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Parks bargaining team heads back to the table July 16

PSAC’s Parks bargaining team will resume negotiations with the Parks Canada Agency from July 16 – 18 in the national capital region. Our team is eager to make further progress towards a fair collective agreement for over 4,000 employees working at Parks Canada locations nationwide.

Last time at the table:

Last month, PSAC’s bargaining team continued to push for demands that would establish parity with the core public administration and discussed important issues such as mental health in the workplace and improvements to maternity / parental leave. They also:

  • tabled language that would improve Park Wardens’ terms and conditions of employment,
  • proposed the creation of a joint committee on child care, and
  • made a presentation to the employer on the benefits of joining the National Joint Council (NJC).

Be informed and get involved:

  • Sign up for bargaining updates.
  • Make sure your membership information is up to date.
  • Check out the Parks Canada bargaining team page on our national website.
  • Show support for your bargaining team on Facebook and Twitter.
  • Talk to your colleagues about your work contract, benefits, and protections.
  • Participate in any upcoming information sessions in your region.

Stay informed and spread the word!

 

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For a Healthy Workplace – Terrasses de la Chaudière

PSAC in the NCR, in partnership with UNE, GSU, UCTE, UJSE and AGR, are campaigning to address several urgent health and safety issues in Terrasses de la Chaudière. As part of the first phase of our campaign, we’ve notified all department management in the complex and have yet to hear a substantial response.

Sign up today and get involved!

We are organizing to address overcrowding, air quality, physical symptoms reported by workers (headaches, dizziness, increased fatigue and more) and new reports of legionella as recently as April 8, 2019 (French only article).

What we want:

  • A preliminary meeting with department deputy ministers and assistant deputy ministers in each department
  • A report from each department on how these issues and other related issues are being addressed, and will be resolved
  • A formal joint interdepartmental committee across the complex (representatives from each building) that would include relevant labour representatives to ensure that information sharing, actions and follow-ups are being addressed in a timely fashion.

Sign up today and get involved!

 

Let’s fight for adequate working spaces, clean air and healthy buildings at Terrasses de la Chaudière!

 

 

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Important Information on Phoenix for UNE Members

Do you have a problem with your pay?

The Phoenix Pay System continues to affect a high percentage of UNE members. While the Union lobbies for a solution, here’s the latest on what you can do if you experience pay issues.

First, the Union has worked with your employer to create Steps 1-3 to help you within your workplace. It’s imperative that you follow these steps before escalating your issues to UNE.

  • On the chart, you can see there are three steps to complete within your workplace before contacting the Union.
  • Note the Case Priority Order. It’s important that you have realistic expectations as so many employees are experiencing pay problems.
  • Check out the bubbles outlining case-specific examples.

Finally, if your issues are still not resolved, move on to Step 4. Ensure you include all the information, especially a statement where you give written consent to PSAC to escalate your file to the Pay Centre and your PRI (Personal Record Identifier).

You can download a PDF of the graphic here.

If you have any questions, please email us at info@une-sen.org

 

 

 

 

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Quebec Regional Seminar

Click here to register online.

The Quebec Regional Team invites you to participate in the Regional Seminar scheduled to take place at the Hotel Pur, in Quebec City on August 23-25, 2019.

This event will offer presentations and workshop training that will give you the knowledge and confidence to help your members. It’s also a great place to meet active members just like you and forge long-lasting friendships.

For a sneak-peek at what else we have in store for you, check out the Seminar agenda.

The UNE will fund the following delegates per Local:

  • A Local President or designate should be one of the delegates;
  • A member who has not previously attended a seminar should be given priority;
  • Locals will elect a youth delegate to attend the Regional Seminar (age 35 or younger as of December 31, 2020).

Locals are required to encourage the participation of equity members. Locals may send additional members at their own expense.

You must register by Friday, June 28, 2019. Unfortunately, we will not consider late registrations.

Should you have any questions about the Seminar please contact Suzanne Boucher at events@une-sen.org.

Delegates to the Regional Seminar should arrive for registration at 7:00p.m. Friday evening, August 23, 2019. Accommodations will be arranged for delegates to spend two nights at the Hotel Pur for the Friday and Saturday night of the Seminar as activities are scheduled to take place into the evenings. The Seminar ends on Sunday, September 25 at 1:00p.m.

In solidarity,

Yvon Beaudoin, Regional Vice-President, Quebec
Yann Boudreau, Assistant Regional Vice-President, Quebec
Etienne Mathieu, Assistant Regional Vice-President, Quebec
Carole Maillet, Regional Representative for Human Rights, Quebec

Click here to register online.

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Negotiations resume for Parks Canada members

Today, PSAC’s Parks bargaining team will be returning to Ottawa to negotiate with Parks Canada representatives. Meetings will take place over three days from May 28 to 30.

Last time, PSAC’s Parks negotiating team saw some movement at the bargaining table, but in small increments. Although the employer did come to the table with more language, they still showed reluctance to move on major items.

WATCH: What’s at stake for Parks Canada workers

Members of the Parks negotiating team discuss the important issues on the bargaining table this round and share what members can do to support the bargaining process.

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An Open Letter to Our Development Members at Global Affairs Canada Regarding the Foreign Services – International Assistance Initiative

The Union of National Employees (UNE) has received an update from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) regarding their intended implementation of the Foreign Services – International Assistance Initiative (FS-IA).

The staffing initiative is primarily directed to PM employees, with developmental assignments abroad “at post”; an internal staffing process at Global Affairs Canada involving Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) members with UNE, along with some EC members of the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE), and additional members of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC).

Global Affairs Canada intends to staff all positions at post at the FS classification, which is stated to be as many as about 150 people, with an additional 150 positions tethered at GAC headquarters locations. The Employer has launched its new assignment cycle and shared its Broadcast Message and Q&A with the Bargaining Agents. It is also available for employees on the GAC Intranet.

The FS classification would mean:

  • Employees willing to change their term and conditions of employment to reflect “rotationality” a term describing the necessity to be transplanted from post to post depending on the operational necessities of the employer;
  • “Rotationality” would last for the remainder of the employee’s career, an assignment to post, followed by a brief repatriation to Canada, and then awaiting assignment to other posts, or a direct transfer from post to post, depending on specific operational circumstances. These employees would also have post priority as “Group 1 employees” that can bid on post at the 177 missions abroad, during a Post selection period;
  • Employees would be compelled to complete a linguistic profile of CCC within 2 years of rotational assignment, as a term and condition of employment;
  • Employees would be subject to a the Treasury Board rules regarding promotion-transfer, should they be found qualified based on the premise of a “best fit” to serve in a rotational pool of FS members at Global Affairs Canada;
  • Any current employees changing classifications to “FS” would also be subject to a change of bargaining agents; namely, the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO).

UNE has several concerns that remain outstanding following the latest update:

  • Career progression for employees that prefer mobility to post on a “single assignment” basis and being able to choose; based on personal preference and family status during a post selection period, as compared to a permanent commitment to working abroad for the remainder of their public service career;
  • The UNE is still waiting for the employer to share its findings of the gender- based demographics associated with the developmental community;
  • A potential career-limiting path within the Public Service, should developmental employees choose not to become rotational, or worse, not be qualified for a rotational posting, yet still wish to be considered for a limited number of posts after all FS employees have picked over the preferential postings;
  • Employees that are not able to meet the linguistic profile or the Security Clearance of the FS positions, should be permitted to return to their existing operational cadres, without halt or detriment to their career progression, and to their respective bargaining agents;
  • The Union of National Employees remains committed to our members and will engage as-necessary through fulsome consultations on the Foreign Service International Assistance file;
  • UNE continues to request that a sub-committee study the impact of its implementation, on all FS employees in rotation, versus those employees filling gaps in rotationality by their continued commitment to serve abroad for the benefit of the international community and the Government of Canada.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Kevin King
National President,
Union of National Employees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Image credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=678814

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Atlantic Regional Seminar

The Atlantic Regional Team invites you to participate in the Regional Seminar scheduled to take place at the Delta Hotel St. John’s, in St. John’s, NL on June 21 – 23, 2019.

Click here to register online.

This event will offer presentations and workshop training that will give you the knowledge and confidence to help your members. It’s also a great place to meet active members just like you and forge long-lasting friendships.

For a sneak-peek at what else we have in store for you, check out the seminar agenda.

The Union of National Employees will fund the following delegates per local:

  • A Local President or designate should be one of the delegates;
  • A member who has not previously attended a seminar should be given priority;
  • Locals will elect a youth delegate to attend the regional seminar (age 35 or younger as of December 31, 2020).

Locals are required to encourage the participation of equity members. Locals may send additional members at their own expense.

For information on travel, accommodation, accessibility and assistance for persons with disabilities, please consult the cheat sheet.

You must register by Friday, May 24, 2019. Unfortunately, we will not consider late registrations.

Should you have any questions about the Seminar please contact suzanne.boucher@une-sen.org.

Delegates to the Regional Seminar should arrive for Registration at 7:00 p.m. Friday evening, June 21, 2019. Accommodations will be arranged for delegates to spend two nights at the Delta St. John’s Hotel for the Friday, and Saturday night of the Seminar as activities are scheduled to take place into the evenings. The Seminar ends on Sunday, June 23 at 1:00p.m.

In solidarity,

Your Regional Team:

Angela Decker, Regional Vice-President, Atlantic
Brian Morrissey, Assistant Regional Vice-President, Atlantic (N.B. and P.E.I.)
Bill Bennett, Assistant Regional Vice-President, Atlantic (N.L./Lab.)
Helen Zebedee, Regional Representative for Human Rights, Atlantic

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Regional Seminar – Saskatchewan and Manitoba

The Manitoba and Saskatchewan Regional Teams invite you to participate in the Regional Seminar scheduled to take place at the Delta Regina Hotel on May 3 – 5, 2019.

This event will offer presentations and workshop training that will give you the knowledge and confidence to help your members. It’s also a great place to meet active members just like you and forge long-lasting friendships.

For a sneak-peek at what else we have in store for you, check out the seminar agenda.

The Union of National Employees will fund the following delegates per local:

  • A Local President or designate should be one of the delegates;
  • A member who has not previously attended a seminar should be given priority;
  • Locals will elect a youth delegate to attend the regional seminar (age 35 or younger as of December 31, 2020).

Locals are required to encourage the participation of equity members. Locals may send additional members at their own expense.

For information on travel, accommodation, accessibility and assistance for persons with disabilities, please consult the cheat sheet.

You must register by Friday, April 19, 2019. Unfortunately, we will not consider late registrations.

Should you have any questions about the Seminar please contact suzanne.boucher@une-sen.org.

Delegates to the Regional Seminar should arrive for Registration at 7:00p.m. Friday evening, May 3, 2019. Accommodations will be arranged for delegates to spend two nights at the Delta Regina Hotel for the Friday, and Saturday night of the Seminar as activities are scheduled to take place into the evenings. The Seminar ends on Sunday, May 5 at 1:00p.m.

Click here to register online.

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Local Presidents’ Conference – That’s a Wrap

The UNE would like to thank all 180 members who came out for this years’ UNE Local Presidents’ Conference.

Over the weekend, participants heard from an impressive lineup of guest speakers, engaged in panel discussions and gathered together in employer and regional caucuses.

On Friday, Maple Creek Saskatchewan’s Omar Murray gave a powerful review of the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919. CLC’s Larry Rousseau then fired the group up even more before they headed out in bus loads to the Prime Minister’s Office with messages of support for our bargaining teams, dismay at the Phoenix debacle and solidarity with Indigenous Canadians cheering on Bill C-262.

Upon return from the rally, the crowd heard from NDP Member of Parliament, Ms. Ruth Ellen Brosseau who spoke of her rise in politics and how she challenges the current Liberal government. Then it was off to workshops within employer groups before ending a busy first full day.

Saturday kicked off with regional caucuses and then a presentation by Mr. Alexandre St-Jean from the Office of the Ombudsman, Ethics and Conflict Resolution at Treasury Board. A panel discussion on Duty to Accommodate with UNE National Labour Relations Officers then capped off the morning.

In the afternoon, participants worked in smaller groups to learn about challenges, experiences and tools available to them as Local Presidents.

Sunday morning, attendees heard from the five National Equity Representatives for Human Rights on their personal experiences and the importance of inclusion at the local, regional and national levels.

UNE National President Kevin King closed out the conference.

Resources from the Conference are available on the UNE website at www.une-sen.org/events/conferences.

The component now turns its event focus to a series of Regional Seminars and the upcoming Women’s Conference scheduled for September 10-12, 2019.

 

Resources:

Winnipeg General Strike CBC Documentary (English only)
https://youtu.be/V1_oKcXn8vs

E-Petition for Parks Canada Historical Artifacts – https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-2048

Ms. Ruth Ellen Brosseau,  MP for Berthier-Maskinongé (Quebec)
https://www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/Ruth-Ellen-Brosseau(71357)

Larry Rousseau, Executive Vice-President, CLC
http://canadianlabour.ca/about-clc/our-officers/larry-rousseau-executive-vice-president

Photos from the Conference are available on the UNE Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Union.NE.Syndicat.EN/

And Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/une.sen/

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We Don’t Say…

The UNE Human Rights Committee is proud to launch its series of “We Don’t Say” photos with messages from members highlighting language that marginalizes the five UNE equity groups: LGBTQ2+ people, women, persons with disabilities, aboriginal peoples and racialized persons. The committee was inspired by the Duke University students’ “You Don’t Say” campaign that gained popularity on Twitter. Since its debut in 2015, other university student associations have also jumped on board.

Kate Hart, UNE Assistant National Vice-President for Human Rights, brought the project to the attention of the UNE Human Rights Committee. “This campaign is great for UNE members because it is so inclusive,” said Hart. “Our proud union members have taken the opportunity to be featured in this project and we were pleasantly surprised by how many people wanted to participate. We also learned a great deal about each other because many voiced issues that were dear to them – issues such as suicide, racism and mental health. There are words related to these that feed stigmas or offend us or hurt us emotionally. Our hope is that the photos and their messages will help us educate one another.”

The photos will be posted on social media platforms including Instagram, Twitter and Facebook every month. We encourage you to share them with your family, friends and colleagues.

For more information, contact the UNE Human Rights Committee.