November 2013
BILL C-4 ANALYSIS AND RESOURCES: INFORM YOURSELF AND TAKE ACTION!
Back in October, I wrote about about the government’s budget implementation act, Bill C-4, which dramatically alters the public service collective bargaining process, and also weakens health and safety and human rights protections for federal sector workers.
Get the facts and tell your MP to oppose Bill C-4!
We’ve spent the last month doing further analysis on Bill C-4 and the regional website now has additional resources to help you take action, including graphics to share on your Facebook wall and sample letters to MPs with their contact details. Please take some time to inform yourself and take action to defend your rights!
PSAC gets its message out in the media
Moreover, we’ve also been spreading the word with news media about Bill C-4. PSAC’s Edith Bramwell took part in a discussion on CBC Radio, President Robyn Benson published an op-ed in the Ottawa Citizen, and I recently published my piece in theHuffington Post.
Listen to the recorded telephone town hall
Earlier this month, I also hosted several information sessions on Bill C-4 for members in the region, in addition to a telephone town hall discussion, which included polling and questions from members, that you can listen to here. And I heard you loud and clear—you are ready to take action with your union to defend your rights! (poll 1; poll 2; Q&A)
Get the facts and tell your MP to oppose Bill C-4!
We’ve spent the last month doing further analysis on Bill C-4 and the regional website now has additional resources to help you take action, including graphics to share on your Facebook wall and sample letters to MPs with their contact details. Please take some time to inform yourself and take action to defend your rights!
PSAC gets its message out in the media
Moreover, we’ve also been spreading the word with news media about Bill C-4. PSAC’s Edith Bramwell took part in a discussion on CBC Radio, President Robyn Benson published an op-ed in the Ottawa Citizen, and I recently published my piece in theHuffington Post.
Listen to the recorded telephone town hall
Earlier this month, I also hosted several information sessions on Bill C-4 for members in the region, in addition to a telephone town hall discussion, which included polling and questions from members, that you can listen to here. And I heard you loud and clear—you are ready to take action with your union to defend your rights! (poll 1; poll 2; Q&A)
CANADIAN LABOUR INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: NOVEMBER 29
PSAC NCR is sponsoring the next CLIFF film festival, which will take place right here in Ottawa at PSAC headquarters on the evening of November 29. Four films will be screened, including the acclaimed A Struggle to Remember: Fighting for our Families, and there will also be a special sneak preview of another PSAC-sponsored film, Simply the Best, on PSAC’s founder, Cal Best. Check out all the details here. It is a free event, but please contact treasurer@
ACORN OTTAWA MINIMUM WAGE FORUM: DECEMBER 3
On November 7, Ottawa Area Council chair David Lanthier presented at the Ontario Minimum Wage Advisory Panel on behalf of PSAC NCR, and affirmed our union’s support for raising the minimum wage to $14 as soon as possible and indexing it to inflation. Indeed, with the increasing cost of living in Ottawa, the current minimum wage of $10.25 is simply not enough. As part of its campaign to raise the rate, ACORN Ottawa is holding a forum on raising the minimum wage with provincial members of parliament on December 3 at 6pm at 233 Gilmour.
PSAC’S NEW SELF-DEFENCE COURSE FOR WOMEN: DECEMBER 7
According to Statistics Canada, 51% of women above the age of 16 will experience at least one incident of violence during their lives, and 1 in 10 women have experienced violence in the past 12 months. This unfortunate reality has inspired PSAC’s Ottawa Regional Women’s Committee to work with the Women Initiative for Safer Environments(WISE) to offer a new course on self-defence on December 7. The course, which will examine prevention techniques as well as offer physical defence tips, is open to all women members of PSAC.
STEWARD CLINIC: DECEMBER 7
Are you a union steward in your workplace? We are offering a full day steward workshop on December 7, which will help give you the tools you need to effectively represent and support your co-workers. You can sign up here.
UNITED WAY CHARITABLE CAMPAIGN: PLEASE GIVE
This year’s Centraide/United Way campaign is well underway and I would like to encourage you to continue giving as many of you have over the years. I’ve been hearing that many federal public service workers have been reluctant to give this year due to frustration with the Conservative government’s attacks. While this sentiment is completely understandable, let’s not forget that the United Way campaign is ours as public sector workers, and not the government’s. Many of our co-workers and PSAC members, particularly those who have lost their jobs recently, rely on social services funded through the United Way to make ends meet. As we get into the holiday season, please help if you can.
REGIONAL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS
The Pride Committee will be holding its elections on December 17.
2014 TRIENNIAL REGIONAL CONVENTION: REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Registration for delegates and observers is now open for the Triennial Regional Convention, scheduled for 9-11 May, 2014 in Gatineau. Click here for all the details.
SKI DISCOUNTS FOR PSAC MEMBERS AT VORLAGE
Now that the winter is here, have you considered taking up skiing? If so, take a look at the special rates on night ski lessons at Vorlage. Additionally, PSAC-NCR members presenting their ID cards can take advantage of special discount pricing on weekend and weekday lift passes.
Larry Rousseau
Regional Executive Vice President
National Capital Region
Public Service Alliance of Canada
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