May 2^nd, 2006

Human rights activists inspire Convention delegates

Delegates had an opportunity to hear from three outstanding speakers during the convention's human rights forum. Sandra Carnegie-Douglas described the impact of race, poverty and violence on the African-Canadian community, particularly in Ontario . According to Carnegie-Douglas, a program director with the Canadian Race Relations Foundation and president of the Jamaican Canadian Association, the primary underlying barrier facing her community is anti-black racism. "It's there, it's visible, it's invisible. It transcends the cultural diversity within the community."

She decried the fact that minimum sentences and increasing incarceration are seen as the answer to gun violence, rather than addressing the root causes. She noted that the African-Canadian community is mobilizing and working on an action plan involving the municipal, provincial and federal governments. "We don't want a hand-out. Governments and public institutions have a responsibility to work with marginalized communities." She called on delegates to work to eliminate marginalization, exclusion and racism.

Terry Fenge, strategic counsel to the Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC) warned of the dangers facing the Inuit culture and economy. "How would you feel if you were told that you were doomed to become a footnote to globalization?" he asked delegates.

Over 300 scientists in 15 countries, working with indigenous peoples conducted an arctic climate assessment. The study was unique in that it also looked at culture and health, as well as socio-economic factors. The news isn't good. In the Arctic , marine species that the Inuit people depend upon for food are facing extinction, effectively destroying their economy and culture.

In response 62 Inuit in Canada and Alaska are named in a petition which was submitted to the Inter American Commission on Human Rights last December. The petition doesn't ask for damages but is a political strategy to show leadership and encourage others to take similar action. "Global warming is the ultimate threat to the culture and economy of the North," warned Fenge. "What's happening in the North will eventually happen in the South. The Arctic is the world's barometer and the Inuit are the mercury in the barometer."

Canadian union leaders don't have to live with the constant threat of violence. This is not the case in Colombia where unionists face constant persecution, according to Maria Eva Villate, a lawyer and human rights instructor. Between August 2002 and January 2005, there have been 265 murders, 984 death threats, 185 arbitrary detentions, 15 illegal home occupations, 35 attempted assassinations against union leaders. Seventy have vanished without a trace, 23 have been kidnapped, while 133 have been internally displaced. "All these attacks are a flagrant violation of human rights and a direct result of globalization," said Villate.

She acknowledged with deepest gratitude the solidarity and support from the PSAC through the Social Justice Fund. "Your arms and eyes are supporting the efforts of Columbian workers."

Child care an issue of equality

The establishment of a quality, accessible, universal Early Learning and Child Care Program is an issue of equality. The Harper government's plan to cancel agreements with the provinces sets back the development of a national child care program for years to come.

While income support for families is a valid policy, a taxable family allowance and a tax credit for employers will not create the early learning and child care services that working families need.

In a statement read to the convention, the union encouraged all members to sign the Child Care Advocacy Association's open letter ( www.buildchildcare.ca ) calling on the government to fund a non-profit, universal child care program for all Canadian parents.

Finance committee

Delegates adopted the 2007-2009 budget amended to eliminate the dues increase by increasing the membership base and adjusting the average salary used to calculate revenue to reflect actual salaries at the end of 2005. They also reduced a number of line items in the budget. The strike fund dues is still to be debated by delegates.

Constitution Committee

Resolution C-S 04 (covers C-S 03): Members employed for intermittent but regularly repeating periods of casual and other temporary employment shall be considered members in good standing for six months or until one month past the effective date of the next regular round of reappointments to their position, whichever is shorter.

Referred back to the Committee.

Res. C-S 06(A) (covers C-S 05 and 06): Members may revoke their membership within a specified period.

Referred back to the Committee.

Res. C-S 13 : PSAC will be responsible for all grievances at the adjudication level, not just those against the collective agreements. Recommendation of concurrence – carried.

Res. C-S 14 : Sets a 2,500 member threshold for the establishment of a new Component, up from the current 1,500. Recommendation of concurrence – carried.

Res. C-S 15 : Clarifies the existing ability of Directly Chartered Locals (DCLs) to establish dues. Recommendation of concurrence – carried.

Res. C-S 28 : Alliance Executive Committee (AEC) members are to provide detailed activity reports to National Board of Directors' (NBoD) meetings. Recommendation of concurrence – carried.

Res. C-29: In addition to Components, DCLs may be part of the application process to establish an Area Council. Recommendation of concurrence – carried.

Amended Res. C-S 30 (covers parts of C-S 30 and 31): Gives Regional Women's Committees and constitutionally recognized Regional Committees the right to participate in Area Councils with voice and vote. Recommendation of concurrence – carried.

Amended Res. C-S 32 (covers C-S 33 and part of 37): Replaces all references to Unity in the PSAC Constitution with the words "Aboriginal Peoples and Racially Visible persons". Recommendation of concurrence – carried.

Res. C-S 108 : NBoD members must provide a detailed report on disciplinary action against scabs in their Components within six months of the conclusion of a ratification vote. Recommendation of non-concurrence – defeated. Motion of concurrence – carried

We deliver!

BHP strikers received a boost as delegates collected over $4,100 for them. NEU Local 4 along pledged $2. per striker and donated $800. UNW President Todd Parsons thanked the convention and urged Locals and Components to pledge their support.

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