September 2 , 2010
Protect pensions and public services on Labour Day
This Labour Day, PSAC is celebrating the hard-won victories that union activists have achieved on behalf of the membership and the population at large.
The Harper government has been intent on destabilizing public services and human rights, with attacks on the census, the long-gun registry, employment equity and public sector jobs. But PSAC activists have fought back – scoring wins in favour of quality public services.
A major focus of the union's work this year has been our campaign to protect public sector pensions and guarantee retirement security for everyone. In the lead-up to the federal budget, PSAC members working in the federal public service mobilized in great force, wearing stickers and displaying posters with the message, “Hands off our Pensions.” The government got the message, keeping its hands off of the Public Service Pension Plan – for now.
More than 100,000 Canadians signed PSAC's pension petition and National Executive Vice-President Patty Ducharme hand-delivered it to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty in Charlottetown in June.
Recognizing that not everyone has access to a protected pension plan, PSAC members joined the Canadian Labour Congress' Retirement Security for Everyone campaign, demanding that the federal government double Québec-Canada Pension Plan benefits and immediately increase Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement for all retirees. Everyone has the right to retire with dignity and quality pension benefits are a significant factor to keeping seniors out of poverty.
As PSAC activists gather at Labour Day picnics, parades and community events this year, our union is renewing its commitment to fight for good pensions and accessible public services for everyone. With the threats we see to quality public services from the Harper government, all PSAC members, from coast to coast to coast, must be vigilant and active in standing up and defending our hard-won victories, and work together to continue making gains in the future.
Date Modified : 2010/09/02
