Posted on

Audit Services Group workers vote to strike after latest offer from management

The Audit Services Group has voted to give their bargaining team a strong strike mandate after talks collapsed at the bargaining table between PSAC and the Office of the Auditor General of Canada.

PSAC members at the Office of the Auditor General of Canada support the audit work the OAG conducts to ensure that Canada’s federal and territorial governments are accountable and productive. These members perform a wide range of technical, professional, administrative and clerical duties in support of the Office of the Auditor General. 

But members of Union of National Employees Local 70153 at OAG have been without a contract since September 2018.

Among the key outstanding issues are achieving a pay grid like almost every other group in the federal public sector, fair economic increases, and maintaining pay parity for certain classifications with non-union workers at OAG who received significant increases.

“PSAC members at the Office of the Auditor General have looked at the numbers and the employer’s latest offer doesn’t add up,” said Alex Silas, Regional Executive Vice-President of PSAC’s National Capital Region.

At the end of June, both the union and the employer presented their proposals before a Public Interest Commission hearing. The PIC report was released on August 25th and the Commission sided with the union’s proposals. 

“These workers just want fairness and to get what even the non-union workers at the OAG have received. The Public Interest Commission agrees with what we’re saying, but there’s been no movement from the employer on these key issues,” said Silas.

Despite the recommendations from the Public Interest Commission hearing, management at the OAG has not brought any significant changes to their offer, instead returning to the bargaining table with the same proposals.

“It’s time for OAG management to return to the table and respect the findings of the Public Interest Commission and respect these members and the important work they do,” said Kevin King, President of UNE.

“It’s not an easy thing to vote to strike and this is a first for these members at the Office of the Auditor General. I want to assure these members that PSAC has their back and will support their fight for a fair contract,” added Silas.

Posted on

Your rights at work: Vaccinations and COVID-19 (UP-TO- DATE)

The federal government released its mandatory vaccination policy for federal public service workers on October 6, mandating vaccinations for all employees in federally regulated workplaces, including more than 160,000 PSAC members.

Read PSAC’s statement in response to the federal vaccination policy.

We have compiled frequently asked questions to provide PSAC members with as much information as possible on vaccinations in the workplace. This page will be regularly updated to reflect the changing circumstances.

Posted on

Update on Phoenix damages implementation

Current PSAC members working for the federal public service received general damages as part of their March 3 pay. However, several issues remain outstanding: 

  • former PSAC members — including retirees — are still waiting for their general damages payments 
  • current and former members who experienced out-of-pocket expenses or severe losses due to Phoenix are still waiting for the launch of a new claims process
  • the Canada Revenue Agency’s decision to tax the general damages payment

General damages for former and retired PSAC members 

Despite requests to accelerate the delivery of general damages payments for former and retired members, the government has set out to make the process available by the fall of 2021. We are disappointed by this lengthy implementation period. However, following pressure by the union, the government has indicated that eligible former members will be provided a more precise timeline for when they will be able to apply for damages payments by the end of July. We will update you at that time.

The government has also updated its general damages webpage so that former members can access forms and resources specific to PSAC members. Previously, former members reported receiving incorrect information, intended for members of other unions, via the government’s website.  

Out-of-pocket expenses and severe losses 

As part of the Phoenix damages settlement, the government must provide a new claims process for current and former members who experienced out-of-pocket expenses and severe personal and financial impacts due to Phoenix. The government has also targeted fall 2021 as the deadline to finalize the process and make it available to members. At PSAC’s urging for more clarity on timelines, the employer has agreed to provide a more detailed timeline by the end of July. We will update you at that time. 

Taxability of Phoenix general damages 

PSAC maintains that general damages paid to all employees for “stress, aggravation, and pain and suffering” and for the late implementation of collective agreements are non-taxable. We continue to explore all legal avenues to reverse CRA’s decision to tax general damages paid to members and will provide updates as they become available.

Please be sure to keep your contact information up to date via the member portal to receive all the latest updates on PSAC’s Phoenix settlement. 

For more information about Phoenix damages, please check out our FAQ. 

Source: http://psacunion.ca/update-phoenix-damages-implementation

Posted on

Parks Canada: Members elect bargaining team and set priorities

Passion and commitment were on the agenda at the Parks Canada Agency’s National Virtual Bargaining Conference, held from May 31 to June 2. Delegates from the Union of National Employees (UNE) and the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE) came out of the conference more united than ever after electing their bargaining team and setting priorities for the new round of talks starting this summer.

Meet the Parks Canada Agency bargaining team:

  • Nicolas Angers
  • Alisha Campbell
  • Angela Decker
  • Birch Howard
  • Kassandra McKinnon
  • Omar Murray
  • Daniel Toutant
  • Jaison Van Tine

Alternates

  • Réginald Bernatchez
  • André Miller
  • Denis St-Onge

The bargaining team will be supported by the following PSAC staff:

  • John Eustace, negotiator
  • Djimy Theodore, researcher

Parks Canada Agency members proudly work to offer Canadians the best outdoor experience. The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected their work, but they stepped up to guarantee safe access to green spaces across the country. Their essential work in these uncertain times ensured that everyone could keep connecting with Canada’s rich natural and cultural heritage.

At the bargaining conference, members outlined the impact of the pandemic on their work and proposed solutions to improve their working conditions, all of which must be addressed with the agency.

Here is an overview of the key issues discussed at the conference:

Job security

In an agency where seasonal and student jobs are common, achieving job security is a top priority. Under the current system, precarious employment creates a lot of stress and is detrimental to mental health.

PSAC is committed to opposing all forms of precarious employment and ensure that all members have access to indeterminate employment.

Fair wages

 We must secure wage increases that reflect the rising cost of living as well as our members’ skills, professionalism and dedication. 

Many members have also experienced a widening wage gap compared to their private-sector counterparts. We need wage adjustments that keep up with the wages of those doing similar work both within and outside the federal public service.

Remote work

We believe that provisions governing remote work will be most effective if negotiated into collective agreements.

We must also ensure that remote work is free from remote surveillance and unreasonable performance expectations, that employers cover associated expenses and that concerns relating to accommodations, ergonomics and health and safety are addressed.

Contracting out and privatization

Contracting out and privatization of public services increase costs and risk to taxpayers, reduce the quality of services, erode the internal capacity of the public service, create precarious work, and undermine initiatives that address pay equity and systemic racism. 

We must tackle the alarming increase in contracting out of government work, including through temporary staffing agencies. 

Work-life balance

We must also expand leave provisions (e.g. 699 leave, family-responsibilities leave and sick leave) to improve work-life balance, which is especially critical for women, caregivers and those with disabilities. 

We also need to negotiate flexible work options that allow members to shape their workday to match their personal and family responsibilities. 

Violence and harassment

Workplace violence and harassment are a health and safety issue that can have severe physical and psychological consequences for members.

We need to build robust mechanisms to tackle these issues, such as mandatory training and support for members.

Languages rights

Our membership at Parks Canada includes many Indigenous members and several parks are located on traditional Indigenous territories.

In recognition of this, it’s necessary to decolonize our collective agreement. We want the agency to formally recognize Indigenous languages and provide an allowance to members who work in their Indigenous language.

Next steps

Over the next few months, the Parks Canada Agency bargaining team will meet to discuss the bargaining issues prioritized at the National Bargaining Conference and work on a final package of bargaining demands that will be exchanged with the employer. 

Make sure to keep your contact information up to date via the member portal to receive all the latest updates as we prepare to negotiate your next contract.

Posted on

Call for Nominations

Our union owes a great debt to countless members who put themselves forward and run as candidates for elected positions. Whether at the national, regional or local level, these individuals offer an invaluable service to their members.

During Convention, we will hold elections for the following positions:

• National President
• National Executive Vice-President
• National Vice-President for Human Rights
• Assistant National Vice-President for Human Rights
• Regional Vice-Presidents
• Assistant Regional Vice-Presidents
• Regional Human Rights Representatives
• Alternate Regional Human Rights Representatives
• Delegates and alternates to the PSAC Convention

Any member in good standing may run for any of these positions, whether or not they attend Convention. The nomination form is available on the website. If you wish to run for a position, please ensure that your form is sent to the attention of Ateau Zola.

Your form can be mailed, faxed or emailed no later than 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday September 15, 2021.

900-150 Isabella Street
Ottawa (ON) K1S 1V7
Fax: 613-560-4208
Email: ateau.zola@une-sen.org
Subject line: Nomination for Elected UNE Position

Nominations may also take place on the Convention floor for national positions and in the regional caucuses for any of the other positions. The forms are not required for delegates running from the floor.

If you are considering running for office, you should have a clear and complete understanding of our Policy FIN 9, which will give you all the important details about campaign spending limits and ethical considerations. All candidates must provide a written report of all expenses, even if no expenses are incurred.

Delegates are entitled to make informed decisions on issues which will be presented to them, including the election of UNE officers. Similarly, members who run for elected office within the UNE have the right and responsibility to communicate with Convention delegates. As a result, upon request, candidates are entitled to receive delegate personal contact information. Personal contact information includes name, address, phone number and email address. The personal contact information of delegates will be shared on a need-to-know basis only. Therefore, candidates may only obtain personal contact information on members who are entitled to vote on the position for which they are seeking elected office. Candidates may only use this information to communicate with delegates about their candidacy. They are also required to safeguard all personal contact information as required by our privacy policies. Any improper disclosure of this information or violation of this policy will be treated seriously and may result in discipline.

Posted on

UNE Masks Now Available

UNE masks are now available for members! If you would like to order one, you can do so on the UNE website.

There is no cost and we will ship directly to the address you provide. This is also a great way to keep your information up to date with us.

Please fee free to share the link with other members in your Local.

To order more than one mask, reach out to us at communications@une-sen.org and we will work with you to outfit your workplace.

Stay safe, and stay healthy!

Posted on

World Autism Awareness Day 2021

By Michael Freeman

People with autism find aspects of everyday life challenging. Interaction and communication with people, even people that are closest, may be difficult. These situations can be confusing to others and stress inducing to the person with autism.

Restricted interests, repetitive behaviours and difficulty with interactions and communications all affect a person with autism’s ability to function effectively in everyday life.

World Autism Awareness Day was established in December of 2007 to bring awareness of Autism to the fore and to ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) in 2013.

Autism can be diagnosed at any age but is referred to as a “developmental disorder” because signs and symptoms typically appear before the age of two.  Statistics show that autism is 4.3 times more prevalent in boys than girls.

Autism continues to be a focus of study, creating new developments in understanding aspects of the “disorder”.

Please take a few minutes to read or research about autism. Increase your knowledge. Develop your understanding. Discuss with friends and colleagues; some of whom may be living with autism or have family members that do.

Michael Freeman is the UNE National Equity Representative for People with Disabilities.

Posted on

UNE Triennial Convention Update – Going Virtual 2021

The 2021 UNE Triennial Convention has been rescheduled to be held virtually September 13-17, 2021.

If you have already registered, you will be contacted with updated information as it becomes available. Please note the new deadlines below if your Local has not yet elected delegates, alternates or observers.

Locals are encouraged to hold elections through virtual membership meetings.

NEW DATE – May 13, 2021 is the deadline for resolutions, delegate registration and for your Local to be in conformance.

Make sure your Local is in Conformance
You can only attend Convention if your Local is in conformance. For a complete list of documents needed from your Local, see the Convention section of the UNE website.

Elect Delegates and their Alternates
Delegates and alternates are elected during general Local meetings. The number of delegates per Local is determined by the number of members in good standing six months before the start of Convention as per UNE Bylaw 6, Section 11:

  1. Four to 100 members = one delegate;
  2. One delegate for each 100 members or portion thereof to a maximum of five delegates for any given Local.

Observers
Locals in conformance can also send observers to Convention at the Local’s expense. These members can attend Convention, but they cannot participate in debate or vote.

Submit Credential Forms
Credential forms for each delegate, alternate and observer must be submitted to UNE. Credential forms for delegates and alternates must include a copy of the general Local meeting minutes showing the election of those members. The credentials forms are available for download on the Convention section of the UNE website.

Registration Deadline

To be recognized as a delegate to Convention, members must complete the online registration and submit the following documents by May 13, 2021:

  1. Credential forms, including meeting minutes showing election of delegates and alternates;
  2. Local financial documents in conformance with UNE Bylaws and Policies.

Members who miss the deadline will not be able to participate on Convention committees and are considered late delegates. Late delegates are seated at Convention by way of procedural motion during the early stages of the opening of our Convention.

Questions about Convention Logistics and Registration?
We hope you will find all the answers on the Convention section of our website.

If you require additional information, please contact Suzanne Boucher, Convention Coordinator, at events@une-sen.org or at 613-560-4359 or 1-800-663-6685.

RESOLUTIONS

Option 1

Locals should appoint a Convention resolutions committee; these are normally made up of three to five members. Some Locals may prefer to appoint a committee for each resolution topic: constitution and bylaws, finance, and general resolutions. Your Local should issue a notice asking members to submit resolutions to your Convention resolutions committee. Allow plenty of time for the committee to prepare a report. Members of the committee should also be encouraged to submit their own resolutions. Each committee’s report and additional resolutions should be presented during a general membership meeting. This meeting should provide ample time to debate resolutions before members cast a vote.

Option 2

Any member in good standing can submit a resolution to Convention by having it co-signed by five other members in good standing.

Submit Your Resolution Online

You should submit your resolutions electronically on our website. Completing this process significantly reduces the time required to prepare resolutions for committee review in June. If you do not have internet access, you can submit your resolutions by mail or fax.

Submit Supporting Documentation

The resolutions you submit online must also be supported by hardcopy versions of either the signed minutes verifying that the resolution was adopted during a general membership meeting or the resolutions form co-signed by five other members in good standing. You can download the resolution template on our Convention page here.

Please send these hard copies to the attention of Ateau Zola by email at resolutions@une-sen.org.

You can also submit by fax at 613-560-5208, or by mail at: Union of National Employees 900-150 Isabella St. Ottawa (ON) K1S 1V7.

Resolutions received after May 13, 2021 will be deemed late and will be dealt with after all other resolutions.

Questions about resolutions?

Please contact Ateau Zola at resolutions@une-sen.org or at 613-560-4343 or 1-800-663-6685.

In Solidarity,

Kevin King
National President
Union of National Employees