PSAC BC Regional Newsletter for June 2015
  
Jump to: News and Political Action | Education | Meetings and Events
News and Political Action
PSAC in the news - reaction to Bill C-59
- Federal government sick leave plan cost may never be public - Robyn Benson is quoted at cbc.ca
- Don Turner, President of PSAC/CIU Branch 20045 explains why PSAC members are protesting Bill C-59 - video Global BC 1 News
- Federal unions threaten legal action over omnibus budget bill - metronews.ca
- Robyn Benson at the House of Commons Finance Committee - video at facebook
Call or email your MP!
PSAC members in BC have been calling and emailing their MPs to let them know how they feel about Bill C-59 and telling them they expect the government to respect collective bargaining rights. Please take a few minutes to call or send an email to your Member of Parliament.
You have political rights!
Until 1988, the Public Service Employment Act did not allow federal public sector workers to take part in political activities beyond simply casting their vote. In 1991 the Supreme Court of Canada upheld a Federal Court decision that struck down these restrictions and confirmed that restrictions on political activities should not apply to the vast majority of federal workers. Read more at the regional website.
Federal Election resources
The federal election is scheduled for October 19, 2015. This is our chance to vote for a better future for all Canadians. Those of us that are federal public service workers are also voting for our next employer. Here’s some information you need to know before going to the polls.
Veterans speak out against loss of front line services - watch the videos at the national website.
Have you taken the PSAC BC Young Workers Survey yet? If you're 35 years of age or younger take the survey and you'll be entered in a prize draw!
Bargaining
- FNHA - PSAC is proud to announce that members of PSAC Local 22000 have ratified their first negotiated collective agreement with the First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia.
- Treasury Board - All five Treasury Board teams chose not to meet with the employer in May - we are back at the table next week.
- Canada Revenue Agency - We met the CRA in mediation on Wednesday and Thursday. We came ready to negotiate. Unfortunately the Agency came to mediation with no movement. All CRA updates here.
- Parks - Our bargaining team met with the Agency on May 26, 27 and 28. Updates here.
- SSO - Bargaining teams for both the Regional Office and Field Interviewer groups have finally reached the finish line in our protracted round of bargaining with Treasury Board. Read more.
- CFIA - The team met in Ottawa May 26th to 28th to develop the package of bargaining demands. More here.
Union Education
Our weekend course schedule for spring 2014 is now complete - stay tuned for courses coming up in the summer and fall!
Meetings and Events
National Public Service Week
PSAC BC Mainland Human Rights Committee BBQ and Open House, all members are invited! June 16th in Vancouver - details
Public Service Softball Tournament, June 17th in Vancouver - details
Negotiate, don't legislate. Rally for public services and collective bargaining rights, June 17th in Nanaimo - details
PSAC Young Workers Mixer & Social, all young workers invited! June 17th in Vancouver - details
Public Service Softball Tournament, June 19th in Victoria (lunch speakers at noon) - details
Respect workers' rights and public services! Rally in Vancouver, June 19th at lunch - details
PSAC BC in the Community
Activists will be out and about at summer events throughout BC - look for us at these events and others. Are you interested in volunteering or participating? Email me back!
- Seafest Parade, June 13th in Prince Rupert
- National Aboriginal Day Celebrations, June 21 in Prince Rupert and Vancouver
- Pride Celebrations, June 28th in Surrey and July 5th in Victoria
- Along with other unions at Surrey Fusion Festival, July 18 & 19
Regularly Scheduled Meetings
BRUSH (H&S Committee) meeting - June 10, Vancouver & via conference call
Victoria Regional Womens Committee meeting - June 11, Victoria
Mainland Human Rights Committee BBQ & Open House - June 16, Vancouver
North Vancouver Island Area Council - June 20, Courtenay
Okanagan Human Rights Committee - June 27, Penticton
More information on all of these events at the calendar.
Summer is here *|FNAME|*! Did you know PSAC members get preferred rates at Delta Hotels & on Avis car rentals? Find out more here.
Patrick Bragg
PSAC Vancouver Regional Office
604 430 5631 | 1 800 663 1655
psacbc.com | facebook.com/psacbc | twitter.com/psacbc
Do you have news or know of an event that may be of interest to PSAC members? Got feedback on the newsletter? Just want to say hi? Email me back. |
