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Two rallies – One union

Two rallies - One union

June 16, 2011 – PSAC members, including National Component members, joined CAW members on the picket line in support of their strike. They were thrilled to see us there – together, we marched through the terminal and yelled “Shame, shame, shame!” to scabs working the Air Canada counter. While we were making noise in the Ottawa airport, we got news that a tentative agreement had been reached. Cheers of joy and chants of solidarity filled the terminal. We got back on the bus (and took a few CAW members with us!) and went to support members at CUPW, in the hopes we could help them accomplish the same!

The CUPW members locked out of the Ottawa sorting facility were surprised and overjoyed to see our solidarity bus arrive. One CUPW member was even overheard saying: “You brought the big guns!”

Unions standing in solidarity together: now those are big guns indeed!

Many photos of the rally can be seen on the National Component’s Flickr site!
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Fighting with Heart for the Arts

Fighting with Heart for the Arts

June 15, 2011 – National Component members at the National Gallery of Canada came out to show support for their bargaining team. Local 70397 has been bargaining since last year – so far, the employer is still insisting on wage concessions. This government’s history of cutting funding for the arts has made it clear that they are not a friend of the arts. The National Component supports its members in the arts and culture sector and will continue to fight on their behalf.

If you have a moment, write to your Member of Parliament. Let them know arts and culture are important to you and that you won’t stand for reduced access to Canadian culture.

Many photos of the rally can be seen on the National Component’s Flickr site!
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Air Canada Strike

Supporting Striking Air Canada Workers
Photo credit: Mulugeta Zergaber, flickr.com/mulugeta_zergaber

The National Component is standing in solidarity with ticketing agents, counter staff and administrative workers of the Canadian Auto Workers’ union (CAW) who are on strike against Air Canada.

CAW is asking for our support in respecting their picket lines. If you have an existing reservation with Air Canada, please cancel it. Tell the company to negotiate a fair agreement with their workers.
Supporters are asked to make alternate travel arrangements until the labour dispute is settled. If travel can be rescheduled using the train, bus or personal vehicle, we encourage you to do so.

National Component members attending the Triennial Convention in August are asked to register and book their travel now. We will keep our members updated, as the strike unfolds, should there be an impact on the 2011 Convention.

For more information on how to support your brothers and sisters at CAW, please visit the PSAC’s web page on this topic.

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Union Pride – Prairie-Wide!

Union Pride - Prairie-Wide!

June 10, 2011 – Delegates, observers and guests at the PSAC Prairies Regional Convention took to the streets to stand in solidarity with members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers who are still holding rotating strikes across the country. The rally in Winnipeg drew members from the PSAC, CUPW, CUPE, and others. Together, labour activists sent a strong message that when postal services are under attack, we will fight back.

CUPW members are fighting for safer work conditions and to keep a sick-leave plan they have had since 1988. They are also resisting the introduction of a “two-tier” wage and benefits system.

Many National Component members from the Prairies region were present and took great joy in standing in solidarity with their sisters and brothers of CUPW.

Many photos of the rally can be seen on the National Component’s Flickr site!
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Congratulations Larry!

Congrats Larry!

The National Component wishes to extend its warmest congratulations to Brother Larry Rousseau. On June 5, 2011, Larry was elected, after the first round of voting, PSAC’s Regional Executive Vice-President (REVP) for the National Capital Region. Larry has always been a passionate and dedicated member of the National Component for many years; we know he will bring the same level of enthusiasm at the PSAC and wish him the best of luck in his new position.

In 2008, Larry Rousseau was elected as National Component Regional Vice President of the NCR-TB region. Prior to assuming this position, Larry occupied the role of first Vice President of Local 70059, which represents members at Statistics Canada. As a National Executive member, Larry lent his talents to several committees: the By-laws & Policies Committee, the Communications Committee, the Francophone Committee and the Education, Honours and Awards Committee. As part of the labour movement, he has worked for the Canadian Labour Congress, been a delegate at the Ottawa & District Labour Council, and participated in the PSAC’s Union Development Program. He is also an activist within the LGBT Community and NOWAR/PAIX. Larry has been committed to values such as social justice, equity, equality and human rights – values we also hold dear at the National Component.

Congratulations Larry!

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National Component members march in support of CUPW members

Marching in solidarity

Solidarity is the cornerstone of the labour movement. National Component members, along with other PSAC members, attended a rally in Ottawa to show support to their brothers and sisters of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. Many speakers took to the mike and engaged the crowd, including PSAC National President, John Gordon. A sea of PSAC flags filled the corner of Sparks St. and Elgin St., where the Canada Post Central Post Office in downtown Ottawa is located. Solidarity forever!

Many photos of the rally can be seen on the National Component’s Flickr site!
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PSAC Update on Severance Payouts

PSAC update on severance payouts

Within the next few weeks, the employer will inform all employees about the payment process. It is possible that your employer has already contacted you. For more information about the payments in lieu of severance pay, please consult the PSAC’s update by clicking here.

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World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

ddde

“As a source of exchange, innovation and creativity, cultural diversity is as necessary for humankind as biodiversity is for nature. In this sense, it is the common heritage of humanity and should be recognized and affirmed for the benefit of present and future generations”

– From Article 1 of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, 2001

In 2002, the General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed May 21 to be the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. The United Nations declares that this Day will “provide us with an opportunity to deepen understanding of the values of Cultural Diversity and to learn to ‘live together’ better.”

In honour of this day, UNESCO and the UN Alliance of Civilizations have launched a grassroots campaign called “Do One Thing for Diversity and Inclusion”, which aims to engage one million people across the globe to do one activity in support of diversity and inclusion.

For more information on the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, please consult the United Nations’ website.

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International Day Against Homophobia – May 17

International Day Against Homophobia - May 17

May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia. It is also the day on which the World Health Organization, in 1990, removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses. Over the last decades, the LGBT community and its allies have fought and won many battles towards equal rights. As a union, we are proud to stand with our LGBT brothers and sisters whenever their rights or dignity have been violated.

Despite the progress achieved in recent years, homophobia continues to be a key issue that negatively affects the LGBT community. It prevents many individuals from openly living their sexual orientation and contributes to the high suicide rate among LGBT individuals, especially among youth.

The International Day Against Homophobia provides an opportunity to work towards a prejudice-free world and celebrate our LGBT brothers and sisters’ contributions to society.

Please visit Fondation Emergence’s website where you will find a downloadable poster for your workplace.

If you wish to educate yourself further about LGBT realities, we highly recommend reading the Canadian Labour Congress’ booklet entitled To our Allies: Everything you ever wanted to know about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans issues.

Members working at Portage in the NCR are encouraged to wear purple (or a purple accessory) on May 17; the Bureau Régional d’Action Sida (leBRAS) and Jeunesse Idem will be distributing purple triangles at Place du Centre.

Do you know of something happening in your region? Email the National Component’s Communications Officer at communications@national-component.org.