Ministry of Finance: online budget consultations. Have your say / Consultations budgétaires en ligne du ministère des Finances : exprimez-vous!

(le français suit) 

Ministry of Finance: online budget consultations. Have your say

Now is your chance to tell the Ministry of Finance what you'd like to see in the upcoming federal budget.

• Have your say in the federal budget [http://bit.ly/AEeTic]

The department has an online questionnaire that lets you say what your priorities are for the next year.

It's a golden opportunity to give the Harper government feedback on their agenda of cuts to public services and tax breaks for profitable corporations. 

(English is above)

Consultations budgétaires en ligne du ministère des Finances : exprimez-vous!

Voici votre chance de dire au ministère des Finances ce que vous attendez du prochain budget fédéral.

• Ayez votre mot à dire sur le budget fédéral [http://bit.ly/AsX5qX]

Le ministère met à votre disposition un formulaire en ligne qui vous invite à définir vos priorités pour la prochaine année.

C’est une occasion en or de dire au gouvernement Harper ce que vous pensez de son projet : supprimer des services publics, tout en accordant des allégements fiscaux aux entreprises qui engrangent déjà d’énormes profits.

PA occupational groups: classification reform process begins / Groupe professionnel PA : début de la réforme de la classification

(le français suit)

Treasury Board has finally outlined its preferred model for new occupational groups for the Program and Administrative Services (PA) group.  This model suggests three new occupational groups including a separate group for work done by the Welfare Programs (WP) group.

The model was developed as a result of the review of the PA occupational groups.  While not perfect, there are positive elements that can build on previous pay equity gains and finally update classification standards. At the same time, we have some concerns about the implications of this model. We want to hear from members before the model is finalized.

PSAC has been raising the issue of classification reform for decades. After negotiating classification reform in the 2008 collective agreement, PSAC has been and will continue to be involved in consultations with Treasury Board on this process.  Eventually, the union will negotiate the salaries for each of the new classifications and levels.

The Occupational Group Structure (OGS) review is the first of five steps in our effort to get the employer to establish new and modern classification standards.

For PA members, all of the current classifications will disappear, regardless of how the final occupational groups look.  PSAC members at the Canada Revenue Agency and at Canada Border Services Agency have already been through a similar review of occupational groups and classifications, and many members have benefited from the process.

While the process will take time, we will do as much as we can to ensure that it moves swiftly while protecting your rights and interests.  We will continue to fight to ensure that members will benefit from having their work classified and compensated properly. 

Following the OGS review of the PA group, a review of the other Treasury Board occupational groups represented by PSAC will follow. The PSAC has pushed for the Technical Services (TC) group to be next in line.

• Full story: PA occupational groups: classification reform process begins (PSAC website: http://bit.ly/wezbXg)

(English is above)

Le Conseil du Trésor a enfin fait connaître le modèle qu'il préconise pour créer de nouveaux groupes professionnels à partir de l'unité de négociation Services des programmes et de l'administration (le groupe PA). Selon ce modèle, trois nouveaux groupes seraient créés, dont un groupe distinct pour les Programmes de bien-être social (WP).

Ce modèle est le résultat de l'examen du groupe PA. Même s'il n'est pas parfait, il renferme des éléments positifs qui permettront de bâtir sur des gains réalisés précédemment en matière d'équité salariale et de moderniser enfin les normes de classification. Néanmoins, nous avons des inquiétudes quant aux incidences que ce modèle pourrait avoir. Nous voulons connaître l'opinion des membres avant qu'un modèle définitif soit adopté.

L'AFPC réclamait une réforme de la classification depuis des décennies. Elle a finalement eu gain de cause en 2008, lors de la renégociation de ses conventions collectives. Depuis, le syndicat participe aux consultations du Conseil du Trésor sur ce processus et continuera de le faire, car son objectif ultime est de négocier les échelles salariales de toutes les nouvelles classifications.

L'examen de la structure des groupes professionnels est la première des cinq étapes de notre plan visant l'adoption de nouvelles normes de classification.

Toutes les classifications actuelles de l'unité de négociation PA disparaîtront, peu importe la forme qu'auront les nouveaux groupes professionnels. Les membres de l'AFPC à l'Agence du revenu du Canada et à l'Agence des services frontaliers du Canada ont déjà vécu une réforme des groupes professionnels et de la classification, et l'exercice a été avantageux pour beaucoup.

Le processus sera long, mais nous ferons notre possible pour qu'il se déroule rapidement et pour protéger vos droits et vos intérêts. Nous continuerons de nous battre pour que les emplois de nos membres soient adéquatement classés et rémunérés.

Après le groupe PA, le Conseil du Trésor examinera la structure d'autres groupes professionnels qui sont également représentés par l'AFPC. Cette dernière a fait pression pour que les Services techniques (TC) soit le prochain groupe à faire l'objet d'un examen.

• Histoire complète : Groupe professionnel PA : début de la réforme de la classification

An absurd choice / Un choix absurde

(le français suit)

Dec 2, 2011 – The PSAC says no giant squirrels were harmed in the making their new social media campaign, but the same cannot be said about public services. 

“Right now, the Conservative government is forcing Canadians to choose between a strong economy (no deficit) and strong public services,” wrote PSAC National President John Gordon in an email to union members on Friday. “The goal of the Third Choice campaign is to highlight the absurdity of this forced choice and encourage Canadians to ask for something better.”

The Third Choice campaign kicked off with a quirky video already circulating widely on Facebook and Twitter. It highlights the absurdity of forcing Canadians to choose between no deficit and strong public services.

Visit www.thirdchoice.ca to see the video for yourself! Don’t forget to share the video on Facebook and Twitter and encourage your friends to do the same.

(English is above)

2 décembre 2011 – L’AFPC dit qu’aucun écureuil géant n'a été blessé lors de la création de leur nouvelle campagne de médias sociaux. Malheureusement, on ne peut en dire autant des services publics, qui n'ont pas eu la même chance!

« Actuellement, le gouvernement conservateur oblige la population canadienne à choisir entre l’élimination du déficit et de bons services publics », a écrit John Gordon, président de l'AFPC, dans un courriel adressé aux membres du syndicat. « La campagne Troisième choix a pour but de souligner l’absurdité de ce dilemme et d’inciter les Canadiennes et les Canadiens à réclamer mieux. »

Une vidéo un peu excentrique a été créée pour lancer la campagne Troisième choix. La vidéo circule déjà largement sur Facebook et Twitter. Elle souligne l'absurdité du choix qu'impose le gouvernement entre l'élimination du déficit et de bons services sociaux.

Consultez le www.troisiemechoix.ca pour voir la vidéo. N’oubliez pas de la partager sur Facebook et Twitter et d’encourager vos amis à faire de même.

Our Union, Our Power: PSAC Priorities 2012-2015 / Notre syndicat, notre pouvoir : Les priorités de l’AFPC pour 2012-2015

(le français suit)

You are the PSAC. Your opinions are important. 

What do you think our union's priorities should be for the next 3 years? 

Take this survey and enter to win an iPad 2.

(English is above)

Vous êtes l’AFPC et votre opinion est importante. 

Selon vous, quelles devraient être les priorités de votre syndicat pour les trois prochaines années? 

Prenez ce sondage et participez pour gagner une iPad 2.

Our Union Voice – Autumn 2011 / Le Rassembleur – Automne 2011

(le français suit)

Our Union Voice is a quarterly tabloid newspaper, mailed to the homes of all 172,000 PSAC members. It features analysis of key economic and political issues, profiles of recent victories and interviews with progressive thinkers.

In this issue:

• PSAC launches campaign to protect public services
• Correction
• PSAC mourns the loss of Jack Layton
• A message from John Gordon - Building a people's opposition
• Cuts are on the way
• Ottawa/Gatineau “democracy school” energizes activists
• Union members fight to save search and rescue centres
• Canada Post lockout has implications for all workers
• Young workers gather at Edmonton conference
• PSAC's Ontario region encourages young workers to get out and vote
• Justice for Aboriginal Peoples – it's time! - Union campaign raises awareness of injustices
• Survey interviewers fight for better working conditions
• Regional convention delegates elect veteran activists and fresh faces
• News briefs
• Printable Version

(English is above)

Tabloïd trimestriel posté au domicile des 172 000 membres de l’AFPC. Cette publication présente une analyse des grands enjeux politiques et économiques et rend compte des victoires récentes et des entrevues réalisées auprès de personnes aux idées progressistes.

Dans ce numéro :

• Campagne nationale de l'AFPC : Protégeons les services publics
• Erratum
• L'AFPC endeuillée par le décès de Jack Layton
• Message du président national - Former une opposition populaire
• Et ça ne fait que commencer...
• Est-ce que la démocratie s'enseigne?
• Recherche et sauvetage : Continuons le combat
• Le lockout à Postes Canada a laissé un goût amer
• Conférence jeunesse à Edmonton
• Allez voter!
• Le temps est venu de rendre justice aux Autochtones
• Le personnel des OES veut de meilleures conditions de travail
• Des militants chevronnés et des nouveaux venus choisis par les délégués des congrès régionaux
• En bref
• Version imprimable

PSAC releases report on Public Service Modernization Act

PSAC releases report on Public Service Modernization Act:  

http://www.psac.com/news/2011/issues/20110915-e.shtml

2011 Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign

Dear Brothers and Sisters,


The 2011 Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC) will be officially launched on September 22, 2011.  Again this year, the members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada will once again make the difference by contributing generously to the campaign.


The GCWCC is one of the largest and most successful workplace fund raising campaigns in Canada.  Last year, PSAC members helped to improve the quality of life of people across the country by contributing to the more than $31 million raised in support of United Way/Centraide, Health Partners/Partenaires Santé and thousands of other registered Canadian charities.


PSAC members have a long-standing support of GCWCC; your involvement and commitment have contributed greatly to the success of the campaigns.  Again this year, we are faced with an increasing number of people who need the help of the various organizations funded by the GCWCC.  We urge you to contribute to the campaign by giving money and getting involved as a volunteer.


Be a star in someone's life and support the GCWCC! We encourage you to give generously to the 2011 Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign.


In solidarity,


John Gordon
National President


Patty Ducharme
National Executive Vice-President

2011 PSAC Scholarship Program

June 30 is the application deadline for the 2011 PSAC scholarship program.

This year features:

• more awards for PSAC members who are returning to school
• online application

How to apply:

• Scholarship guidelines
• Downloadable application form
• Online application

Questions? Contact scholarships@psac-afpc.com or 613-560-4292.

PSAC update on severance payouts

Background

• Since the signing of the PA, SV and EB collective agreements, PSAC has pressured Treasury Board and Public Works to prepare for implementation of payments in lieu of severance pay.
• We have strongly encouraged early, thorough and full communication by Treasury Board. While some departments have issued bulletins, central communication has been slow.

Information on payment process

• Within the next few weeks, the employer will inform all employees about the payment process.  It is possible your employer has already contacted you.
  Here is the latest information from PSAC about the payments in lieu of severance pay:

2011 PSAC National Aboriginal Peoples' Conference

“The Path that Unites us”

We are pleased to be sending you this Registration package for the PSAC National Aboriginal Peoples' Conference, which will be held September 30 to October 2, 2011 at the Explorer Hotel and the Yellowknife Inn in Yellowknife, NT, under the theme “The Path that Unites us”.
We encourage you to personally inform PSAC Aboriginal members in good standing to ensure they are made aware of this conference. Bulletin boards may not always be accessible and additional outreach is very important.
This registration package is available upon request in alternative format through the PSAC Programs Section by contacting us at 613-560-5457.
http://www.psac-afpc.org/conferences/2011/aboriginal-autochtone/home-e.shtml

Transformation of Pay Administration Initiative

The Conservative government’s Transformation of Pay Administration Initiative has started. This project that will see all pay services positions across federal departments relocated to Miramichi, New Brunswick. When completed, 553 jobs will be created at a new Centre of Expertise (COE). A parallel project will see the current pay system replaced by one based on commercially available, off-the-shelf software. The new pay system is to be rolled out in 2015.

The consolidation of pay services project will be rolled out in two phases. All affected members of the Agriculture Union are covered in the first phase involving departments using the PeopleSoft software that underlies the government’s existing Human Resource Management System (HRMS). Transfer of work from GC HRMS Departments to the COE will be done over the next five years in four waves, with the following proposed start dates, each lasting approximately 18 months:

          • Wave 1 – January 2011;
          • Wave 2 – June 2012;
          • Wave 3 – April 2014; and
          • Wave 4 – April 2015.

Phase II will consist of a feasibility study with respect to consolidation of Non-PeopleSoft Departments.

It is not known at this point which Departments will be in which wave. Anticipatory staffing for Wave 1 began in January. Deployment opportunities were offered to the current compensation community. Travel relocation directives will apply. We are aware that a problem with the deployment opportunities was identified for members working for CFIA. This issue was raised at the meeting with Treasury Board and it was recognized that CFIA employees should not have been screened out of the process. Internal and external (for AS-1 Trainee) recruitment processes have also been run.

The Agriculture Union is having discussions with management at all Departments where we have members employed in pay services to ensure that their rights are fully protected during this process. A Union/Management Committee between our bargaining agent, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, and Treasury Board level has been struck and an initial meeting took place on February 16, 2011.

The PSAC is very interested in setting up an AS Advisory Group and is looking for union activists from the compensation community to participate. If you are interested, please get in touch with our National Office. There is also a need to get home e-mail addresses for members of this community in order that the union can communicate directly with affected members to provide them with the latest information as it becomes available. If you have a home e-mail address and would like to be added to the mailing list, please let us know.

More information about this project will be posted as it becomes available.

What Locals Do

The Local carries out three important functions at the worksite. It provides workplace representation for those workers covered by PSAC collective agreements (including grievance representation and overall membership representation through union-management fora), it provides political leadership to the members, and it provides direction to the union, by ensuring Local concerns and issues are raised.  These functions are necessary to create a strong and effective union presence at the worksite.

Locals have the authority to elect their own officers, adopt By-laws and establish a dues structure to provide the funds required to operate.