CBC News: Poor pay forcing civilian military workers to use food banks, union says
CTV News: Union exec arrested as striking military base workers picket in Ottawa
Rabble.ca: Unions continue the fight during Black History Month
CBC News: Authorities investigating massive security breach at Global Affairs Canada
February is a time to celebrate, reflect upon, and honour the significant contributions of Canadians of Black, Caribbean or African descent. This year, PSAC is taking the opportunity to highlight the importance of Black leaders in our unions and our communities and renew our support for the Black Class Action's ongoing fight to eliminate racism and discrimination in the federal public service. Read more here
How you can get involved
Educate Yourself: Take the time to learn more about the history of Black labour leaders and their contributions to shaping the union landscape
Share Stories: Throughout the month, black labour leaders from PSAC will share their insights regarding Black History Month. Use your platforms to amplify the stories of Black leaders, shedding light on their accomplishments and the challenges they've overcome.
Support Black Class Action: Stay informed about ongoing initiatives and lend your support to efforts aimed at addressing systemic issues within the workforce.
Together, let's support the continuous efforts of Black workers in creating workplaces that are healthy, safe, and free from discrimination for everyone.
Following the successful PSAC BC Regional Indigenous Peoples Summit this past fall, PSAC BC will be hosting the 2SLGBTQIA+ Summit May 3-5 at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown. Like the Indigenous Peoples Summit, this Equity Summit is being sponsored by the BC Regional Council.
PSAC BC 2SLGBTQIA+ members will gather to meet, build, encourage, and show solidarity across the PSAC 2SLGBTQIA+ community in BC under the theme “Queer Solidarity in the Face of Adversity”. Participants will hear from engaging speakers and take part in action-oriented workshops. The deadline to apply for the 2SLGBTQIA+ Summit is March 15, 2024. Read more here
We encourage everyone to let PSAC BC 2SLGBTQIA+ members in their areas know about the upcoming 2SLGBTQIA+ Summit and the application deadline.
Registration is now open for observers to the 2024 PSAC National Triennial Convention, which is taking place May 26-31 in Ottawa. All PSAC members in good standing are eligible to attend the convention as observers.
Please note that the number of observers is limited to the space available at the convention. Observers do not have the right to voice or vote during the resolutions debate and are not eligible to vote in elections.
The registration fee for each observer is $300 and must be submitted no later than April 1, 2024. The deadine for observer registration is March 1, 2024. Observers are responsible for all costs associated with their attendance. Read more here
The Vancouver Regional Women's Committee is hosting an International Women's Day (IWD) dinner under the theme Inspiration and Inclusion in our Union, Workplaces & Communities. The dinner takes place Saturday, March 9 at the Taverna Greka in New Westminster. Tickets are $20 and seating is limited. Your ticket includes a delicious Greek dinner and appetizer, taxes and gratuity included (valued at $40). Read more here
Stay tuned for additional IWD events that will be posted on the PSAC BC regional website soon!
Treasury Board - Dental Plan: Negotiations to improve the Public Service Dental Care Plan (PSDP) for over 185,000 federal public service workers broke down after Treasury Board refused to negotiate significant improvements to the plan in the latest round of bargaining. Negotiations began in June, following a labour board decision that found Treasury Board was acting in bad faith by refusing to come to the table. PSAC is disappointed by Treasury Board's continued unwillingness to negotiate fair and reasonable updates to the PSDP. The parties will file for arbitration to resolve all outstanding. Our bargaining team is confident that gains can be made at this stage of the process. 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 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
Parks Canada: As part of the collective agreement that PSAC negotiated during this round of bargaining for Parks Canada members, the $2,500 pensionable one-time lump sum payment was issued to all eligible members on January 31, 2024. PSAC has posted FAQs online that provide full details on the eligibility lump sum payment.
PSAC filed an unfair labour practice against Parks Canada, arguing that members who completed their contracts between the date of ratification on August 4 and September 26, 2023, should also receive the $2,500 pensionable lump-sum payment that was negotiated in good faith at the table. PSAC has also launched an online action to push the Minister of Environment and Treasury Board President to honour the collective agreement. Read more here
NAV Canada: After serving notice to bargain in November, the next step in the negotiations process for UCTE members working at NAV Canada took place at the national bargaining conference held in Ottawa January 30-31. Delegates gathered to review, discuss and prioritize bargaining proposals and mobilization strategies, and elect the bargaining team. Read more here
IMP Comox: This unit is in an exceptionally difficult round. The employer cancelled bargaining dates in August and September. When the parties met in November with conciliation assistance no movement was made. Given the essential nature of these members, they have no ability to strike. So, we are ramping up a joint public awareness campaign in both Comox and Gander (where there is another PSAC unit under this employer) as well as mobilization efforts at each base. Stay tuned for a roll out of the campaign in the coming weeks.
CMHC Granville Island: A call for input for the next round of bargaining has been sent out. The Local met last month to review input received and elect their bargaining team.
Purolator: The bargaining team met with the employer in early December to discuss all outstanding items. The team was hopeful they would be able to reach an agreement before the end of the year. However, due to the number of outstanding items, they were unable to do so. Despite this the they were able to agree to a number of language changes. Future dates are expected early in the new year. Read more here
The Winter/Spring 2024 PSAC BC Union Education schedule is now posted. Sign up for one of our winter/spring course offerings. A trained membership is an active membership and active members build a strong union! More course information is available on the regional website Read more here
Steward Series 2: Working Strategically Through Conflict & Stewards as Allies for Racial Justice, Victoria | February 10
Virtual Grievance Handling | February 23-25
Introduction for Local Officers Training, Osoyoos | March 2-3
Introduction to the Duty to Accommodate, Victoria | March 2
Grievance Handling, Metro | March 9-10
Steward Series 1: Some Things Stewards Should Know About Duty to Accommodate & Mental Health Matters, Abbotsford | March 23
Politics For Everyone, Penticton | April 13-14
Health and Safety Activism, Victoria | April 20-21
Health and Safety Activism, Prince Rupert | May 11-12
Here are our upcoming events and regularly scheduled meetings. More information is available at the calendar on the regional website. Read more here
Vancouver Island RWC AGM | February 13
East Fraser Valley Area Council AGM | February 15
Mainland Haida Gwaii YW Committee | Febraury 15
Vancouver Island YW Committee AGM | February 16
Victoria Area Council AGM | February 20
Vancouver RWC AGM | February 21
West Fraser Valley Area Council AGM | February 26
Northern RWC AGM | February 28
BRUSH Committee AGM | February 29
Okanagan Area Council meeting | March 1
CIRCLE (HR) Committee meeting | March 5
North Vancouver Island Area Council meeting | March 5
Vancouver Island RWC International Women's Day Movie Night | March 8
Vancouver RWC International Women's Day Dinner | March 9
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 one-page info sheet on these PSAC BC groups that can be posted on union boards or shared with others.
Are you a member of an equity deserving group: Indigenous, racially visible, 2SLGBTQIA+, Access (Persons With Disabilities)? Are you a Young Worker or do you identify as a woman?
As part of our ongoing work to build an inclusive union for all members, PSAC members are invited to self-identify as part of one or more equity-deserving groups through our online form. This information is voluntary and handled with strict confidentiality in accordance with PSAC privacy policies. The information gathered will only be used to help develop programs and strategies to address member needs. And, if members choose, they can be added to a contact list to be kept up to date on equity initiatives and issues that matter to them. Find out more here