The Union of National Employees would like to welcome Rodney Mockler as the new term User Support Technician until the end of October. Rodney brings with him many years of Information Technology support experience.
Rodney’s first day with us was on Monday, March 16, 2015.
Please join me in welcoming Rodney to Union of National Employees.
Doug Marshall
National President
Union of National Employees, PSAC
More dates being set for later this month
On Tuesday our Bargaining Team met with the Museum to continue talks for a new contract. While some progress was made, we remain in dispute with the Museum concerning compensation, protections against contracting out, leave provisions and other matters.
With respect to wages, the Museum’s position continues to be dramatically below what has recently been agreed to by other federal employers in the cultural sector, including both the National Arts Centre and the National Gallery. The employer’s position is also well below current and forecasted economic trends. Consequently the parties remain far apart on wages.
With respect to protections for our jobs, management continues to take a position that is inferior to what has been agreed to elsewhere in the federal cultural sector.
The issue of sick leave arose in Tuesday’s session. Management signaled an interest in proposing language that would contemplate the parties agreeing to reopen the contract and negotiate sick leave after the agreement has been signed in the event that changes take place in the federal public service. While we indicated that the union will look at any proposal in good faith, we have no interest in opening the contract once it is signed to discuss potential cuts to our sick leave. Our union signed a 4-year agreement with the Gallery last year with no mention of a sick leave reopener. Our union is currently in bargaining for a 3-year agreement with the House of Commons where no language concerning sick leave is being sought. We told management on Tuesday that the same should also apply with CSTMC.
Union taking action over layoffs.
Last month the Corporation reduced a number of VE positions and a position in the Boutique. Our local will be filing grievances over these reductions as it is our position that the contract was not properly followed and that employees should be reinstated. We will also be consulting union legal counsel to determine if additional legal action might be followed in light of the layoffs.
We will uphold our contract rights.
We are in the process of scheduling more bargaining for later this month. We’ll be sure to update as things progress. If you have any questions speak with your union representative, or a member of our Bargaining Team (Sharon Babaian, Bryan Casey and Yvon Renaud).
Source: PSAC Members at CSTMC United for a Fair Contract
Finally, after three-and-a-half years, we received the arbitration awards for interviewers (belonging to the RO and FI classifications) who conduct surveys for Statistics Canada.
There are a number of significant victories in the decisions:
While we did not achieve everything we asked for, we made real progress in areas that our bargaining teams indicated were critical for this round of bargaining.
We won these because of the hard work and determination of our bargaining teams and the solidarity of PSAC members at SSO.
Since the fall of 2011, PSAC has been engaged in a fight with SSO to improve working conditions for interviewers and SIs at Statistics Canada.
We should all be proud of the work we did to achieve these victories, despite it being a difficult and lengthy round of bargaining.
The next round will begin shortly, and given the position taken by the government with other PSAC bargaining units, we can also expect it to be tough. Now is the time for members to not only take the time to learn about and understand the rights provisions under our new contracts, but also to prepare for the coming round. We will provide a more detailed list of all the changes in the new collective agreements very soon.
Source: www.psacunion.ca
PSAC will be analyzing the arbitral awards for both the RO and FI units and will be posting this analysis, along with previously signed-off language, on the PSAC website as soon as possible.
In the interim, we can share with you the following:
Please continue to check this website for news of the provisions of your collective agreements and of developments as we move forward.
Last Friday, water rights were top of the agenda at the human rights committee meeting. Creative juices were flowing as the members around the boardroom table offered their ideas for a campaign aimed at promoting awareness of water as a human right.
During our 2014 convention, delegates voted in favour of a resolution to “fund the continuation of the water rights campaign adopted at the 2013 human rights conference.”
And when it comes to water, there are a ton of worrisome issues; there are countless communities in our own country who don’t have access to clean water, water is increasingly being privatized, major cities are seeing boil advisories…. And that doesn’t even include issues in the developing world.
“There was a lot of interest and discussion around the table,” said Geoff Ryan, national vice-president for human rights. “People felt very passionate about the issue; it’s a topic that’s very important to us.”
And for some, the issue hit particularly close to home. Jacqueline Nanali, who is a regional human rights representative in Manitoba, shared her experience with the boil advisory that affected all of Winnipeg, late last January.
“Everyone was running to the stores to pick up bottled water,” said Nanali. “Some chiefs, from nearby First Nations communities came back and said ‘well, this is what happens in our communities; this is how we live.’”
“I think it’s important for us to realize just how important water is. For me, losing basic access to water and having to boil water all day just for a simple glass of water to drink or a cup of tea… or just to brush my teeth; it really opened my eyes.”
The city of Winnipeg issued the boil advisory January 27 when the presence of E. coli was detected in the water supply; it was lifted 48 hours later. For two days, Winnipeggers were forced to boil water each time they needed to drink, cook meals, or make infant formula.
This incident garnered national attention from the media, but there are over a thousand boil advisories across Canada at this very moment. For many communities, what Winnipeg experienced is a daily reality.
After some fruitful discussions, the human rights committee members agreed that more light needs to be shed on how political decisions impact accessible clean water for Canadian communities. They dedicated a great portion of the day towards fleshing out a campaign.
“We’re very much in the beginning stages, but I’m excited to see what this will look like,” said Ryan. “We’re hoping to reach a broad swath of the Canadian public; I think many of the great ideas I heard around the table will help us accomplish just that.”
By Jennifer Chieh Ho
In 1966, the United Nations designated March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It was meant to commemorate the 1960 massacre that took place in Sharpeville, South Africa, where a demonstration that started off as peaceful, ended with shots fired by police. That day, 69 South Africans were killed and over 180 were injured. The demonstrators took to the street to protest; they called on the apartheid government to abolish laws that required all black men and women to carry reference books containing their personal information. If someone was found without their book in a public place, they would be arrested and detained in prison.
Canada was among the first countries to support the UN resolution designating March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Our nation first observed the day in 1989.
However, 49 years later, there is still much work to be done to wipe out racism. Every day, people are subjected to racist comments and stereotypes in the media, schools, public spaces and workplaces.
Continually putting the spotlight on race, ethnic background and skin colour creates an atmosphere where racial discrimination can thrive. Whether intentional or not, actions towards people based on their race, ethnic backgrounds or skin colour can have a negative impact on the day-to-day lives of racialized members of society.
I am often asked:
“Where are you from?”
“What is your background?”
“Where did you learn English?”
I am often subjected to unsolicited comments such as:
“You don’t look Chinese.”
“You speak good English.”
I recognize that questions are often asked out of curiosity, but it’s the manner in which questions are asked that is key! If the questions are asked as a means to get to know me and are asked in a respectful way, then, in the spirit of open dialogue, they are welcomed. If questions or comments pander to racial stereotypes, then please do not ask them or state them.
I am ethnic Chinese, but I am not from China (yet I have been told to “go back to China!”). This is a common remark made to racially-visible persons.
I am a Canadian with three children, two of whom were born in Canada; imagine how you would feel if your children were told to go back to a country they were not born in! Would you feel that your children were welcome and respected in their birthplace?
We live in a country of great diversity – one where everyone should be treated equally and with respect. So why do some of us have to work so hard to get people to look beyond our ethnic backgrounds, our places of origin or our skin colour? Why can’t people look at our skill sets, our abilities, our education, our experiences, and, most importantly, at our worth as individuals, instead? It’s sad to see that racial discrimination still exists. The only thing that will make a difference is when each and every individual is treated with respect and dignity – when we are all accepted on the basis of our own unique merits. In order to actively eliminate racial discrimination, we have to continue to educate and speak up. And we must actively work on racism, both on a personal and institutional level, for our children and for future generations.
Jennifer Chieh Ho is the regional vice-president for the British Columbia and Yukon region. This article was written as part of our union’s member journalism program. If you’d like to find out more, click here – to pitch a story or for any questions, please send an email to communications@une-sen.org.
By Karl Lafrenière
Each year, my grandmother spends the greater part of the winter in Florida. For a few years now, I’ve been driving her car there so that she has the ability to run errands once she’s there. The first time I did that long drive to the Sunshine State, I travelled with my brother.
We stopped pretty regularly, picking up snacks for the road. One stop I’ll never forget was in South Carolina. It was late at night and we needed to get fresh supplies for the road ahead. When we entered the corner store, my brother and I were speaking French while we discussed what we intended to purchase. Once we made our way to the cash register, the cashier greeted us with a “Bonjour” and asked us, in French, if we had found everything we had been looking for.
My brother and I were surprised to hear this person speaking French to us, with a strong accent; we replied in English, as a means of accommodation.
The cashier was quick to tell us, once again in French: “No, please speak to me in French. I never have the chance to practice this great language, so when I have the opportunity, I take advantage of it.”
We happily finished our conversation in French.
Once we arrived in Florida, my brother and I decided to recount our corner store adventure to our grandmother. We were soon even more enthralled to learn that my grandmother’s friend had recently made a presentation to a conference held by the Alliance Française de Sarasota.
I’m proud to know that my language is sprinkled around the world; in the most unexpected places.
There is even an organization that represents Francophones across the world: the International Organization of La Francophonie. Created in 1970, its mission is to “embody the active solidarity between its 80 member states and governments (57 members and 23 observers), which together represent over one-third of the United Nations’ member states and account for a population of over 890 million people, including 220 million French speakers.”
Its members share the use of the French language and the values of “La Francophonie”, which includes working in solidarity to promote the French language, as well as cultural and linguistic diversity, democracy, human rights and education.
But even if someone doesn’t identify as Francophone, this doesn’t mean they’re not genuinely interested in our language. And it’s up to us, as Francophones, to foster that interest.
So, if I may, in conclusion, propose some friendly advice to my fellow Francophones: when someone attempts to speak with you in French – even if they struggle – don’t switch to English. We too often do this to be helpful, but I believe this isn’t helpful at all. We should embrace their efforts and provide them with a unique opportunity to practice our cherished language.
Karl Lafrenière is the regional vice-president for the Outside Canada region and a member of our francophone committee. This article was written as part of our union’s member journalism program. If you’d like to find out more, click here – to pitch a story or for any questions, please send an email to communications@une-sen.org.
Our members at Statistical Survey Operations are still waiting on news of their new collective agreement. Unfortunately, we don’t have any news to share right now. We’re, quite simply, still waiting with you.
When we last reported on the arbitration process in January, we told you that a decision should be rendered within three to five weeks. Unfortunately, the arbitration board is taking more time than was originally expected.
Since we presented our submissions, we have had no control over the process. We appreciate that this is a lot for us to ask from members who have been waiting four years for a decision.
Members of SSO have done a lot of waiting throughout this bargaining process. It’s been a tough one; negotiations first reached impasse in 2012. After filing for arbitration, the process was greatly delayed by an employer that challenged our ability to negotiate some of our bargaining proposals before the arbitration board.
What’s next:
Once the decision of the arbitration board is issued, PSAC will inform members at SSO of the decision. We also know that this delay has led to speculation among some members. All we can tell you is that any rumours you may hear are completely unfounded because no report has been published. No one, including our own bargaining team, has been informed of any decisions rendered so far.
How to get the news immediately:
The minute the news is published on our website, we’ll disseminate it on Facebook and Twitter. If you’d prefer to be emailed the minute the news is released, we can commit to that too: just send an email to communications@une-sen.org and tell us that you’d like to be informed as soon as the news becomes available.
Once again, we can’t express how much we appreciate our members’ patience throughout this process. We know it’s been a long and arduous road; we look forward to seeing you at the finish line.
By Richard Ballance
Here we are, in the midst of negotiations with an employer that is hell-bent on saving money on the backs of workers. The talks are moving slowly – and many members are curious about possible job action. We’ve all heard it: members who declare, “I can’t afford to go on strike.”
Currently, we’re a long way from strike action. Negotiations continue, albeit slowly. All parties are at the table. Before we are in a position to strike, there are several things that have to happen.
First of all, a legal strike cannot take place without an essential services agreement, which outlines all positions that are designated essential. Bill C-4 gives the government control over essential services (although this is likely unconstitutional) and Bill C-31 has revoked all existing essential service agreements. The government must revisit and identify amendments to essential service agreements before we will be anywhere near a strike position.
Second, a legal strike can only take place once members of the bargaining unit have voted to initiate strike action. A strike vote can only happen if the PSAC national president authorizes the vote. Based on the results of the vote, the PSAC national president then has the authority to call for strike action. Members only walk the picket line if they have democratically voted to go on strike, and the PSAC national president calls for a walk-out.
We’re far from that point for the time being. There won’t be a vote held unless negotiations reach an impasse.
Is it true that our members cannot afford to strike? During job action, our members will not be paid by the employer. We all have obligations such as mortgages, car payments, tuition fees for our children’s education, monthly bills (and more bills…, heat, hydro, internet, telephone, etc.). Many members will struggle with keeping up with payments if they lose a week or two of pay. Any longer, and most members will have challenges.
I’d suggest that, in fact, with the current negotiations, we can’t afford to not strike. We stand to lose a whole lot more than a couple of weeks of pay.
One of the “features” of the “short-term disability” (STD) plan that our employer wants to impose on public servants is a seven-day unpaid waiting period before anyone qualifies for benefits. Think about it…. If you are ill and you have used up your six days of sick leave, any further period of illness is unpaid for up to five working days, before you qualify for “STD”.
And often the devil is in the details. What if you fall ill again at a later date? Will you automatically qualify for “STD” or will you have another waiting period? Having had some experience with the insurance industry, I suspect the latter.
Just when you need a paycheque, you may not get one. To make matters worse, you’ll have to deal with a for-profit organization like SunLife trying to pay you the least benefit possible.
Can I afford to strike? Not really. However, given what our employer is offering, we stand to lose even more over time. We can’t afford not to strike.
No one wants to get stuck with an STD, especially from this employer.
Richard Ballance is the regional vice-president for Treasury Board members in the National Capital Region. This article was written as part of our union’s member journalism program. If you’d like to find out more, click here – to pitch a story or for any questions, please send an email to communications@une-sen.org.
By Sandy Bello
As International Women’s Day approaches on March 8, I think about the achievements and reflect on some of the barriers that I experienced as a Canadian working woman.
After a recent visit with my 91 year-old mother, I thought about the differences in our experiences as women growing up, going to school, working and raising a family. I got an amazing education in a non-traditional field and a good unionized job that provided benefits, including leave provisions and job security. But childcare was a big challenge for both of us. My dad worked hard in a low-paying job and my mom simply couldn’t work until we were all in school.
So, we got by on a very meager budget.
As for me, I lost so much sleep worrying about finding quality, safe and affordable childcare for three kids, including twins at a time when my partner and I were struggling to meet our high-interest mortgage payments!
Since those frenzied, stressful and costly days, great improvements have been made in parental leave and other benefits. But there is still no national childcare system. Families continue to struggle with child care, all while almost 70% of mothers with kids under 5 are working. The current federal program, the Universal Child Care Benefit, just doesn’t cut it for most parents. Canada lags behind other countries as they continue to develop their early-childhood education and care systems.
That’s why Canada’s labour movement is calling on all of us to make childcare an election issue. Did you know that the last federal election debate on women’s issues was in 1984?! The NDP and the Green Party have agreed to participate in a debate on women’s issues, but the Liberal Party of Canada, the Conservative Party of Canada and the Bloc Québécois have not. Campaigns are underway including Vote Child Care 2015 and Up For Debate.
I am reaffirming my resolve to take action to move women’s issues and childcare forward, not backwards. Let’s all of us make this a reality and let’s hope that next year’s International Women’s Day will give us another reason to celebrate.
Sandy Bello is the regional representative for human rights in Ontario. This article was written as part of our union’s member journalism program. If you’d like to find out more, click here – to pitch a story or for any questions, please send an email to communications@une-sen.org.