PSAC will defend the use of 699 leave for federal public service workers during the pandemic at adjudication hearings with the Federal Public Service Labour Relations Board August 30 to September 3, 2021. This will be a virtual public hearing.
PSAC filed several policy grievances with Treasury Board, CFIA and other agencies for restricting the use of 699 leave for members who were unable to work because of child care, elder care, disability or other issues brought on by COVID-19. We will also be challenging Treasury Board’s policy that forces members to exhaust all other available leave like vacation, sick, or family leave before they can access 699 Leave for COVID-19-related reasons.
The restrictions disproportionately impact marginalized groups who have been the hardest hit by the pandemic, including women, Indigenous people, racialized employees, workers with disabilities, high-risk workers and workers with family obligations. This violates both members’ collective agreements and the Canadian Human Rights Act. PSAC will also be filing a human rights complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
PSAC has combined the Treasury Board policy grievances so that they can be heard together at adjudication to speed up the process, and grievances filed with agencies will be on hold until the Treasury Board hearing is resolved.
We continue to fight to ensure that all PSAC members – especially those most affected – have the support they need to get through the pandemic. If you need leave related to COVID-19, you should continue to request 699 leave, and if your request is denied or you’re forced to take other types of leave like vacation, family or sick leave, you should immediately reach out to your PSAC representative or your component labour relations officer to discuss whether you should file an individual or group grievance.
Members employed by Treasury Board and PSAC-UTE members are also eligible for paid 698 leave to attend COVID-19 vaccination appointments.
We’ll continue to provide regular updates throughout the adjudication process.
To enter the conversation around disability inclusion, first consider the concept of disability exclusion. Have you ever experienced it?
Have you ever been excluded because of disability? I have.
Have you ever been unconsidered because of disability? I have.
Have you ever just been left out and not understood why? I have.
Persons with a disability have struggled to be included into the fabric of society on an equal and equitable keel. Things that some take for granted are barriers to others.
A single step in front of a building doesn’t seem like much of a barrier, unless you have a mobility disability.
A movie theatre seems to be barrier free, unless you are deaf and there is no closed captioning.
An elevator seems to be an accessibility tool, unless you are blind and braille is absent from the floor indicator keyboard.
What does accessibility mean? Is that ever a concern or even a consideration for most people?
Accessibility is about more than removing barriers. It is about creating spaces and situations where everyone feels welcomed, even invited, so that they can participate obstruction and discrimination free.
National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) is an opportunity to:
celebrate the valuable contributions of persons with disabilities,
acknowledge the accomplishments of individuals, communities and workplaces to remove barriers to accessibility and inclusion,
recognize the ongoing work we all have to do to counter discrimination against persons with disabilities, and
promote a culture of inclusion.
I was recently contacted by a student from about 28 years ago. He was a student in the school where I taught, but was not a student in my class. He recounted one of his remembrances. He shared the following:
“One day he observed a student making fun of me behind my back. I had heard the student, and addressed them. I explained why my gait was as it was. I offered them an opportunity to experience, in a limited way, what I experience with every step. I suggested that the student place a lift under their shoe equivalent to the size of a 2×4 to create a leg length discrepancy and to then walk around and observe the changes to their gait. They explained that that moment had a profound affect on them and was the moment when they learned about empathy, to view things from another’s perspective, and to not judge. They stated that they went home and tried the experiment themself.”
If we are going to affect a cultural change with respect to the perception of accessibility, we need to focus the conversation on removing barriers, enhancing inclusivity and recognizing the diversity of contributions by persons with disabilities. As was the student, we all need to become participants in the change.
It is only by working together that we will achieve a truly accessible and inclusive society that leaves no one behind.
Michael Freeman, UNE National Equity Representative for Persons with Disabilities
As part of the National Joint Council (NJC) cyclical review, the Travel Directive will be revised in Fall 2021. The purpose of the Travel Directive is to provide a framework meant to reimburse employees for reasonable expenses incurred while travelling on government business.
The reviewing process differs from traditional collective bargaining. To ensure that we succeed in achieving this process, member participation and direct input is critical.
The Directive applies to federal public service workers under Treasury Board, as well as employees of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Communications Security Establishment Canada, the National Research Council and the Office of the Auditor General of Canada. The Travel Directive as well as other NJC Directives are part of the employee’s collective agreements.
The 18 public service bargaining agents, including PSAC, provide proposals collectively to the employer representatives. If you are a PSAC member covered by the NJC Directive, you can submit proposed changes by completing the attached form. Proposals should apply as broadly as possible (not specific to one situation) and need to be supported by your Component president.
Please submit your proposals for changes to Andrea Dean by no later than Monday, September 13, 2021 in the Input Call Form.
The proposed changes will be compiled and vetted by the Ad Hoc NJC Committee to the NBoD, as well as the PSAC Representative on the NJC Travel Committee before being consolidated with the proposals from other bargaining agents.
UNE has endured a long-standing internal Union matter with respect to the representation of Passport Program Employees employed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and operationally administered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
A ruling by current PSAC President Chris Aylward in April 2021 has upheld a previous ruling by former PSAC President Robyn Benson in 2015.
UNE has relied on Sections 8,9 and 27 of the PSAC Constitution with respect to past and current jurisdictional matters associated with Component allocation of membership.
From the PSAC Constitution Section 8, sub-section 3 (a) under “Components”:
“The members of the Components listed in Sub-Section (2) of this Section may continue to enjoy the right of membership in their respective Components regardless of whatever employer reorganization takes place.”
Passport Program used to belong to the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) (now Global Affairs Canada) before a government reorganization by the Harper Conservatives in 2013. Passport Program employees performed – and continue to perform – a well-defined function within distinct directorates of IRCC and the operations of Passport Program client services through ESDC.
UNE is proud to represent its 2000 plus Passport members that give Canadians the opportunity to obtain passports for business and personal reasons, along with consular services for diplomatic missions outside of Canada.
Should issues arise with allocation of PSAC membership within IRCC or ESDC, UNE will ensure that all represented PSAC incorrectly assigned members to our Component will be reassigned to the correct PSAC Component with minimal delay; the same arrangement applies with other Components that share membership with other departments and agencies that have unionized employees under the same bargaining certificate.
You will find the recent decision by PSAC National President Chris Aylward with respect to Passport Program members below.
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.
Museums in Quebec and museums throughout Canada, in all regions of the country, are places of conservation, production and dissemination of knowledge, as well as research.
Furthermore, they are places of education and transmission of culture, most notably in the fields of history, heritage, archeology, and art.
Organized on May 18 or thereabouts, the events and activities planned to celebrate International Museum Day (IMD) can last for a day, a weekend, or even a week. Museum Day was first celebrated 40 years ago. Its objective is clear: to spread the message that museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures, and they encourage common knowledge, cooperation, and peace among peoples.
International Museum Day brings together a growing number of museums around the world. Last year, more than 37,000 museums participated in the event in nearly 156 countries. The theme for International Museum Day 2021 is “The Future of Museums – Recover and Reimagine”, which invites museums, professionals, and their communities to create, imagine and share new practices of (co-)creation of value, new business models for cultural institutions and innovative solutions for the social, economic, and environmental challenges of the present.
Therefore, I invite you, on International Museum Day 2021, to visit a museum near you, either virtually or in person, health conditions permitting.
André Miller UNE Regional Vice-President, NCR-Separate Employers
PSAC has kicked off negotiations with the employer to improve the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP), which provides benefits to most federal public service workers and retirees.
The focus will be on making gains for all members since the health care plan hasn’t been reviewed since 2006. There are many issues we will be pushing to improve including vision care, paramedical maximums, coverage for psychological services and many other benefits that impact members’ health and well-being.
We have made some progress on updating coverage, but the employer is insisting that changes made to the plan must not result in any additional costs. In fact, they are telling us that they will only agree to changes if they ultimately cost the plan less money. We have told the employer that’s simply unacceptable. The health care plan is not adequately responding to members’ needs and lags behind similar health care plans. A real overhaul is necessary.
PSAC will continue to push for improvements to the health care plan and will update you on progress as negotiations continue through May and June.
I am writing to inform you about the May 17th, 2021, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT).
Currently around the world we are all living in a with a very difficult time, as COVID-19 causes havoc. I wanted to recognize that this has also had an increased negative affect on marginalized groups. One way to mitigate the negative effects is to have safety nets, areas or groups of people that are able to provide comfort and safety. These safety nets have grown more difficult to maintain in this virtual world we have been thrust into. We are aware that this time has affected all of us, but there is a need to realize how this has affected many even more.
I have over the last year taken some time to realize the privilege I have and the supports I have access to and how I am able to maintain my networks. These tools are not readily available to everyone. Not everyone has access to housing, internet, family, safe drinking water, food and even more.
I have looked at my learned history, my current biases and my privilege to see what I can do, what I can learn and tools that are out there to help me retrain, adapt and reprogram what programing I have received from a lens of privilege, culture and history. To start, I want to say that we are all human beings, the social constructs set up around the work are only there because we allow them. Rights are there because people fought for them and continue to fight for them and even to keep what they may have. We have been taught that rights are finite and that for others to have rights we need to give something up. This is not correct. Rights are not a piece cake. Those that have the whole cake do not need to give up slices of their cake so that others can have rights. I do not want a piece of your cake. I want my own cake. By giving me a whole cake does not make your cake worth less either. This type of past programing needs and can be changed. Marginalized groups have been told that they need to compete with every other marginalized group to gain time to be heard and to be able to state their case for inclusion and equity. I ask that as marginalized groups we take the time to link arms in solidarity to find common ground to move forward through our intersectionality. We are stronger, louder and better organized if we all work together in solidarity. Let’s make real change.
Across the world there has been an increase of hate and violence. The 2SLGBTQ+ community has been a major focus of that hate. This includes increased conversion therapy organizations, countries creating LGBTQ+ free zones, countries with concentration camps for LGBTQ+ people and countries changing law to reduce protections for LGBTQ+ people. There are currently 6 countries in the world where being LGBTQ+ is punishable by death, 27 countries where being LGBTQ+ would get 10 years to life in prison and 43 countries with no protection at all. This is all because of Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. The definition of Phobia is an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something.
Here in Canada, we work hard to ensure that our laws protect. One such positive move forward is Bill C-6 (An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy)). Conversion therapy refers to any of several dangerous and discredited practices aimed at changing an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. For example, that could mean attempting to change someone’s sexual orientation from lesbian, gay, or bisexual to straight or their gender identity from transgender or nonbinary to cisgender. And it could include efforts to change a person’s gender expression (to make a person act more stereotypically masculine or feminine, for example), or to reduce or eliminate sexual or romantic attraction or feelings toward a person of the same gender.) This bill has passed second reading in the House of Commons and is working towards Royal Assent. This is a great move to inclusion, safety and equity within this great nation of Canada. Bills like this one are something we all need to know about and support so that small groups of loud people do not cause them to fail.
I hope that on this May 17th, 2021 you take the time to reflect on privilege, your biases, your lives and your knowledge. Remember that privilege does not mean that you have not had a difficult time, what it does mean is that you may not have had to experience adversity because of who you inherently are. You may not have had to experience life from the world of someone who is racialized, 2SLGBTQ+, a woman, Indigenous or a person with access needs, and others).
Take the time to look at some of the amazing resources out there and help make a positive change for the lives of those who are struggling for the basic rights that we have. Here is one of those resources.
Christopher Little-Gagné UNE National Equity Representative for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People
In May 2002, the Government of Canada signed a declaration designating May as Asian Heritage Month. Adopted by the Senate in 2001, this was proposed by Vivienne Poy, the first Canadian Senator of Asian Heritage. This Month is meant to recognize and acknowledge the various achievements and contributions of Asians in Canadian Society. Along with this, it is also a celebration of their rich and diverse cultural practices and traditions, Asia being the largest continent and comprised of about fifty-four countries.
There is a long list of Canadians of Asian descent who have excelled in the fields of politics, economics, science, sports, medicine, education, music and service but it is fitting to add all Canadians of Asian heritage to this list. When they came to Canada, they were determined to strive and work hard to achieve their goals and realize their dreams. There were a lot of challenges and struggles but in their own diverse little ways, directly or indirectly, they have contributed to the growth and development of their communities, their workplaces and of Canadian society.
Asian Heritage Month is an opportune time to learn and experience the rich and diverse culture of Asia. Join and celebrate. Check out the activities and festivities that have been organized by Asian Heritage Month Societies or other Asian groups in your communities. Check out this link as well from the Asian Heritage Society of Manitoba.
Appreciate and learn more about the diverse cultures of Asia by listening to music, watching a film, reading a book, doing some craft, exploring different tastes and flavours and indulging yourself in Asian culinary delight.
As we mark this year’s Asian Heritage Month, it is also important to take note of what is happening in our surroundings that is greatly affecting Canadians of Asian heritage. They are facing challenges and fear, and some are struggling to live in harmony and peace. This is because of the ongoing hate crimes and racial discrimination that are becoming more prevalent especially during this time of pandemic. Discrimination and hate crimes may come in different forms. It is our duty as Canadians to be aware of these acts of injustice and the plight of Asians and become allies especially in communities where their voices are not being heard.
Happy Asian Heritage Month!
Shirley Torres Regional Vice-President, B.C. and Yukon
During this Mental Health Week, the first question that comes to my mind is, will this pandemic—despite all the negativity that it causes—sensitize society and the public to the problems of mental health? When I hear the most common prejudices like “schizophrenic people are violent”; “depressed people lack drive”; “anxious people are weak-minded”; “bipolar people are hard to manage”, all these prejudices lead to stigmatization and discrimination and show a lack of information on the subject.
I believe that as an advanced and progressive society, we have to start at the start, i.e. education. We say that to have good mental health, the key to success is to lead a balanced life—yes, but the greatest hurdle is that no one is the same, we are all different people, we all have our own histories, and during a global pandemic, what exactly does a balanced life look like? It would be a good idea to focus specifically on the needs of those among us who are vulnerable. Let’s learn to notice changes in behaviour in our loved ones, our colleagues and our friends. Let’s try to understand what mental illnesses are, to differentiate between anxiety disorders, panic attacks and agoraphobias, obsessive-compulsive disorders, depression, bipolar disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, mood disorders and others.
Anyone of us can have mistaken perceptions, but people struggling from mental illnesses have more problems with their thoughts and perceptions. Very often, those close to them are confronted with this reality and their own thoughts and behaviours are greatly affected by it.
Discrimination against people suffering from mental health problems or addictions is often linked to prejudiced attitudes, negative stereotypes, as well as the generalized stigmatization of mental problems and addictions.
The best present that you can give to someone with a mental health problem is to listen to them, recommend that they consult with someone, support them, and show them a great deal of empathy. As you can see, this proves the necessity of increasing education and communication on this subject, in order to fight against taboos, fake news and concerns about mental health. Even nowadays, mental illnesses evoke fears and shame in some people. These behaviours reflect mistaken beliefs, misunderstandings, and ignorance regarding mental illnesses.
We must lead the way as union leaders in helping our community adopt a healthy and positive dialogue and demonstrate that it’s possible to render this topic less taboo, so that people can talk about it freely, without any concerns.
In closing, take care of yourselves and those close to you, and keep in mind that a positive mental attitude leads to positive feelings, which in turn results in positive outcomes.
Daniel Toutant National Vice-President for Human Rights
