![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.une-sen.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/connie1.png\" "\\"connie\\"")
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May 19, 2005 <\/em>– <\/em>Declared surplus (guaranteed reasonable job offer) March 8, 2012 – <\/em>Still no indeterminate position (on assignment in underfill position within department)<\/em><\/p>\n If you think this is about more than one person, you couldn\u2019t be more wrong. Let me introduce myself: my name is Connie Gress and I started working for the federal government \u2014 in particular, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada \u2014 in 1987.<\/p>\n In 1991, I became active within my Local and on the Regional Women\u2019s Committees. In the early 90s, I also sat on a workforce adjustment committee for my department\u2026. (Yes, job cuts in the federal government are nothing new.) And boy did I learn a lot! Who could have guessed that that information would come in handy for me later on?<\/p>\n In 2000, I advanced from a CR4 to a PM2 position and became a policy research officer in intergovernmental relations. I thought: \u201cWow! This is it. I am set now.\u201d<\/p>\n I learned a lot and liked my job. Five years later, I was told that I was being declared surplus with a guaranteed job offer. Our unit was decimated: 15 positions became three. I was hardly alone.<\/p>\n For some time, I didn\u2019t have a position. My union referred me to the workforce adjustment appendix of my collective agreement; my employer did the same. I felt alone. In the end, I decided that I needed to look after myself. I read a lot, asked a ton of questions and was a real pain to our human resources department. I was eventually placed on assignment in human resources (which was a hoot, given that I was also the local president at the time!).<\/p>\n After a few months, a position came open as a software trainer in a new unit. It was actually a good learning experience; it led me to completing a certificate in adult education and taking facilitation courses. Things were going great, but as the old adage goes: \u201cif it seems too good to be true\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n The government just had to change! Just two years later, I was declared surplus for a second time. But this time, there was no guaranteed job offer. Once again, I felt like I needed to take hold of the situation. But, hey, I had experience dealing with this! My colleagues helped me find someone who wanted to alternate in our office; they were ready to retire and took the little extra package they gained as a surplus.<\/p>\n I once again had a job. Same department, different program; this time, I became a trust officer working with dependant adults. I really liked that job! As a public service employee, it\u2019s rare that you get to see the results of your hard work. I was very lucky. But, you know what they say: if it seems too good to be true\u2026.<\/p>\n Less than four years later, I was given a surplus notice, again, due to restructuring. This one came with a guaranteed job offer. I was placed on assignment, once again, doing something I knew nothing about! I\u2019ve been in that position now for a little more than year. There are some possibilities looming and I wholeheartedly believe that something will present itself \u2013 something that will challenge me and take me on to retirement.<\/p>\n This article isn\u2019t meant to be a pity party. My message to you, if you find yourself declared surplus, is this: sometimes you have to take charge of the situation.<\/p>\n I have some advice for anyone in a surplus position:<\/p>\n Lastly, don\u2019t lose your self-esteem, your belief in your skills and, most importantly, your sense of humour; you’re going to need it.<\/p>\n May 19, 2005 – Declared surplus (guaranteed reasonable job offer) November 14, 2005 – Indeterminate Position found within own department April 16, 2007 – Declared surplus (no guaranteed job offer) July 27, 2007 – Indeterminate position found within own department – February 21, 2011 – Declared surplus – \u00a0(guaranteed reasonable job offer) March 8, 2012 … <\/p>\n
\nNovember 14, 2005 – <\/em>Indeterminate Position found within own department
\nApril 16, 2007 – <\/em>Declared surplus (no guaranteed job offer)
\n<\/em><\/em><\/em>July 27, 2007 – <\/em><\/em><\/em>Indeterminate position found within own department –
\nFebruary 21, 2011 – <\/em> Declared surplus – \u00a0(guaranteed reasonable job offer)<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n
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\n ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.une-sen.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/connie_profile1.jpg\" "\\"connie_profile\\"")
<\/td>\nConnie Gress is a member of UNE <\/span>Local 40064 in <\/span>Saskatchewan <\/span>and chair of the Regina Regional Women’s Committee.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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