our union voice - spring 2013 english

7/28/2019 Our Union Voice - Spring 2013 English

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In this issue

Recent & historical PSAC victories

Our members in your community

Latest news & bargaining updates

Check out our new executive blogHeadwinds at www.aec-cea.ca

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Vol. 7, N 1 Spring 2013


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remit that amount to our union. Our union,

along with the broader labour movement,

will vehemently ght any such initiative. We

will not let the Harper government legislate

away collective agreement rights that have

existed or well over 40 years.

Over the next ew weeks, our union is

embarking on a massive project to have

discussions with every member across the

country about whats going on with the

Harper government, what it means to our

collective agreements, and what we can do

about it. Look or the union presence in your

workplace, and join the conversation.

In Solidarity,

Robyn Benson, National President

IN THIS ISSUE

PSAC 2012 Leadership Summit ....................................................3

Bargaining updates

Recent union victories ..................................................................4

PSAC & your community ...............................................................6

PSAC campaigns & news bries ...................................................7

10 historical victories ...................................................................8

Our Union Voice is a quarterly publication o the Public Service Alliance o Canada. Representing180,000 members, PSAC is one o Canadas largest unions and is afliated with the Canadian Labour

Congress and internationally to Public Services International and UNI Global Union.

Editor: Cezary Gesikowski

Editorial Board: Mariam Abou-Dib, Steve Jelly, Louise Laporte, Gaby Levesque, Kerry Pither

Design, layout and production: Janet Jorgensen

Translation: PSAC Language Services

ISSN: 1718-8652

Public Service Alliance o Canada, 233 Gilmour Street, Ottawa ON K2P 0P1 613-560-4200

Ce journal est aussi disponible en ranais sous le titre Le Rassembleur.

SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSSign up at www.psac.com/signup to receive the latest

email news about collective bargaining and much more.

Vol. 7, N 1 Spring 2013

EDITORIAL

2 I Our Union Voice I Spring 2013

A message from the PSAC National President

Government cuts affect us all

Ever since the Harper Government decided

to pay o the decit on the backs opublic sector workers, my oce has been

receiving lists o aected employees. These

pages and pages o names represent real

people: our members, your riends, amily and

co-workers. They are all acing uncertainty,

and in many cases unemployment, through

absolutely no ault o their own.

The cuts are about more than just job loss.

Theyre about the disappearance o services

that all Canadians rely on. When government

services disappear, along with the people

who provide them, we are all aected.

Our union, along with concerned Canadians

in communities across the country, has been

working hard to save services and protect

jobs. Weve also been using our collective

agreement provisions to help members cope

with the impact o the budget cuts. We

negotiated those provisions, just like weve

won air wages, health and saety protections,

sick leave, and all o the other benets that

we can count on.

The union dues we pay every month ensure

that we get the protection o strong collective

agreements, regular pay increases, and the

right to be represented in a grievance process.

But they pay or so much more than that.

This issue oOur Union Voice is ull o the

work that we do and the victories we have

achieved.

The improvements weve made or ourselves

have helped other workers do the same,

contributing to a high standard o living

or everyone. A rising tide lits all boats.

Unortunately, Stephen Harpers government

does not share our unions commitment to

strong public service and a higher quality o

lie or all. We are now acing government

proposals to weaken our ability as a union

to do our job: proposals that would restrict

our unions right to collect dues rom our

members and control how we spend our own

resources rather than leave those decisions in

the hands o members.

Bill C-377, now beore the Senate, is the

rst blow to our union rights. As the Tory

Honourable Senator Hugh Segal stated in the

Senate Chambers, this bill is about a nanny

state; it has an anti-labour bias running

rampant; and it diminishes the imperative

o ree speech, reedom o assembly and ree

collective bargaining.

The next blow will likely come in the orm

o another private members bill, or perhaps

in yet another government omnibus bill,

that will legislate away our negotiated union

security clauses. These are the clauses that

give union members the right to decide their

dues and obligate the employer to deduct and

Photo:CezaryGesikowski

PSAC on the Internet Visit us or the latest news rom PSAC and

other noteworthy items we share on:

[email protected]/psac.nationalyoutube.com/user/psacapc

ickr.com/people/psac-apc Keep in touch with Robyn Benson on:

acebook.com/RobynBensonPSACAFPCor on Twitter@BensonRobyn:twitter.com/BensonRobyn

Contact Chris Aylward, PSAC National Vice-President on Twitter @ChrisAylwardVP:

twitter.com/ChrisAylwardVP

Get the latest insights and opinions romPSAC leaders and join the conversation onHeadwinds. Visitwww.aec-cea.ca

The cuts are about more

than just job loss. Theyre

about the disappearance of

services that all Canadians

rely on. When government

services disappear, along

with the people who provide

them, we are all affected.

Idle No More participants

rally on Parliament

Hill to protest the

governments inaction

on Aboriginal issues.

Photo:Ceza

ryGesikowski


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Spring 2013 I Our Union Voice I 5

PSAC gets improved wage ratesor First Nations Police ofcersPSAC members who work as police ocers or the Treaty Three Police

Service in Kenora ON have been awarded the same wage rates as their

colleagues, the Peace Ocers o the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

This is an enormous victory, said Sharon DeSousa, PSAC Regional

Executive Vice-President or Ontario.

First Nations Police ocers have the same duties and responsibilities

as the OPP, and serve the same population. Recognizing the true

value o their service to First Nations communities, and paying them

appropriately, is long overdue.

The victory came in the orm o an interest arbitration award issued on

December 3, 2012. The Treaty Three Police Service provides policing

services to 23 First Nations communities in northwestern Ontario.

The new rates o pay come into eect on January 13, 2013. The collective

agreement will expire in March, 2014. Visit http://ow.ly/jVL4m

Haliax Airport Commissionaires ratiy

collective agreementCommissionaires at Haliaxs Staneld International Airport PSAC local

85100 voted April 12 to accept a tentative agreement reached with

Commissionaires Nova Scotia.

We are proud o this agreement, says Jeannie Baldwin, Regional

Executive Vice-President o the Public Service Alliance o Canada. It

was long-ought and hard-won.

The 175 members o local 85100 provide security, ground transportation

and parking services at the airport.

The agreement improves language on management rights, discipline,

holidays, and the grievance process. The agreement also contains modest

economic increases retroactive to January 1, 2011. The agreement expires

at the end o 2014.

Many commissionaires are veterans (military, police and RCMP), ormembers o veterans amilies. Their specialized skills in the security eld

are integral to airport operations and the saety o the traveling public.

The gains contained in this agreement refect the important work we

do, and are a move in the right direction, says Local President Miles

States. Its hard or veterans to get the respect we deserve.

Elated members rom the Haliax Airport Commissionaires

welcome a tenative agreement which recognizes their fght or

labour standards.

Photo:LesleyThompson

PSAC negotiates new collective

agreement or museum workers withimproved job security and wageincreasesPSAC members at the Canadian Science and Technology Museum

Corporation have approved a new collective agreement.

Members voted overwhelmingly in avour o the three year agreement

on May 9, 2013.

The agreement includes:

New job security protections or employees

New rights or casuals and students

Seniority rights in the context o scheduling, stafng and both

layo and recall Wage increases in each o the three years

Photo:CezaryGesikowski

Joint Learning Programdelivers its 2000thworkshop amid growingdemandOn October 31, 2012, the Joint Learning

Program (JLP) delivered its 2,000th workshop.

The program has reached more than 40,000participants rom 50 organizations, engaging

4,000 organizers.

It took 40 months to deliver the programs rst 1,000 workshops,

between January 2007 and March 2010, while the last 1,000 were

delivered in only 30 months. To program coordinators, this means

interest is picking up.

They attribute the programs success to thousands o people in the public

service who are committed to ostering dialogue and improving labour

relations.

The program was set up to improve labour relations, and increase

understanding o the roles o management and union.

The JLP oers workshops in six areas: Understanding the Collective

Agreement, Union-Management Consultation, Creating a Harassment-

ree Workplace, Respecting Dierences/Anti-discrimination, Employment

Equity and Duty to Accommodate: Building an Inclusive Workplace.

As o 2011, all union members and their supervisors within the core

public administration are eligible to participate in the JLP.

To obtain more inormation on the JLP, participate in a workshop,

organize a workshop, or become a acilitator, please visitjlp-pam.ca

Check out why unions today matter more than ever! Go to the PSAC websiteat psac-apc.com or visit us on Facebook at acebook.com/psac.national


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PSAC & YOUR COMMUNITY

Agriculture Local 30048 in

Lethbridge, AB undertook

several inventive and effective

initiatives in their workplace

at the Lethbridge Research

Centre to raise money and

awareness.

Season of giving

Local members got together or the Holiday

Giving Project to knit or crochet a toque, scar,

mitts, or socks to donate to the Lethbridge

Interaith Food Bank. In total, the Local gave100 handmade items and a nancial donation.

We are consciously trying to re-engage

our membership and keep things un, says

Shannan Little, Human Rights Rep or Local

30048. Were trying to think o ways to do

this that encourages solidarity. I want to

make the place I work the best it can be, and

the people in it happy. When we really need

something, we will have the buy-in rom

members because we like each other and take

care o each other.

Go with the mo!

In November, the local supported prostatecancer and male mental health initiatives

by registering a Movember team, comprised

o PSAC and PISPC members, and selling

Movember themed buttons to help raise unds.

Jan Bigras participated in the undraiser or

the ourth year in a row, ater raising $1,200

last year.

This year, I was approached to lead a team

at my workplace, Bigras explains. I gladly

stepped orward and lead ve other men

at our centre in growing a moustache. The

Movember buttons that our Local produced

really caught on and helped spread the word.

The team collected $2,000 to add to

the Canadian total o $37 million, more

money than any other country raised or

the Movember campaign. In all, 247,066

Canadians raised unds and awareness or

Prostate Cancer Canada and the Canadian

Male Health Network.

The main reason why I joined up was the

passing o both my grandathers to cancer.

Though this campaign is ocused on prostate

cancer, I eel that Im giving something to a

greater cause: cancer research in general.

We are all affected

Earlier this year, the local banded together to

promote PSACs We Are All Affected campaign

by tracking spending in their community to

demonstrate how PSAC members contribute to

the local economy. Ater compiling the data,

they took out an ad in theLethbridge Herald.

We were thinking about things we could

do that werent typical and decided, rather

than talk about cuts to services, talk about

money that wont be spent in the community

i ederal employees lose their jobs, explains

Little. Our Local has a lot o science people

who like to do this kind o thing. Some othem were real ly excited.

They ollowed up on the ad by distributing

fyers in the community, contacting city

councilors, and local businesses, writing

a letter to the editor o the local paper and

participating in a radio interview.

I think a lot o people hadnt thought o it in

this way, says Little. When we went around

talking to businesses, some recognized the

impact cuts to public services would have, but

others didnt and it made them think about it

in a dierent way. Were losing people with

good jobs that can aord to come to theirrestaurant or store.

The idea or a resh community action caught

the attention o more than just local residents

in Albertas ourth largest city, with other

locals replicating the idea throughout PSAC.

Members across Canada heard about the

action and a lot o others have said wow

this is a great idea. Its made people think o

dierent actions to try, rather than what they

typical ly do.

PSAC part of campaign

to Protect the Prairie

PSAC is part oProtectThePrairie.ca a cam-

paign supported by those who value the

natural beauty o our prairie grasslands and

want to protect what is let o them.

The ederal government has passed

responsibility or these lands back to the

provinces o Saskatchewan and Manitoba,

walking away rom decades o work conserving

and stewarding these natural wonders. For

its part, Saskatchewans government has

announced will sell its portion o the protected

land to the highest bidder.

Our objective is to stop this reck less approach

and make sure that balanced use, conservation

and environmental protection guarantees are

rmly in place beore decisions about the

uture are taken.

Visit the site or more details:

http://www.protecttheprairie.ca

Educating the public on the cutsOver a thousand people have visited the We Are All Aected kiosk at dierent

locations in the Fredericton and Oromocto area. Those who stopped at the table

hosted by UNDE and the Fredericton District Labour Council had a chance to learn

more about the impact o job cuts in their region and o the negative eects the

EI reorm would have on their community. We talked to them about acts, about

how the Federal and Provincial Governments are only telling what they would like

them to believe. Even Conservative supporters who came to our table let with a

dierent point o view. We have received great support and encouragement rom

many people who were happy to hear that nally someone is standing up or

them, said Morris Shannon, President o UNDE Local 60303.

Lethbridge PSAC Local shines in 2012

PSAC members collect a minivanull o ood in BarrhavenNational Capital Regional Council chair and Barrhaven resident David Lanthier

(let) spent Sunday December 16, 2012 prowling the streets o Ottawa suburbs

Barrhaven and Nepean looking or ood.

The warmly dressed PSAC members were canvassing or canned ood and dry

goods to give to the Ottawa Food Bank. Once again, Barhaven and Nepean

residents demonstrated their generosity and it took only a ew hours to ll

Lanthiers minivan.

NCR REVP Larry Rousseau also took part in the ood drive. Youve got to admire

them, Rousseau said. PSAC members in the region know they may lose their

jobs, yet they spent a Sunday collecting ood or those who need it the most. Theyhave all my respect.

Photo:AlainCossette

From let: Robert Barrieau and Chie Shop Steward,

Patty Maxwell o UNDE Local 60303


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Spring 2013 I Our Union Voice I 7

IN MEMORIAMBrother Howard Willems died November

8, 2012. Howard worked as an inspector

with the CFIA or more than 30 years beore

retiring in early 2012. His involvement with

PSAC spanned decades and included co-

charing Local and Regional Occupational

Health and Saety (OHS) Committees

and sitting on CFIAs National OHS

Policy Committee. Ater being diagnosed

with mesothelioma, an asbestos related

cancer o the lungs, Howard dedicated

the fnal years o his lie to advocating

or asbestos awareness and protection.

He turned despair into determination and

never stopped fghting. All who worked

with Howard will remember him as the

embodiment o hope and optimism.

PSAC CAMPAIGNS/NEWS BRIEFS

NEWS BRIEFS

Robyn Benson tells parliamentary committee:sexual harassment complaints process keeps people romcoming orward

PSAC National President Robyn Benson told the Standing Committee on the Status o Women

January 29, 2013 that the ederal governments difcult and protracted complaint process may

keep sexual harassment victims rom coming orward.

Benson asked or improvements in the process, or the government to reafrm its commitment to

eliminating sexual harassment and other orms o discrimination and violence against women, and

or a national action plan on violence against women. The Committee meetings were webcast on

ParlVu at http://ow.ly/jVN2E

Employment equity and the duty to accommodate underworkorce adjustment

PSAC has worked to promote employment equity in the workplace. And it has paid o: things

are not perect but the representation o women, racially visible and Aboriginal persons as well as

persons with a disability has steadily increased over the years.

But what happens to employment equity during the workorce adjustment process?

The Employment Equity Act says the employer must be proactive not only with hiring, but also

keeping track o separations (i.e. terminations, layos, resignations) o equity group members.

The employer must also analyze its policies, practices and systems to ensure that potential

discrimination is addressed. Get the details on our website: http://ow.ly/k4Dwk

Mission statement o the National Board o Directors

The National Board o Directors stands united in its determination to return to our members a sense

o pride in their union, a belie in the principles o trade unionism, and a confdence in their elected

leaders. In all that we do, we shall be guided by the need to champion issues which are relevant to

our members and speak to their experiences in the current economic and political climate. Read the

entire statement: http://ow.ly/jVN

More cuts to services or Canadas veterans

The ederal government is closing nine Veterans Aairs Canada district ofces across the country,

leaving veterans without access to in-person services including counselling across Canada.

Ofces will close on February 28, 2014, bringing the number o job cuts at Veterans Aairs to 400

since last April. Locations aected are Sydney NS, Charlottetown PEI, Corner Brook NL; Windsor

and Thunder Bay, ON, Brandon, MB; Saskatoon SK and Prince George and Kelowna in BC.

Veterans in these communities will be able to pick up orms at Service Canada ofces, but sta

there cannot access veterans fles. Veterans will have to rely on phone or online assistance.

Read more on our website: http://ow.ly/jVOcM

The elected ocers o the PSAC havea new channel o communication thatwe hope will interest you, involve you,

even occasionally provoke you. Get thelatest insights and opinions rom PSACleaders and join the conversation onHeadwinds. Visit www.aec-cea.ca

Heawinds

Proudly defending sick leavefor our members

The government has been making a lot o noise lately about bringing ederal governmentworkers sick leave in line with the non-unionized private sector. We wont let that

happen.

Comparing sick leave in the public and private sectors points to a problem with private sector

sick leave. For starters, people without sick leave either dont work and dont get paid, or go

to work sick, which can spread illness. For women, who carry more o the burden or amily

responsibilities, and older workers, who get sick more oten, this means running out o sick

leave sooner.

But the biggest dierence in the public sector is that unions have negotiated better plans or

supporting workers with long-term illnesses and disabilities or who have sick amily members.

Many private sector employers cant or wont oer long-term disability benets to their

employees, who are oten orced to stop working altogether when aced with a serious illness.

Good sick leave provisions are good or society. We suggest this government start thinking

about how it can improve sick leave benets in the private sector, or example, by investing ina program to help small businesses provide essential sick and disability leave benets to their

employees.

Wed also like to see healthier government workplaces. Disability claims in the ederal

government have increased 37 per cent since 2006, and Health Canadas Employee Assistance

Program, which puts ederal government workers in touch with mental health proessionals,

saw a huge spike in calls in 2012 as cuts rom that years budget were being implemented.

With thousands more cuts to be implemented over the next ew years, this government should

be ensuring that workers have the support they need, not accusing them o being the problem.

The back page is a detachable poster.


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TOP10historical

PSAC gains for members19691969

Sick leave provisions

The federal public service sick leave plan isimproved to include injury-on-duty leave.

19731973Vacation leave

Federal public service members gainthe right to carry-over vacation leave.

19751975

Equal pensionbenefits for women

Women in the federal public sectoracquire equal pension benefits.

19791979Hours of work thatmeet our needs

PSAC signs the first contract that providesfor realistic scheduling of flexible hours.

19801980Maternity & Family Leave

PSAC bargains its first paid maternity leaveand a family-leave package for the Clerical

and Regulatory (CR) group.

19901990Recognition ofsame-sex spouses

PSAC wins a ground-breakingre-definition of spouse to includesame-sex relationships in itsagreement with the Yukon government.

19981998Pay Equity

A Canadian Human Rights Tribunal awardspay equity to PSACs female-dominatedbargaining units in the federal public service.After the Federal Court upholds the Tribunalsdecision, PSAC negotiates a settlementworth over $3-billion for more than 200,000current and former members.

19931993Protection formembers with disabilities

PSAC successfully negotiates withConfederation Life to ensure thatmembers with disabilities, otherwise

in good health, will be approved forlife insurance coverage.

19841984Health & Safety

The union conducts its Black Paperlobbying campaign that succeeds ingaining health and safety protection forfederal public sector workers under theCanada Labour Code.

19881988Vision, hearing& dental benefits

The PSAC wins 100% employerpayment of dental plan premiums forfederal public sector workers.

For further information

on PSAC victories

and achievements

for members visit

psac-afpc.com


10 HISTORICAL VICTORIES

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our union voice - spring 2013 english

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