May 2024
What a way to start the month. As you will likely have heard, May kicked off with an announcement from government that come September, federal public service workers will be required to be in-office a minimum of three days per week. As part of the PSAC’s agreement in the last round of negotiations, Treasury Board was obligated to consult with the union with the purpose of reviewing the outdated Directive on Telework. However, the employer did not indicate to the union any plan to increase to in-office attendance prior to the May 1 announcement.
On a day that should have been a celebration of workers and the power of their collective action, we were reminded yet again that there is much work to do to fight for labour rights, fair working conditions and respect for workers.
In response to government's blatant disregard for the wellbeing of its workers and the collective bargaining rights of thousands of workers, PSAC will be filing an unfair labour practice complaint and examining additional legal options. To say the least, PSAC will be taking further action in the coming days.
More on the Updated Remote Work Policy Here
Ottawa Sun: Public servants, dependants abroad waiting on thousands in insurance claims
CBC News: Government confirms more details of return-to-office plan
Ottawa Citizen: 'We feel betrayed': CRA employees will also be required to work in the office three days a week
The Globe and Mail: How a ballooning public sector is reshaping Canada's economy
Benefits Canada: PSAC files policy grievance regarding transfer of PSHCP, impacts on plan members
CTV News: Public Service reaction to Budget 2024
BC Lions Labour Night Ticket Giveaway
PSAC BC, alongside the BC Federation of Labour and affiliated unions, is proud to be sponsoring this year’s BC Lions Labour Appreciation Night, which is the Home Opener on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at BC Place. Kick off is at 4:30 PM against the Calgary Stampeders. We’ve heard there will once again have a well known entertainer open the game. This is always a great night – and a wonderful way to celebrate union members!
As part of our sponsorship package, PSAC BC has 200 tickets to the game which we are giving away to members in a random draw to PSAC BC members. The draw will take place Friday, May 24th and we will transfer the tickets electronically via Ticketmaster the week of June 3.
One entry per member please – duplicates will be removed.
Read the Union's Full Reaction Here
The application deadline is 8:55 PM Pacific on June 23, 2024.
Treasury Board - Telework Changes: On May 1, the government announced that come September, federal public service workers will be required to be in-office a minimum of three days per week. This decision by TB has not only broken the trust between PSAC members and their employer, but very concretely, it has violated the collective bargaining rights of thousands of workers. In response, PSAC will be filing an unfair labour practice complaint and examining additional legal options. Read more here
Treasury Board - FB Group: Last month, PSAC and CIU announced that they would be conducting nationwide strike votes for the FB group from April 10 to May 15 to ramp up pressure on CBSA while the Public Interest commission (PIC) hearings were ongoing. Against the backdrop of the strike votes, the bargaining team rejected the concessions put forward by TB and CBSA during the PIC hearing on April 22. In the coming weeks, the PIC board will provide a non-binding recommendation to reach an agreement based on the hearings. Pending the result of the strike votes, FB members will be in a legal strike position seven days after the release of the PIC report. Read more here
IMP Comox: This unit continues to face an exceptionally difficult round of bargaining with their employer IMP Aerospace. The team had arbitration dates last month. Watch for an update soon on the arbitration hearing results.
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: Last month, the bargaining team met with the employer for the first time to exchange non-monetary proposals. The next dates with the employer are June 3-6. Watch for a further update after those dates.
Purolator: A new agreement was ratified by members of UPCE 20095 last month. The new deal includes wage increases, increases to protective footwear provisions, and improvements to benefit provisions, including a new mental health annual maximum per person. The agreement also includes vastly improved scheduling language and a new article for Accommodation. Read more here
2024 BC Provincial Election: Update from your PSAC BC Political Action Committee
The BC Federation of Labour and the Canadian Labour Congress are working together to offer a number of political action workshops in May and June. These one- and two-day sessions are scheduled across BC, beginning May 9 in Richmond. A June 5 virtual session is also available for registration.
With a provincial election this fall and a federal election on the horizon, there’s a lot at stake for working people. In these full-day workshops, participants will dig into the ways politics affects workers’ lives, the most important issues we’re facing and where the political parties stand. You’ll learn how unions organize members internally during elections, and how to participate on campaigns — there are roles for everyone! You’ll get hands-on practice using powerful conversational tools and outreach strategies to talk with colleagues and the public about electing a government that supports working people.
Further information and registration links to all offerings are available online here.
If PSAC BC members are interested in attending one of the sessions, there may be some funding available to assist with the registration fee and costs associated with attendance. Please email the REVP Office for further details.
BC Election: Register BCFED Political Action Training
Education Program details here
Here are our upcoming events and regularly scheduled meetings:
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.
Have You Self-Identified?
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.
Want to help us encourage other PSAC BC members to self-id? Here's a one-page info sheet that can be posted on union boards or shared with others.