May 4, 2006

Turmel: This union is too important to all of us

Tributes to outgoing President Nycole Turmel have been the order of the day, even in Parliament. On May 1, BQ MP Vivian Barbot rose in the House of Commons to recognize Nycole Turmel's hard work and contribution, such as the union's federal pay equity settlement and the Social Justice Fund.

Convention delegates, observers and guests took time on Thursday to also pay tribute. A PSAC-produced video celebrating her achievements was screened for the first time.

Regional Executive Vice-President (Atlantic) Jeannie Baldwin co-chairing the session with REVP (Quebec) Jerome Turcq noted that there are three things in life that make you happy - someone to love, something to do and something to hope for. In Nycole's case, it has been the union, the union and the union.

“You'll be missed” was a frequent phrase as delegates praised Nycole's leadership and presented her with gifts and good wishes. They spoke eloquently of her as a leader who is not afraid to make the hard decisions and one who inspires members by her example.

Aboriginal members from several regions reminded the delegates that the National Aboriginal, Inuit and Metis Network (NAIM) was created during Nycole's presidency and presented her with traditional gifts to bring her peace and happiness in her retirement. It was the first time that Inuktitut was spoken at a PSAC convention.

Sister Turmel was also presented with a totem by CEIU President Jeannette Meunier-McKay, on behalf of the members of Nycole's home Component, symbolizing her union activism. The eagle represents courage, the loon peace and tranquility, the bear strength, the hawk wisdom and cunning, all standing on the turtle earth.

“I'm proud to have worked with Nycole who continued the tradition of making PSAC a better and more inclusive union,” said former President Daryl Bean.

“What can you say after all of this”, Nycole responded. She indicated there were many reasons for her involvement in the union but the CR strike in 1980 was the turning point. She also spoke of her first political fight to keep open the base at Mont Apica.

She thanked PSAC members and her family for their support during her union career. “I'll leave this union happy”, she said. “I know members will keep on pushing and pushing. Don't give up. This union is too important for all of us.”

Labour Congress supports quality public services.

Canadian Labour Congress President Ken Georgetti has pledged the support of the Congress to our union's campaign for quality public services.

“We are working together to defend the quality of the public services that you deliver to the people of Canada and to fight any privatization attempts by the Conservative government,” he said.

Georgetti believes Canadians want a government that is there for people when they need services and the best way to deliver quality services is within the public sector.

In tribute to Nycole Turmel's long and successful career in the labour movement, Georgetti said that she always demonstrated leadership within her own union, as a member of the CLC Executive Committee and at the international level with Public Services International.

Georgetti also thanked Turmel and PSAC members for helping the United Food and Commercial Workers at a meat packing plant in Brooks Alberta achieve a first collective agreement.

Members step up for the environment

PSAC members working at the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Agency have donated, and will plant, enough trees to help green the PSAC convention. Over their lifetime, these trees will eliminate the carbon dioxide participants have created by travelling to and from the convention, as well as replacing the trees cut down to produce the paper used for the convention.

Collective Bargaining Committee

Composite resolution NEG61A : This is a detailed resolution mandating the union to make the elimination of regional rates of pay a priority and laying out the steps the union will take to achieve this goal, including bargaining, grievance and political action campaigns and the creation of a National Steering Committee to develop a national strategy. Recommendation of concurrence – carried unanimously.

Res. NEG48 : The union will apply for Ships Crews (SC) members to be given their own bargaining table. This resolution will increase dues by six cents per member per month (to cover the costs involved in bargaining for this group as a separate unit). Recommendation of concurrence – carried.

Res. NEG05 : Change PSAC Regulation 15 to give the National President the authority to intervene directly or indirectly with senior management representatives in an attempt to resolve an impasse and to put an employer's final offer to a membership vote after asking the negotiating team for its recommendation. Recommendation of concurrence – defeated.

Student Employment Policy (covers NEG83 and NEG92): This policy directs the PSAC to take a comprehensive set of actions to ensure that Student Employment Programs provide students with opportunities and income without being exploited and without undermining the employment security of PSAC members. Some of these actions include preparing a handbook for use by Locals, tracking the use of students in bargaining unit positions, taking action to ensure students are properly trained, organizing, and working with the Canadian Federation of Students. This resolution will increase dues by five cents per member per month in 2007 and six cents in 2008 and 2009. Recommendation of concurrence – carried.

Constitution Committee

Res. C-S 04(amended) : Members who are employed for intermittent but regularly repeating periods of temporary employment shall be considered in good standing if unemployed for a period of six months or one month past their regular reappointment date. Members who pay dues but are excluded from coverage under the collective agreement by virtue of the amount of hours worked shall also be considered members in good standing. Recommendation of concurrence – defeated.

Res. C-S 133 : Members elected as full-time Component Vice-Presidents who are required to relocate to the National Capital Region shall, within 30 days, notify the PSAC if they intend to participate in the NCR caucus or in the caucus in the region in which they lived immediately prior to election. Recommendation of concurrence – carried.

Res. C-S 41A : PSAC would fully fund the triennial regional conventions. Representation at these conventions would be according to a formula in the Constitution. Recommendation of concurrence – defeated.

Correction

Resolution C-S 36, provides for the establishment of separate regional committees for Aboriginal and Racially Visible members, as well as separate fully funded national conferences. The recommendation of concurrence was carried, not defeated as reported in the May 3 edition of Convention Notes.

A note about Notes

The Friday, May 5 edition of Convention Notes will not be printed but will be available at www.psac-afpc.com.

Printable Version, PDF 85,0kb