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Welcome to the PSAC e-mail news for the period of October 27 - November 14, 2003 Acrobat format
PSAC calls for protection for whistle-blowersA recent Environics poll commissioned by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) revealed that 89% of Canadians from all walks of like support the adoption of legislation which would protect whistle-blowers from retaliation. PSAC National President, Nycole Turmel, released the results of the survey on October 28, 2003, during a news conference held in Ottawa. Turmel was accompanied by Senator Noël A. Kinsella who introduced an amendment to Bill C-25, the Public Service Modernization Act, during Senate debate on the Bill. "We support Senator Kinsella's amendment," said Turmel. "It will not give our members all the protection they need, but it is a step in the right direction." In September, Turmel explained the PSAC position on whistle-blowing legislation to theSenate committee studying the Bill. According to Turmel, "whistle-blowing should be covered by separate and stand-alone legislation," which would include the following provisions: * Employee access to remedies in both civil courts and the grievance process. * A strong prohibition against disciplinary retaliation. * A clear definition of "harmful act" and "good faith." * A fully-funded, neutral agency responsible for the application of the Act and reporting directly to Parliament. During the 1993 election campaign, the Liberals promised whistle-blowing legislation in a letter to the PSAC. "Ten years later, and on the eve of another federal election, we believe the government should live up to its promise...as do most Canadians," says Turmel.
SSO signs tentative agreement with Field Interviewers, Regional Office Interviewers on strikeHalf of the unionized workforce at Statistics Canada's Statistical Survey Operations (SSO) has been on the picket line since Oct. 29, 2003, in a series of rotating strike actions, while Field Interviewers reached a tentative agreement on Oct. 31. SSO's Regional Office Interviewers, members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, are out across the country. They have been without a contract since November 2001 and in a legal strike position since August. Their walkout on Oct. 29 coincided with the first day of a Conciliation Board hearing for their co-workers, the Field Interviewers, members of another PSAC bargaining unit negotiating its first agreement. They, the Field Interviewers, concluded a tentative agreement two days after the hearing had begun. "Every day that SSO's Regional Office Interviewers are out on strike means that data collection for Statistics Canada surveys is disrupted and delayed," said PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President (NCR) Ed Cashman. "As strike action escalates, data will simply not be collected. Or, if it is, it will be collected by hastily hired, untrained workers." The weather wasn't co-operating in much of the country but that didn't stop SSO Regional Office Interviewers from walking off the job on October 29. The day began with an early morning walkout in Halifax which gradually spread across the country. About 150 striking Regional Office members converged in the National Capital Region, with many arriving by bus and car from Sherbrooke, Montreal, Kingston and Pembroke to Ottawa, to join in a demonstration in support of the Field Interviewers group on the first day of their Conciliation Board hearings. The members marched in the pouring rain from PSAC headquarters through the streets of downtown Ottawa before arriving at the offices of the Public Service Staff Relations Board, the site of the hearing. They distributed 500 bags of Halloween candy with a message asking supporters to e-mail Ivan Fellegi, Chief Statistician. Interviewers who participated in the Ottawa demo also made a spontaneous appearance at Statistics Canada's International Methodology Symposium in Gatineau where visitors from all over the world were in attendance. Interviewers arrived during the noon-hour conference banquet, entered the hall unchallenged and proceeded to sing and distribute leaflets to several hundred participants. The lively chorus continued out in the lobby while delegates were seen busily reading about the low wages being paid to SSO Interviewers. Wage increases to close the gap between Interviewers and their federal government counterparts were one of the demands by Field Interviewers and are still in dispute in the Regional Office bargaining unit. The Field Interviewers were also seeking allowances to compensate them for working out of their homes. The roughly 2,000 SSO Interviewers collect data by phone or in person. Statistics Canada uses this data to prepare surveys which allow decision-makers to analyze economic performance, develop fiscal and monetary policies, evaluate social programs and determine equalization payments.
RWC seminar empowers attendeesThirty women participated in a seminar sponsored by the Winnipeg Regional Women's Committee (RWC) on October 18. PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President (Prairies), Robyn Benson, opened the seminar with a presentation on Globalization and the Social Justice Fund. These topics were chosen to mesh with the workshop topics and other speakers. Seminar participants were also provided an update on the various on-going PSAC negotiations, were briefed on Bill C-25 and the negative impact this will have on all federal government workers and were given an overview of courses offered in the Joint Learning Program. The participants also found relevant and informative two workshops on "Women and the Economy" and "Leadership: Women Style." President of the Winnipeg Islamic Society, published author and YMCA-YWCA Peace Medal recipient, Shahina Siddiqui, ended the day by providing a spiritual element to the seminar. Shahina stressed to the participants that, as women, they are society's nurturers and care-givers and that they must work together to promote peace, understanding and tolerance globally. Her speech mirrored Benson's opening remarks about Globalization and Social Justice. The RWC held a silent auction and raised close to $160.00 for the Breast Cancer Education Program.
Bargaining UpdatePSAC coordinating Treasury Board bargainingPSAC negotiations teams for the four Treasury Board tables held their second joint meeting on Saturday, October 25. The Table 2, 3 and 5 teams reported on their second week of negotiations with the employer, giving the Table 1 team an idea of what to expect when they returned to bargaining on October 27. The teams reported that progess to date at the Tables has been slow. These joint meetings allow the teams not only to share information but to review and refine their bargaining strategies. The teams will hold their next joint meeting on November 22. Reports on each week's negotiations are posted on the PSAC Web site and e-mailed to subscribers. Demands related to health care, the dental plan and a variety of allowances are handled separately from these negotiations. For example, the dental plan agreement expires at the end of 2003 and the union's demands will be submitted before the end of the year. Look for more details on these issues on the PSAC Web site. Bargaining begins with Parks CanadaNegotiations for the second Parks Canada collective agreement began on October 28, 2003, with the exchange of proposals. The union bargaining team presented a comprehensive package of proposals seeking improvements to the collective agreement in a variety of areas. The union's position on pay will be presented at a later point in negotiations. Copies of the union's proposals are located on the PSAC Web site. In this round, the employer seems more restrained, seeking far fewer changes. There are still several employer proposals that are of concern to the union, including their suggestion that recognition of the concept of "a day is a day" for family-related and other forms of leave (which has been established through the PSAC's hard fought victory in the courts) would be abolished and employees working variable hours would have their leave limited to 7.5 or 8 hours. While it is too early to tell how this round of bargaining will unfold, the team feels there is a less confrontational approach being demonstrated by the employer. The parties have agreed to future dates in the first week of December as well as three sessions in the new year. Another two for the Social Justice FundTwo more collective agreements now have the Social Justice Fund (SJF), making the total up to six contracts that PSAC members have negotiated containing the Fund. PSAC members at the Pangnirtung Housing Association and the Inuvik Housing Authority signed collective agreements with their employers in October 2003 that ensure that employers will contribute one cent for each hour worked per employee. The contracts also contain provisions for improvements in leave and salary increases. The employer-donated funds will add to the $800,000 that PSAC has already contributed as start-up funding for the SJF. Much like the existing social justice and humanity funds of other unions such as the Steelworkers and the Canadian Auto Workers, the PSAC SJF will be used for crisis relief, anti-poverty initiatives and international development.
Recipient of the J.R. (Joe) Power Scholarship AwardThe PSAC is pleased to announce Melissa Hussey as the 2003 recipient of the J.R. (Joe) Power Scholarship Award. Melissa is the daughter of Beverly Bennett, member of UTE, Local 80003, Halifax, Nova Scotia. She will be studying psychiatry at St.Francis Xavier University. Each year this scholarship is offered in recognition of Brother Power's dedication and years of service to the PSAC membership. PSAC members, employees, spouses and children of members and employees, who are entering their first year of university or college, are eligible to apply for this $2,000 scholarship. Application forms are available from the PSAC Communications and Political Action Section, 233 Gilmour Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 0P1. The PSAC 2003 Scholarship WinnersEach year the PSAC offers four $1,000 Scholarships and a $300 Bursary for each province and the territories to sons and daughters of PSAC members who are entering their first year of university or college. For eligibility requirements and/or application forms please check our Web site at www.psac-afpc.com or contact the PSAC Communications and Political Action Section, 233 Gilmour Street, Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0P1. PSAC is proud to introduce this year's winners. Dany Morin, son of Hélène Morin, member of UTE, Local 10004, Jonquière, Québec, is studying medicine. He is the recipient of the Day of Mourning Scholarship and his essay was entitled, "More safety for better health." Amy Weir, daughter of Carol Weir, member of USGE, Local 90051, Roddickton, Newfoundland, is en-rolled in the executive office administration program at College of the North Atlantic in Corner Brook. Amanda Rae Loder, daughter of Carlotta Fennimore, member of CEIU, Local 90111, Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland, is studying psychology at Memorial University. Josée Mercier, daughter of Marcelle Mercier, member of Agriculture Union, Local 32 in Kapuskasing, Ontario, is enrolled in the field of Agronomy. She is attending Laval University in Québec. Kristina Mary Walsh, daughter of Gerald Walsh, member of UTE, Local 90000, St. John's, Newfoundland, is studying towards a business degree at Memorial University. Natalie Gilroy, daughter of Terry Gilroy, member of USGE, Local 80025, Springhill, Nova Scotia, is attending Holland College in Charlottetown. She would like to become a paramedic. Steven Aubé, son of Percy Aubé, member of UNDE, Local 60303, Moncton, New Brunswick, is working towards his Bachelor of Arts in teaching at Atlantic Baptist University. Isabelle Boivin-Racine, daughter of Francine Boivin, member of CEUDA, Local 10010, Québec, is studying journalism at Laval University. Maryse Benge, daughter of Albertine Benge, member of UPCE, Local 70180, Ottawa, is enrolled at the University of Ottawa in the field of medicine. Jenni-Lee Trautwein, daughter of Lori Day, member of UTE, Local 50031, Winnipeg, Manitoba, is working towards a Bachelor of Science at the University of Manitoba. Danielle Hébert, daugther of Lorraine Hébert, member of USGE, Local 40008, Regina, Saskatchewan, is studying to become a nurse at SIAST. Tyler Dennis, son of Dolly Dennis, member of CEIU, Local 30851, Edmonton, Alberta, is studying physical education at the University of Alberta. Caitlin Enwright, daughter of John Enwright, member of USGE, Local 20011, Vancouver, British Columbia, is working towards her B.A. at the University of British Columbia. |