New Month, New President. As you will likely have heard, nearly 600 delegates attended PSAC’s 2024 National Triennial Convention last week where they elected the new PSAC national leadership, including the PSAC National President, the National Executive Vice-President and the Alternate National Executive Vice-President.
Members elected Sharon DeSousa as National President, Alex Silas as National Executive Vice-President (NEVP) and Craig Reynolds, who is the REVP for Ontario, as the Alternate NEVP.
DeSousa comes to the position as the first racialized national president in PSAC’s history. Sharon was also the first racialized National Executive Vice-President, a position she held from 2020 to 2024. She previously served as PSAC Ontario’s REVP from 2011 to 2020.
PSAC's national elected officers will serve a three-year term from 2024 to 2027.
More about the PSAC National Leadership Elections and Convention
Toronto Star: Labour disputes threaten to disrupt air travel heading into busy summer season
Ici Radio Canada: CBSA work-to-rule would create 'chaos,' quick government response, professor says
CTV News: Federal public servants should be compensated for Canada Life fiasco, government report recommends
CBC News: PSAC elects Sharon DeSousa as its 1st racialized national president
The Globe and Mail: Civil servants' battle for remote work represents a new frontier in workers' right
Ottawa Citizen: Pierre Poilievre's failure to take stance on remote work 'surprising,' expert says
CBC News: Ottawa getting ready to ditch costly, error-prone Phoenix pay system
Menstruation is a fact of life and workplaces need to reflect that.
Effective December 15, 2023, new legislation requires the provision of menstrual products in all washrooms of federally regulated workplaces. This change aims to promote inclusivity and support the health and productivity of all employees by ensuring that menstruating individuals have immediate and unrestricted access to necessary menstrual products.
Key Points of the Legislation:
Accessibility: Menstrual products must be available in every washroom, supporting employees in choosing the facilities that best reflect their gender identity.
Health and Productivity: By providing these essential products, we aim to not only support better health outcomes but also enhance workplace productivity.
Reducing Stigma: This initiative also plays a crucial role in diminishing the stigma often linked with menstruation, fostering a more inclusive and supportive work environment.
Should you have any immediate questions or require further information, please contact your Workplace Health and Safety Committee directly, or reach out the BRUSH Committee.
The federal government has made it clear they will be moving forward with Dayforce as the next-generation pay and human resources system for federal workers, without any evidence the system is the best solution to resolve the ongoing issues with Phoenix.
On the heels of the eighth anniversary of the Phoenix pay disaster, our top priority is that our members finally get a reliable and efficient pay system that works to put an end to the Phoenix nightmare. More than 40 per cent of PSAC members report they have faced Phoenix pay issues in the past two years.
Transparency is key to avoid the same pitfalls of the Phoenix debacle. Unfortunately, the Trudeau Liberal government seems intent on repeating the same blunders. There is no way to determine if Dayforce is the right system until it has been tested in departments with more complex pay transactions, such as Coast Guard workers who work variable shifts.
The application deadline is 8:55 PM Pacific on June 30, 2024.
Treasury Board - FB Group: The clock is ticking to avoid a nationwide strike at Canada’s borders by more than 9,000 CBSA employees. FB members were in a legal strike position as of June 6, seven days after the PIC report was released. If an agreement cannot be reached with CBSA and Treasury Board by 1 PM Pacific on June 7, FB members will begin job action across the country starting June 7. PSAC members in the FB bargaining group have been without a contract for over two years. Key issues in this round of bargaining include fair wages that are aligned with other law enforcement agencies across the country, flexible telework and remote work options, equitable retirement benefits for CBSA law enforcement personnel and stronger workplace protections. Read more here
IMP Comox: Following an arbitration decision earlier this spring, gains were made for members at IMP Comox. Members received pay increases for each year of the new three-year agreement. The team was also able to obtain market adjustments for certain members in the bargaining unit, an increase to ten sick days, improvements to personal leave as well as a monetary increase standby shifts. Congrats to the bargaining team for their hard work in securing this deal.
BWXT Vancouver: The first set of bargaining dates with the employer have been set for June 24-28. Watch for a further update soon.
CMHC Granville Island: The bargaining team met to review and prioritize their demands in advance of their first meeting with the employer. That meeting is expected to take place in July.
PLH Dublin: The bargaining team met with the employer on June 3-6. Watch for a further update soon.
With a provincial election this fall and a federal election on the horizon, there’s a lot at stake for working people.
The BC Federation of Labour has launched a new website that provides workers with information on each party's record when it comes to the issues that matter to families. The website, checktherecord.ca, looks at actions and position taken by the three main BC political parties regarding housing, health care, affordability, workplace safety and fighting for workers.
We encourage you to take a look and 'check the record' before you vote for a new provincial government this October.
In the interim, members always have the option of taking our online offerings that are available on the national website here. The PSAC online program offers union training at your own pace and time. These introductory courses provide a solid overview on a range of topics.
A trained membership is an active membership and active members build a strong union!
Education Program details here
Here are our upcoming events and regularly scheduled meetings:
Nanaimo Pride with the North Vancouver Isl. Area Council | June 9
Vancouver Island YWC Social, The Hangout Climbing Centre in Duncan | June 23
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
If you're 35 years of age and under, we invite you to take part on our Young Workers survey, which will help assist the work of YWC and better engage Young Workers in PSAC.
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
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