Members of the Francophone Committee of the Union of National Employees (UNE) wish a happy Quebec National Day to all Quebecers.
For more information on activities:
https://www.quebecoriginal.com/en-ca/listing/events/festivals-and-special-events/quebecs-national-holiday-1413304 (English link)
https://www.fetenationale.quebec (French link)
Yesterday we learned from Treasury Board President Joyce Murray that the path to the replacement of the Phoenix Pay System is underway.
Three vendors have been selected as part of the procurement process, following consultations with different stakeholders, including unions, primarily PIPSC (Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada). A pilot project phase for the new pay and HR pay system called Next Gen should be put in place by the end of the year allowing public servants to test the three selected pay systems and provide valuable feedback to the government.
Although PIPSC National President Debi Daviau placed the emphasis on her membership’s expertise and their ability to codify and build computer systems, we hope that future joint announcements will involve ALL bargaining agents that have members under federal jurisdiction.
We still don’t know when Next Gen will be fully implemented, the government refusing to give a definitive launch date. It is a shame because it would give hope to thousands of UNE members who have been impacted by the Phoenix fiasco over the past 3 years.
Along with PSAC, we are still demanding a fair compensation for damage done to our members.
We are in the middle of National Public Service Week (NPSW). It is also an election year and many UNE members are in bargaining. Our members deserve to be FULLY paid and ON TIME. No more mistakes, no more excuses, no more delays. We demand a pay and HR system that will work from Coast to Coast to Coast and we demand it now. Let’s Get It Done!
In Solidarity,
Kevin King
UNE National President
The Public Service Alliance of Canada welcomes and is encouraged by the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
The report, released in a special ceremony on June 3, has called the violence against Indigenous women and girls a “Canadian genocide” and includes extensive recommendations aimed at government, the police, and the Canadian public.
According to Chief Commissioner Marion Buller, there must be a “paradigm shift” to decolonize Canadian society and all Indigenous communities must be resourced and funded sufficiently to bring social and economic security to all. The report makes a distinction between the unique experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Metis, as well as Indigenous 2SLGBTQQIA (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual) people.
The report concludes that “these abuses and violations have resulted in the denial of safety, security, and human dignity.”
Sweeping recommendations
The report contains 231 recommendations to address the violence against Indigenous women and girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people.
Importantly, these include two of the main asks of the Native Women’s Association of Canada, supported by PSAC’s Red Dress campaign: a national action plan to stop the violence, and that Indigenous peoples, including families and survivors, be included in developing and implementing a national action plan.
Other recommendations include:
At the release ceremony, Commissioner Buller called on ALL Canadians to:
PSAC has been calling for action
PSAC members and activists have spent more than a decade advocating and rallying for a serious investigation into the fact that more that more than 1,200 Indigenous women and girls have been murdered or gone missing since 1980. Our members can be proud of the work they have done to gain justice for Indigenous Women and Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people.
PSAC will review the report and the recommendations in their entirety and provide more information in the coming weeks.
PSAC encourages all of our members and all Canadians to read this report as part of the reconciliation with the Indigenous peoples of this country.
Source: PSAC
Mabuhay! (In the Filipino language Tagalog, mabuhay means “long live”)
In the early 1970s my mother and auntie immigrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, from the Philippines in hopes of finding a better future. Born and raised as a Filipino Canadian, I am beyond blessed for the sacrifices that they made for our family. I am sure many people in Canada can relate to my family story.
Filipino immigration began late compared to other nationalities. In fact, records of Filipino immigrants in Canada were found in the 1930s and were in small numbers. In the 1990s there was an increase in immigration from the Philippines. Opportunities to work and live as caregivers across Canada opened many doors. As a result, more began to settle in major Canadian cities, such as Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver.
The goal for many Filipinos was to bring their immediate families to Canada. An individual would arrive as a temporary worker, leaving their spouse and children behind. Reunions would occur with their families in Canada as soon as permanent residency was achieved. Filipinos, along with many other Asian Canadians, contribute to the country’s economy greatly.
Many individuals from the Filipino community have made a profound impact on the Canadian society. In 2012, Canada’s first Filipino senator, the late Tobias C. Enverga Jr. was appointed. As a member of the Senate, one of his primary focuses was to advocate for people with Down Syndrome, a condition that one of his daughters had. Rey Pagtakhan, another Filipino Canadian was first elected to Parliament in 1988. He also served as the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) from 2001 to 2002. Today, many Filipinos in Canada continue to shape the country’s character and heritage in more ways than ever before.
Filipino Heritage Month takes place every June and is a month-long celebration. It was declared in Canada on October 30, 2018, in the Filipino Heritage Month Act, 2017. It is significant to acknowledge that the declaration of the Filipino Heritage Month was initiated by Paulina Corpuz of Toronto, Ontario, through a petition. From coast to coast to coast, throughout all regions of Canada, I encourage you and your families to attend events, join activities, try different Filipino cuisine, share stories, learn the language, and celebrate the special relationship between the Filipino people and Canada.
Salamat! (In the Filipino language Tagalog, salamat means “thank you”)
Jacqueline Nanali
Regional Representative for Human Rights, Manitoba
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.
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
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:
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
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.
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.
This week, negotiations continued towards securing a new collective agreement for over 4,000 Parks Canada members. Bargaining teams from both sides met in Ottawa from April 30 to May 2.
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 in this round, they still showed reluctance to move on major items. Most of the negotiations this week focused on non-monetary articles.
Securing Phoenix protections
This week, our negotiating team tabled our Phoenix pay administration proposal, which includes language to secure interest on monies owed if the employer fails to pay employees on time. This provision also includes reimbursements for members who have to seek accounting and financial management services to remedy inaccurate income reporting. Also included are other provisions to protect employees such as deduction rules for overpayment and emergency salary advances. The employer has yet to respond to this proposal.
The importance of domestic violence leave
The highlight of the week was our presentation to the employer on the value of domestic violence leave. PSAC presented overwhelming research on what’s at stake for those experiencing domestic violence and how this impacts the workplace. Our team emphasized the importance of accommodations and the cost of doing nothing. The employer seemed receptive to this proposal, which resulted in a productive discussion.
No progress on key items
Discussions continued on other bargaining demands such as vacation leave, whistleblowing, the Joint Learning Program, designated paid holidays, vacation leave, injury on duty leave, and joining the National Joint Council. During this time our bargaining team secured minor improvements to harassment language and in the articles relating to the definition of family.
Bargaining team rejects clawbacks
Unfortunately, the employer continues to ask for concessions concerning seasonal employees. The employer wants to prorate the number of family-related days for seasonal employees which would ultimately reduce the amount of leave members would have access to. Our negotiation team firmly conveyed to the employer that we will not accept concessions.
Parks Canada negotiations are set to continue May 28 to 30.
Source: PSAC
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:
UNE has several concerns that remain outstanding following the latest update:
Respectfully submitted,
Kevin King
National President,
Union of National Employees
*Image credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=678814
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.
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:
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