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!

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.

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.

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.

Members: Get out and vote May 2!

Canada votes - May 2

The elections are fast approaching and we, at the National Component, wish to encourage our members to get out and vote on May 2! Please participate in the democratic process and make your voice heard!

As a public service employee, this is your chance to vote for your employer. You have the power to vote for the person who will have a direct impact on the important work you do for Canadians. You deserve an employer who respects the work you do on behalf of our nation.

Get informed. Read each party’s platform. Exercise an informed vote.

We also highly recommend reading the following article from Rabble.ca:
Ten reasons to oppose the Harper candidate in your riding

National Component Members at CLC Canadian Labour College

Union education in action!

The National Component is very pleased that four of its members have been selected to participate in this year’s Canadian Labour Congress Canadian Labour College. The first session is taking place in Port Elgin, Ontario from April 8-21. The four members are (left to right):

Michèle Milotte is President of Local 70080 in the National Capital Region. Michèle works for the National Capital Commission and is also the Assistant Regional Vice-President for the National Component in the NCR (Separate Employer) Region, among many other union activities.

Jennifer Ho is Vice-President of Local 20088 in Vancouver. Jennifer works for Passport Canada, and is also the National Representative for Racialized Members on the National Component Human Rights Committee. She is very active in her community and within the labour movement.

Layne Carr-Wyatt, Occupational Health & Safety Representative for Local X0150 in Iqaluit. Layne works for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, and is very involved in the Iqaluit Regional Women’s Committee and Area Council, among many other union activities.

Sandra Bello is President of Local 00394 in Hamilton. Sandy works for the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. She is also the Assistant Regional Vice-President for the Ontario Region and very active in the labour movement.

Standing together against racism

Standing together against racism
Geoff Ryan, ARVP for AB, NWT and NU taking part in an anti-racism protest

March 21 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racism. This day reminds us that racism still exists in our society – and that is unfortunate.

On March 18 and 19, the National Component was holding a regional seminar in Calgary. For the past few years, a white supremacist group called Blood and Honour has held “white pride” rallies to coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Racism in Calgary.

That morning, when I read the article in the Globe and Mail describing the white pride rally and the leader of Blood and Honour, I became angry – angry that there are people who feel that they are better than everyone else because of their skin colour or their religion. I was angry that these people felt they could go march the streets to spread their message of racial supremacy.

I had to do something; I could not let this go. I asked members at the western seminar if they would join me in protesting the white supremacist rally. I was happy have about 30 National Component members join this anti-racism protest. We met up with about 170 other like-minded folks who shouted slogans towards the Blood and Honour group for about an hour. At least I felt like we had done something positive.

Racism in any form is just wrong. We all have a responsibility to help eliminate racism, whether it is taking part in an anti-racism protest, speaking up against inappropriate jokes, or just accepting people as individuals and getting to know them a bit better. Talk to someone who is different than you and you will learn about that person – you will also be helping to make our society a better place for the next generation.

– Geoff Ryan
Assistant Regional Vice-President for the Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Region.

Flickr More photos are available on our new FlickR site! Please click here!

Get your resolutions in!

It's your chance to make it better!

As a National Component member, you are empowered to guide the leaders you elect and provide direction and ideas to build the union. The union – our union – is not an abstract concept; it is made up of real people who band together to protect and promote their rights. Your involvement is precious; it shapes our union and determines our priorities.

Between now and April 8, 2011, you have a key opportunity to make your voice heard.

We highly encourage you to submit resolutions. A short guide has been created to facilitate this process for you and members of your local. An online form will enable you to quickly submit your resolutions; a PDF version of the form is also available for those who prefer to send us their resolutions via fax.

Please consult the links below – and don’t hesitate to contact us if you require any assistance!

pdf Convention Resolutions – Guide
html Online Convention Resolutions Submission Form – Plain Language
html Online Convention Resolutions Submission Form – Traditional
pdf Convention Resolutions Submission Form – Plain Language
pdf Convention Resolutions Submission Form – Traditional

The Francophone Committee

The Francophone Committee

The National Component is proud to announce the creation of a new standing committee: the Francophone Committee.

During last January’s National Executive meeting, the creation of a new standing committee was approved. We are proud to announce that the National Component will henceforth feature a Francophone Committee within its official structure. More information will be made available shortly, via the Francophone Committee’s webpage on the National Component’s website. Please note that you may contact the committee via this email address: francophones@national-component.org

Present on the Committee’s photo: Ben René (technical advisor), Larry Rousseau, Jean-Pierre Naud (co-chair), Patrice Rémillar, Francine Auclair, Jean-Pierre Ouellet, and Louise Parice (co-chair).

Absent: Yvon Beaudoin, Suzanne Cadieux, Géraldine Fortin, and Michèle Milotte.