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Treasury Board bargaining resumes February 12 — PSAC demands new mandate from Trudeau

PSAC will be resuming face-to-face bargaining sessions from February 12 to14 on behalf of the 90,000 federal public service workers covered by Treasury Board bargaining. The union’s top priority is to obtain a fair wage settlement, and improvements in areas such as work-life balance, workload, leave provisions, and the use of temporary workers.

After many months of frustrating talks with the government, PSAC members are still waiting for a proper response to the union’s bargaining proposals. In December, the government insulted federal public service workers by coming to the table with a proposal for a two-year wage freeze.

“We will mobilize members to pressure Prime Minister Trudeau to live up to his promise of a new relationship with public service workers – one of respect,” said PSAC National President, Chris Aylward. “His Government is betraying our members and Canadians who depend on high quality public service.”

“New Treasury Board President, Jane Philpott must get a new mandate from the Prime Minister – one that will allow a fair deal. Our members have been waiting three years to get paid correctly under Phoenix – they shouldn’t also have to wait for the decent working conditions they deserve.”

Next week’s sessions will cover four bargaining units under Treasury Board: Program & Administrative Services (PA), Technical Services (TC), Operations Services (SV), and Education & Library Science (EB).

Source: PSAC’s website

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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.

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Appointments by the Prime Minister in the Public Service: The Game of Musical Chairs

UNE National President Kevin King made the following statement:

Last week, the Prime Minister appointed former Deputy Minister of Public Services and Procurement (PSPC) Marie Lemay to the Privy Council Office. She was in charge of overlooking the implementation of Phoenix.

Bill Matthews is replacing her, effective January 28, 2019. Let’s hope that the new Deputy Minister will be more responsive and proactive regarding the Phoenix fiasco file.

When poorly performing bureaucrats get promoted instead of discharged for incompetence or incapacity, it is beyond the comprehension of federal public servants who perform publicly funded services for the benefit of Canadians.

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Statement from UNE National President Kevin King following Cabinet Shuffle

UNE congratulates both Jane Philpott and Seamus O’Regan on their respective appointments in today’s federal cabinet shuffle.

Minister Philpott, who has been vice-chair of the Treasury Board cabinet committee, will have to restore collective bargaining negotiations and show commitment with respect to the next generation of the pay system for federal employees after the Phoenix fiasco.

Minister O’Regan is appointed to Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), which is a new federal department. We hope the minister will be able to address the serious occupational health and safety issues that our members are facing on a daily basis in their workplace.

UNE looks forward to working with both Minister Philpott and Minister O’Regan.

Kevin King
UNE National President


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Callout for PSAC Awards

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.

PSAC LIFE MEMBERSHIP

The Public Service Alliance of Canada Life Membership award is the highest recognition that can be given to a member for outstanding service to the members of the PSAC.

Nominations may be made by the National Executive of this component or by the Public Service Alliance of Canada’s National Board of Directors. Please complete the application form and enclose a complete service history of the individual. Please pay careful attention when completing the work history, union activities and include dates on the application form. The eligibility criteria and application form can be found on the PSAC website. The deadline for the submission of applications to be considered in any one calendar year is November 30th.

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

PSAC PINS AND CERTIFICATES FOR YEARS OF SERVICE

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 be submitted no later than January 25, 2019.

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PSAC National President and UNE National President to visit the Passport processing Centre in Gatineau

UNE Local 70130 has invited PSAC National President Chris Aylward and UNE National President Kevin King to visit the Passport processing centre in Gatineau on December 20, 2018. 

They will be provided a tour of the workplace of approximately 500 UNE Passport Program members.

Since the Harper Government abolished Passport Canada, the Passport Program now falls under Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 

‘’Our Local is excited to welcome our leaders to see the important and distinct workthat our Passport members do ’’ says Local 70130 President Rose Touhey, who is also Assistant Regional Vice-President for Outside Canada.

UNE is proud of the incredible work performed by its dedicated Passport Program members!

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2019 Local Presidents’ Conference

Members of the UNE Family,

The UNE 2019 Local Presidents’ Conference is just a few short months away! Local Presidents are invited to join us in Gatineau, QC, from March 21 – 24 for an exciting chance to gather with other Union activists and discuss current issues facing our Union.

We ask that UNE Local Presidents register online by Friday, February 8, 2019.

Your Local’s participation is very important. If you are unable to attend, we encourage you to designate another member of your Local Executive to attend the Conference.

If you are unable to register, please contact Suzanne Boucher at 613-560-4359 or at suzanne.boucher@une-sen.org.

There will be more information circulated in the New Year, but don’t hesitate to check the UNE website over the next few months for the latest updates.

In solidarity,

Kevin King
UNE National President

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Treasury Board bargaining resumes amid delays and growing frustration

In the continued wake of the Phoenix pay system disaster, bargaining teams representing nearly 90,000 federal public service workers are back at the bargaining table with Treasury Board this week and next.

PSAC’s bargaining teams have been repeatedly disappointed by the continued lack of response and meaningful engagement by Treasury Board. In July, PSAC came to the table with clear proposals and a strong mandate to move forward. Unfortunately, the Government has yet to engage substantially with PSAC’s various proposals, and have not offered counter proposals.

“​It’s outrageous that our members have been waiting three years to get paid correctly under Phoenix—they shouldn’t have to also wait to get the fair working conditions they deserve,” said Chris Aylward, PSAC National President. “They’re very frustrated at the lack of movement in almost six months since we first sat down to bargain with the Liberal government.”

From November 27 to 29 the negotiations will cover table-specific proposals for the four bargaining groups: Program & Administrative Services (PA), Technical Services (TC), Operations Services (SV), and Education & Library Science (EB); and issues common to all teams will be covered December 4 to 6.

“For these upcoming meetings, we’re demanding the government come to the table ready to make significant progress,” concluded Aylward.

 

Source: www.psacunion.ca

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An attack against Franco-Ontarians is an attack against all Francophones throughout the country

Despite stating the contrary during the electoral campaign, Doug Ford’s Conservative government has brushed aside the few, hard-won governmental services for which Franco-Ontarians struggled. The situation is shameful.

He seems annoyed and not the least ashamed of the outcry caused by the cutbacks. The best stance he has found is to blatantly state that he was misunderstood. All the while, he is disregarding the two fundamental objectives of the Official Languages Act, which are:

1. ‘’enhancing the vitality of the English and French linguistic minority communities in Canada and supporting and assisting their development; and
2. fostering full recognition and use of English and French in Canadian society.’’

The UNE, through its Francophone Committee, denounces this act which constitutes an attack on Francophones.

Long live French in Canada!

The UNE Francophone Committee

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Phoenix: Government To Correct Membership Dues Errors This Week

The Phoenix pay system will apply membership dues adjustments this fall. Letters to members with details about their specific dues’ situation are being sent out this month. On November 14, 2018 PSAC members will see the correct membership dues amount on their paycheques, and then they will find themselves in one of two categories:

You have overpaid membership dues and are owed a refund. PSAC will refund the total amount owed to you. You will receive the refund over 1 to 2 paycheques. Beginning in January 2019, your membership dues should be updated to the corrected rate.

You have been underpaying membership dues and are in arrears. PSAC will only recover up to 1 years’ worth of union dues and will not collect this in one large lump sum. The rate of recovery is always equal to the monthly amount of union dues a member would normally pay. These recovery payments will take place over several pay periods. For most of our members who owe less than $300, this shouldn’t take more than 2 to 3 months.

If you have concerns regarding arrears owed, please fill in this form to request additional information.

In solidarity,

The UNE National Office