ahead, keep reading below!
PSAC National President Chris Aylward provided key recommendations to strengthen anti-scab legislation during Parliamentary committee hearings at the end of March.
In November 2023 the Minister of Labour tabled Bill C-58, An Act to Amend the Canada Labour Code and the Canada Industrial Relations Board Regulations, 2012. The Act aims to ban the use of replacement workers under the Canada Labour Code.
The use of replacement workers drags out labour disputes and divides communities by pitting workers against each other.
Progressive and effective legislation to ban replacement workers has been a long-standing demand of trade unions across this country,” said Aylward. “We are proposing simple changes that will make this legislation truly effective in leveling the playing field and ensuring free and fair collective bargaining for all workers governed in the sector.”
PSAC believes that Bill C-58, as drafted, is an excellent start, however the legislation can be improved and strengthened.
Ottawa Sun: Public servants, dependants abroad waiting on thousands in insurance claims
The Globe and Mail: Efficient transportation, daycare, key to coaxing workers back to the office
Ottawa Citizen: Federal unions' budget priorities include focusing on Phoenix, in-house staffing
Ottawa Citizen: Winger: Civilian military workers at Canadian bases deserve wage fairness
As mandated by the Pay Equity Act employers are legally required to work with unions to develop pay equity plans. PSAC pays special attention to employment data to ensure our members’ human rights are respected, and at later stages of this process, will ensure that the realities and nuances of members’ jobs are taken into consideration to ensure that the pay equity analysis is based on complete and accurate information.
In September 2023, PSAC joined the Pay Equity Committee established by the Treasury Board for the core public administration. Its mandate is to examine pay practices with the goal of achieving pay equity in the federal public service for jobs commonly held by women.
Comprised of a diverse membership, the committee includes representatives from Treasury Board, as well as representatives from all affected bargaining agents—17 in total, as well as representatives of non-unionized Treasury Board employees. The committee is designed to work collaboratively and come to decisions by consensus.
Members of the Pay Equity Committee have collaborated on a joint update regarding their progress. The joint update was issued on March 25, 2024.
There are 24 spots available in the course for Affiliates and their members. The cost for registration is $300 per person, which includes lunch. To register for the Women in Leadership Course, please visit the CLC page here. The deadline to register for the course is Friday, May 3, 2024. The CLC anticipates the course will fil up quickly and encourage interested folks to register early.
To assist members with attendance at the NCLC course, the PSAC BC Education Program is offering three (3) education subsidies up to $300 each to PSAC BC members in good standing. The subsidy is intended to cover the cost of the registration fee for those attending the NCLC Women in Leadership Course.
The deadline to submit a PSAC BC subsidy application form is Friday, April 19, 2024 at 4 PM Pacific Time Zone. Late applications will not be accepted.
Application form and Additional Details
The BC Forum of Retired Union Members (BC FORUM) represents thousands of retired and active workers from unions affiliated to the BC Federation of Labour. For retirees, BC FORUM keeps the strength of the union movement on your side after you've left the workforce. For active workers, BC FORUM helps you plan for retirement - because leaving work should not mean leaving the movement.
By working together in solidarity, BC FORUM members retain the bargaining power to spotlight issues important to seniors, demand the attention of legislators, and negotiate the best benefits for members.
BC FORUM is the only organization that represents union members who have retired or are nearing retirement. They are an integral part of the labour movement, with formal representation in leadership bodies. BC FORUM also maintains strong links with provincial and national seniors' groups.
BC FORUM actively welcomes union members who are 50 years and better, working or retired. If you are part of this group or know others who are, we encourage you and others to join BC FORUM. For just $20 a year (or $49 for three years), you will receive the benefits of BC FORUM membership. This includes Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance coverage, other optional insurance coverage for purchase, community forums and rallies on issues that matter to you and other BC FORUM members, and - of course - a group to turn to when you want action.
Arbitration dates have been set for June 14-15, 2024. We are hoping to resolve all outstanding proposals in arbitration, and we are confident that gains can be made at this stage of the process. Read more here
Treasury Board - PA Group, Occupational Group Structure Review: Treasury Board informed PSAC they will be making changes to the Program and Administrative Services Occupational Group Structure (OGS) review timeline and next steps due to their continued inability to meet the target date of June 24, 2024. Treasury Board is unable to provide a new target date at this time. Read more here
Treasury Board - FB Group: The FB group will be heading to Public Interest commission (PIC) hearings with the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board on April 10 and 22, 2024. After impasse is declared a PIC hearing is a legislatively imposed component of the negotiations process. However, the PIC report that is generated from the hearings contains non-binding recommendations for reaching a settlement. While we are waiting for the PIC hearings to proceed, the bargaining team will be meeting to discuss mobilization and lobbying efforts in support of pension reform and a fair contract. Read more here
IMP Comox: This unit continues to face an exceptionally difficult round of bargaining with their employer IMP Aerospace. Last year, the employer cancelled multiple sets of bargaining dates. When the parties were finally able to meet in November with conciliation assistance, no movement was made. Given the essential nature of these members, they have no ability to strike. On March 13, the Local held a solidarity rally at CFB Comox where nearly over 60 PSAC members and media showed up. The rally included speeches from UNDE National President June Winger, PSAC National President Chris Aylward, Local President Grant Golem and MP Rachel Blaney who has been vocally supporting the Local in the House. The team will now be heading to arbitration this month. While we wait for the arbitration hearing dates, we are ramping up a public awareness campaign. Keep an eye out for our bus ads in the Comox Valley! The unit has also received great support from NDP MPs Rachel Blaney and Gord Johns who represent these members in the Comox Valley.
BWXT Vancouver: Last month the bargaining team met to prioritize proposals and prepare for bargaining with the employer. Currently, we are waiting to confirm bargaining dates with the employer. Watch for a further update soon.
CMHC Granville Island: Notice to bargain was served by the union on March 1. Stay tuned for a further update soon.
PLH Dublin: Last week, the bargaining team met with the employer for the first time to exchange non-monetary proposals. The next dates with the employer are in June. Watch for a further update soon.
Purolator: Last month ratification vote meetings took place after the bargaining team was able to reach a tentative deal with the employer. The tentative deal includes wage increases, scheduling language improvements and well as pension and benefit improvements. Once the results of the ratification votes have been finalizes, members of the unit will be advised. Read more here
If you can believe it, there are just over 200 days until the next provincial election in BC. While the October 19 election may not be on the minds of most folks in BC, politicians are certainly counting the days and working hard to secure votes.
But before anyone can vote for their local MLA candidates, they'll need to register to vote in BC. If you unsure of the registration process, the PSAC BC Political Action Committee would like to give you the quick rundown on how to register.
To vote in BC, you must meet the following criteria:
Be a Canadian citizen;
Be 18 years of age or older;
Be a BC resident for the past six months; and
Not be disqualified from voting.
If you meet the above criteria, registration is easy and it can be done online, by phone at 1-800-661-8683, by mail by completing this form, or in person at the Elections BC Office in Victoria.
To register, you will need to provide one of the following:
your BC Driver's license number;
your BC Identification card number;
the last six digits of your Social Insurance Number; or
the last six digits of your Personal Health Number.
Registering to vote in advance of the election has several benefits. Registered votes will receive important updates from Elections BC once the election is called, including information about where, when and how to vote.
Know a 16 or 17 year old who's anxious to be part of the democratic process in BC?
Elections BC also maintains a list of eligible 16- and 17-year-olds who will be automatically added to the Provincial Voters List when they turn 18. This makes it easier for young voters to receive information about voting from Elections BC and will speed up the voting process for everyone. To register as a future voter, you must be:
16 or 17 years old;
a Canadian citizen; and
a BC resident.
Future votes can register through the same options listed above (online, phone, mail or in person).
Do you want more information on how to register as a voter in the next provincial election or on how to register as a future voter? Click the button below for more details.
Elections BC: Register to vote or update your registration
Education Program details here
Here are our upcoming events and regularly scheduled meetings:
Kitchen Table Talk: Understanding Domestic Violence Leave in a Collective Agreement | April 3
North Vancouver Island Area Council Meeting | April 5
PSAC BC Access Summit | April 5-7
Vancouver Island Regional Women's Committee Meeting | April 9
Northeastern BC Area Council Meeting | April 10
Mainland & Haida Gwaii YWC Meeting | April 17
East Fraser Valley Area Council Meeting | April 18
Southern Interior RWC Meeting | April 18
Northern RWC Meeting | April 23
Vancouver Area Council Meeting | April 24
Info Session: Domestic Violence as a Workplace Issue | April 24
PSAC BC Pre-Convention Delegates' Session | April 27
West Fraser Valley Area Council Meeting | April 29
PSAC BC 2SLGBTQIA+ Summit | May 3-5
CIRCLE (HRC) Committee Meeting | May 7
Mainland HRC Meeting | May 11
Vancouver RWC Meeting | May 22
More information is available at the calendar on the regional website.
Not sure what all these meetings are about? Learn more about PSAC BC Area Council and Regional Committees on our website. Read more here
Want to spread the news about PSAC BC Area Council and Regional Committees? Here's a one-page info sheet on these PSAC BC groups that can be posted on union boards or shared with others.
More event & meeting details here
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