August 2023

Here's your PSAC BC newsletter for August ...

PSAC IN THE NEWS

• From signed collective agreements to ratification votes to changes with member health care plans, Ottawa Citizen reports on the latest public service updates.

• After 134 days they got a deal! CBC reports on the end of the Iqaluit Housing Authority Strike and the agreement achieved by member of the Nunavut Employees Union (a Component of PSAC). PSAC is calling on the Minister of Labour to commit to making anti-scab legislation a priority so strikes like this don't have to happen again.

FEDERAL CABINET SHUFFLE BRINGS NEW FACES

• Prime Minister Trudeau shuffled his Cabinet on July 26, which resulted in a new Treasury Board President and some other notable changes to Ministries. PSAC sees this shuffle as an opportunity for the government and the union to improve working conditions and social justice for all in Canada. More here.

PSAC MOURNS TWO FIRST RESPONDERS

• It is with heavy hearts that PSAC mourns the loss of two PSAC members who recently lost their lives. Our thoughts go out to these members' families, co-workers, and communities. Tragedies like this remind us how dangerous members' work can be and how courageous our members are. More here.  

INDIGENOUS WOMEN ARE NOT DISPOSABLE: SEARCH THE LANDFILL

• PSAC strongly condemns ongoing inaction on the part of Manitoba government leaders and the City of Winnipeg. The refusal to search for three Indigenous women in the Prairie Green Landfill is proof of ongoing colonization and erasure of Indigenous women. We expect better from governments at all levels.

PNE & PLAYLAND

• PSAC BC has partnered with the PNE to offer members the opportunity to
  purchase tickets to Playland and the 2023 Fair at reduced rates. More information in the poster here.

DRAW FOR MEMBERS - BC LIONS TICKETS

• PSAC BC, along with the BC Federation of Labour and many of its affiliates, is helping sponsor the BC Lions Be More Than A Bystander campaign for the eighth year in a row. As part of our sponsorship package, we have a number of tickets to various games throughout the summer and fall which we are giving away to members in a random draw. More info and enter the draw here.

BARGAINING UPDATES

• Parks Canada: Ratification voting is underway on the tentative agreement achieved for more than 5,000 Parks members across the country. Voting concludes on August 4 at noon ET. More details on the tentative deal and voting available here.

• CFIA: PSAC's bargaining team resumed negotiations with CFIA this week (July 31-Aug 3). Watch for an update from the team soon.

• CBSA: The FB Bargaining Team met with the employer in mid-June to continue talks towards a new collective agreement. After conducting a comprehensive analysis of compensation and working conditions within the law enforcement community, the team presented their wage demands.

• Commissionaires: The team is looking forward to a productive round of
  negotiations. Contact your Local Executive to find out how you can support the bargaining team.

• Purolator: The Bargaining team met with the employer July 17 and 18. Additional dates are set for the fall. Watch for an update soon.

• First Nations Health Authority: The team met with FNHA in June. Although progress was made on certain issues, the team believes that the employer’s offer needs improvement. The second of two bargaining town-hall meetings is scheduled August 17.

• IMP Comox: PSAC has served notice to bargain, contact your Local Executive to find
  out how you can help win a new collective agreement.

• North Peace Airport: Bargaining dates have been set for August 7-11. Contact your Local Executive to find out how you can support the Bargaining team.

UNION EDUCATION

• PSAC BC's fall course schedule has been posted! Sign up for one of our fall course offerings:

• Talking Union Basics | Vancouver | September 9-10

• Talking Union Basics | Prince George | September 9-10

• Talking Union Basics | Abbotsford | September 15-16

• Talking Union Basics | Nanaimo | September 16-17

• Grievance Handling | Vancouver | October 12-13

• Grievance Handling | Abbotsford | October 14-15

• Talking Union Basics | Kamloops | October 28-29

• Intro to Duty to Accommodate | Prince George | October 28

• Steward Series: Stewards as Allies for Racial Justice | Prince George | October 29

• Talking Union Basics | Victoria | November 4-5

• Grievance Handling | Kelowna | November 18-19

• Local Officers Seminar | Vancouver | November 18

• Intro to Duty to Accommodate | Vancouver | November 19

• Grievance Handling | Victoria | December 2-3

• Virtual Talking Union Basics | Virtual | December 5-7

• More information and registration forms available at the website.

• You can also check out PSAC's online education program - a series of self-paced courses available 24/7.

UPCOMING EVENTS & REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETINGS

• Come out to watch PSAC BC with the BCFED and Multi-Union Pride at the Vancouver Pride Parade on August 6 in Vancouver! More details here.

• Labour Day celebrations are on the horizon, and PSAC BC members will be celebrating across the province. Keep your eyes out for updates on where to connect with PSAC members across BC.

• Here are our upcoming regularly scheduled meetings, more information at the calendar.

• North Vancouver Island Area Council | August 5

• Okanagan Area Council | August 14

• Victoria Area Council | August 15

• Vancouver Island Young Workers Committee | August 21

• Vancouver Island Regional Women's Committee | August 29

• East Fraser Valley Area Council | September 14

• Vancouver & Dist. Area Council | September 20

• CIRCLE (Northern & Southern Interior) Human Right Committee | September 21

• Mainland Human Rights Committee | September 21

• Northern Regional Women's Committee | September 27

• Mainland Haida Gwaii Young Workers Committee | September 28

Warmth and solidarity!

Kristin Schnider
PSAC Vancouver Regional Office