News and Political Action

• Unions want more than just a review of contentious labour bill: Treasury Board President Scott Brison is sticking to his plan to review rather than repeal Bill C-4, the contentious Tory legislation that completely changed the ground rules for collective bargaining in the public service. The Ottawa Citizen.

• C-59, C-4: In January the government confirmed via a letter to PSAC they would table legislation to repeal Division 20 of Bill C-59. The legislation is expected to be tabled in parliament this week. PSAC will continue to challenge the constitutionality of Bill C-4 in the courts but is calling on the government to fix the problem itself rather than spend  money on costly litigation.
• C-525, C-377: The federal government tabled legislation to repeal anti-union bills C-377 and C-525 on January 28th.

Human Rights and International Solidarity

• Canada & Syria - did you know? While Canadians are welcoming our newest citizens from Syria, the PSAC BC Human Rights Committee is reaching out to make the transition to BC a little bit easier. The HRC is discussing possibility of volunteering with MOSAIC to assist, and so as a way of getting to know our new neighbours the Committee has gathered a series of Syrian factoids which we are posting weekly at the regional website - check back for more.

• Grievance Flowcharts - Grievances, and the timelines for filing and responding to them, are important elements when it comes to workplace problem solving. Did you know we have a collection of grievance flowcharts that outline the process and timelines at the website? If you don't see one for your collective agreement and think you'd find it useful, let me know and we'll do our best to make one for you.

• Royal Canadian Mint: The tentative agreement was ratified by PSAC members working for the Mint in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver.
• NavCanada: A tentative agreement has been reached and a ratification vote has been scheduled for members in Vancouver - details here.
• Treasury Board: Our Treasury Board teams are at the table this week - we anticipate a report very soon and will keep you up to date.
• CRA: We are trying to keep you informed of our attempts to return to the table and we understand that everyone is frustrated with the length of time this round of bargaining is taking - read more in this bargaining update from Madonna Z. Gardiner, 2^nd National Vice-President, UTE.
• SSO: SSO interviewers demand respect and fair treatment - an update from the bargaining conference.
• Swissport fuelers and supervisors at YVR: A tentative agreement has been reached and a ratification vote has been scheduled - details here.
• IMP Group, Comox: the next round of negotiations is scheduled for February - as always, we'll keep you updated.
• CFIA: Bargaining was scheduled for January, but postponed while the employer looks at the mandate. Some background & bargaining issues at the national website.
• Parks: Bargaining dates are being formulated, in the meantime: the PSAC and employer proposals are at the national website.

Union Education

Winter/Spring 2016 Course Schedule

Vancouver Island

Public Speaking for Trade Unionists - Feb 20 - Victoria
Combo TUB/UICA - Mar 12,13- Nanaimo
Combo TUB/UICA - Apr 2,3 - Courtenay

Lower Mainland

Combo TUB/UICA - Feb 6,7
Public Speaking for Trade Unionists - Apr 2
Grievance Handling - Jun 4,5

Abbotsford

Understanding & Interpreting the CA - Feb 6
Local officers Course - Apr 16,17

South Interior

Combo TUB/UICA - March 5,6  - Kelowna
Local officers Course Apr 16,17 - Kamloops

Northern BC

Representing Members with Mental Illnesses - Feb 20 - Prince Rupert
Understanding & Interpreting the CA Feb 21 - Prince Rupert
Health & Safety Activism May 28,29 - Prince George

More information about these courses at the website. Apply online here.
 

Meetings and Events

February is Black History Month - In the spirit of solidarity in struggle, PSAC recognizes and celebrates the important past and present contributions of Black people and people of African descent - read more in the PSAC statement on Black History Month at the national website.

PSAC is encouraging members to commemorate African Heritage/Black History Month by learning, organizing or participating in events in their workplaces and communities that raise awareness of the struggles and contributions of Black workers or workers of African Heritage in the Canadian labour movement. To this end, the PSAC BC Racially Visible Caucus and the Union of National Employees BC and Yukon have created a series of posters and bookmarks that commemorate labour leaders within the PSAC and the broader labour movement - we encourage you to download them for your worksite. Union and community members have also organized a Black History Month Celebration, February 13th from 1 to 4PM in New Westminster.

Thanks for reading *|FNAME|*!

Patrick Bragg
PSAC Vancouver Regional Office
604 430 5631 | 1 800 663 1655

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