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June 8: Support your bargaining teams!

June8

PSAC and other federal public service unions are calling on all members to help send a message to the new Liberal government by participating in a national action on June 8th.

  • The new Liberal government promised respect for federal public service employees. It said it would do things differently than the former Conservative government. Yet, it has been more than six months since the Liberals were elected and there has been no meaningful progress at any of the federal bargaining tables.
  • Treasury Board negotiators are still pushing the Conservative’s proposal to replace our sick leave with a short term disability plan.
  • They have proposed the same 0.5% per-year wage increase as the Conservative government. This does not reflect the cost of living and fair wage increases.

The Liberals have also failed to restore fair collective bargaining by refusing to repeal the unfair labour laws passed by the Conservatives.

Why is action needed?

PSAC’s bargaining teams have been at the bargaining table with Treasury Board three times since the new government came into power. We are also in bargaining with Parks Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and an important vote is underway at CRA. We need to tell the government to come to the table with new proposals – not recycled Conservative messages. A new government should give itself a new mandate.

The outcome of Treasury Board bargaining will set a pattern for others.  We need to send a message to the Liberal government before bargaining resumes in June that we expect a fair contract.

It’s time for members to send a message!

  • Contact your local union right away to find out what is planned for your workplace on June 8th.
  • Join together with members of all federal unions and show the Liberal government you expect it to live up to its promise of respect.
  • Go to psacunion.ca and sign up to receive more information about June 8th
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Celebrate Asian Heritage Month

AsianHeritage2016

By Jacqueline Nanali

Identity is the door that will open your soul.  I was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  My parents immigrated to Canada in the early 1970’s from the Philippines.  They spoke their language to one another, but did their best to adjust to the Canadian ways for my older brother and me.  Often conversations among the elders were spoken in their language and they would speak English to the children.

As a young girl, I remember at the Elementary School I attended I would learn the French language and the school also offered Filipino language classes.  Growing up, it didn’t really occur to me how language played such a large part in connecting with others.

My first visit to the Philippines in 1999 opened up a whole new experience.  I had the same hair, eyes, and skin colour as many of the girls I encountered, but they often asked me where I was from.  They all spoke the same language and it seemed as if they knew I did not belong.  When I spoke English, it confirmed their assumptions.  Some tried to communicate with me, while others didn’t attempt to.  As an adolescent, I wasn’t sure how that made me feel.  I didn’t realize until I returned to Canada, that the girls I met in the Philippines looked at me as if I was a Canadian, although we shared the same hair, eyes, skin colour and ethnicity.  Even though I was raised in Winnipeg, I would often be asked if I was born in the Philippines.

Being Asian Canadian is my identity.  I am not one, or the other . . . I am both.  For many first generation Asian immigrants, some may still have a deep connection with their native land.  Second generation Canadian-born Asians, like myself, seek that opportunity to learn about our parents, grandparents and ancestors.  However, being a third generation in today’s society speaks wavelengths about ethnicity and nationality.  Which is why I believe it is significant to take the time to learn and share stories about your identity because without it, Canada would not be known for its historical development of Asian Canadians.

Celebrate the 14th year of May 2016 as Asian Heritage Month in Manitoba:

May 8, 2016 – Steinbach where the local Asian community members will participate for the first time

May 11, 2016 – Canadian Museum for Human Rights Event – Asian Fusion

May 12, 2016 – University of Winnipeg

May 26, 2016 – Asian Canadian Writers

May 28-29, 2016 – Asian Canadian Festival at the Forks

For more details on the festivities, please visit: http://filipinojournal.com/asian-heritage-month-of-may-2016-promises-another-multicultural-extravaganza/

 Jacqueline Nanali is the UNE’s regional representative for human rights, Manitoba

 

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Important Notice to UNE Members at OLG Rideau Carleton

OLGRatification

PSAC will be holding a ratification vote on the OLG’s contract offer.

When: Thursday April 14 2016, 12pm – 4pm

Please plan to arrive at noon. You will be required to take part in a 30 minute information session prior to voting. At this session, you will be provided with a ratification kit, and you will also have the opportunity to ask any questions you have about the contract offer. Votes will be counted at 4pm sharp.

If you cannot make it on Thursday afternoon, please contact Stephanie Penwarden immediately at 613-447-1364 or by e-mail at PenwarS@psac.com. Please copy Tobie Castonguay as well at  CastonT@psac.com.

 

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Notice of National Executive Meeting

This is to advise that the National Executive of this Component will be meeting from Tuesday, April 19 to Thursday April 21, 2016 in the Union of National Employees Boardroom. The first session will commence at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 19.

Should your Local have any item to be placed on the agenda for this meeting, please contact your Regional Vice-President and provide him/her with the necessary information in order that he/she will be in a position to place this matter before the Executive.

 

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PSAC Award of Merit for Members

Greetings,

At the Union of National Employees, and at the Public Service Alliance of Canada, much of what we do would not be possible without the tireless work of our many volunteers. That is why I am proud to take this opportunity to extend a sincere thanks to those members.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada’s Award of Merit for members was established as an acceptable method to recognize members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada who have rendered service of the greatest distinction and of singular excellence in any field of endeavour, benefiting the PSAC or its members.

Applications for the Award of Merit may be sponsored by a Local, a Component or a member of the National Board of Directors.  Please complete the application carefully. The eligibility criteria and application form can be found on the PSAC website at http://psacunion.ca/eform/submit/psac-award-of-merit-for-members

The deadline for the submission of applications to be considered in any one calendar year is November 30th.

In solidarity,

Doug Marshall
National President
Union of National Employees, PSAC

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PSAC Pins and Certificates for Years of Service

Greetings,

At the Union of National Employees, and at the Public Service Alliance of Canada, much of what we do would not be possible without the tireless work of our many volunteers. That is why I am proud to take this opportunity to extend a sincere thanks to those members who have made a significant contribution through union activism.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada has a tradition of honouring long-term officers of the PSAC with service pins and certificates. These pins and certificates can be awarded to those with 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service.

If your Local wishes to nominate a member, please complete the application form and enclose a complete service history of the individual. Please pay careful attention when completing the period of service section of the form. The eligibility criteria and application forms can be found on the PSAC website.

Nominations must arrive at the UNE office no later than May 13,  2016.

In solidarity,

Doug Marshall
National President
Union of National Employees, PSAC

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Union of National Employees Human Rights Award

Greetings,

This letter serves as a reminder that all Union of National Employees Human Rights Award applications must be received by the National President no later than June 30.

Our human rights awards are presented to individuals who  have achieved outstanding and exemplary conduct in the promotion of human rights.

If your Local wishes to nominate a member, please refer to the criteria on the UNE website at http://en.une-sen.org/what_we_do/awards/hra_crit_e.pdf .  The application form can also be found on the UNE website at http://en.une-sen.org/what_we_do/awards/hra_app_e.pdf .   Please ensure that you follow the criteria carefully and that you complete the application form correctly.

The Human Rights award is presented at the UNE National Human Rights Conference.

In solidarity,

Doug Marshall
National President
Union of National Employees, PSAC