May 2013
HEALTH AND SAFETY GRIEVANCE VICTORY
In late April, PSAC won a resounding victory when the Public Service Labour Relations Board ruled that the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) violated the Canada Labour Code when it retaliated against a PSAC member for raising health and safety concerns in the workplace. This case stands as the latest strong example of what your union can do for you when your employer acts unjustly towards you.
ADS ON STO BUSES
As of Monday May 27, the PSAC is running ads on 25 Gatineau STO buses highlighting the negative impact of the Conservative Economic Action Plan by noting that the Parliamentary Budget Officer has estimated a reduction of 67,000 jobs across Canada by 2017. If you see the ad, please take a photo and send it to us so that we can post it on our regional Facebook page. The ads will run for eight weeks.
GROCERY CHAINS TO PHASE OUT GESTATION CRATES
Back in December, members of the PSAC protested at a local Real Canadian Superstore (owned by Loblaw Ltd.) to ask that the store commit to higher standards of food safety and end the practice of using gestation crates. The direct action was organized following the release of a video showing flagrant abuse and questionable sanitary practices of pigs intended for human consumption at a hog farm in Manitoba. I am happy to report that in late April, eight of Canada’s largest grocers announced that they intend to phase out the use of gestation crates over the coming years.
CALLOUT: JOIN OUR LOBBYING TEAMS
We are currently creating member-based lobbying teams in each Conservative riding in the national capital region. These teams will be charged with coordinating members’ meetings with their Members of Parliament to explain the importance of union rights and that these not be rolled back. If you are interested in joining this lobbying team, please let me know by replying to this message.
TC AND FB BARGAINING
We continue to pressure Treasury Board to return to the bargaining table in the TC (Technical Services) bargaining process. Please see the latest update for more details. Meanwhile, Treasury Board attempted to circumvent the bargaining process in FB (Border Services) negotiations recently, but we forced them back to the table. The latest details relating to the FB group are online.
SOLIDARITY WITH CANADA’S DIPLOMATS
In mid-March, 1,350 members of the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO) voted 82% in favour of job action within the context of their collective bargaining with Treasury Board. They entered into a legal strike position on April 2 and initiated pressure tactics that day to help bring about a negotiated settlement. I would like to ask PSAC members to show solidarity for PAFSO members who are on strike and to respect the process by not performing any of the duties of striking employees. Please also check out their new video, which explains why they voted to strike.
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL DISCOUNTS FOR PSAC MEMBERS
Cirque du Soleil is launching its new show, TOTEM, this year, and is offering special discounts for members of the PSAC for select shows between July 11 and 31 in Ottawa. You can learn more about the show by watching the promotional video and you can buy the discounted tickets online. (From Cirque du Soleil: TOTEM traces the fascinating journey of the human species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly. The characters evolve on a stage evoking a giant turtle, the symbol of origin for many ancient civilizations.)
SEND US YOUR SUCCESS STORIES
Unions do important work but a lot of our work is invisible. PSAC-NCR would like to record the stories of members willing to share a moment when they were helped, or their rights were defended, because of help or representation from their union. Please click here for details on helping us out.
Larry Rousseau
Regional Executive Vice President
Public Service Alliance of Canada
National Capital Region
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