Union Update

September 26 -October 7, 2005

Acrobat format

In this issue:

• PSAC wins pay equity adjustments forCanada Post workers
• Unity Conference calls for separate national forum for Aboriginal members
• Bargaining Update
• CEIU Convention
• CEUDA Convention
• Mark Brunell elected to third term as GSU President

PSAC wins pay equity adjustments for Canada Post workers

PSAC’s pay equity complaint against Canada Post has resulted in a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal awarding pay equity adjustments and interest worth at least $150-million to about 6,000 current and former clerical workers at the Corporation. 

“It has taken over 22 years to reach this day,” says PSAC National President Nycole Turmel, “but the union’s complaint that Canada Post was not paying equal pay for work of equal value has been upheld.”

The Tribunal has awarded pay equity adjustments to clerical workers retroactive to August 24, 1982.  It has also awarded simple interest, retroactive to the same date, based on Canada Savings Bonds rates.  Any interest that accumulates from October 7, 2005 will be calculated at the Court of Justice rate. In addition, the adjustments will apply to benefits such as pensions, overtime and acting pay.

No sooner had the decision been issued, Canada Post announced it had filed an appeal to have it quashed.  The appeal will likely hold up implementation of the decision until the Trial Division of the Federal Court hears the case.  PSAC will be mounting a political campaign to pressure the government to have Canada Post withdraw the appeal.

“If there is a downside to this decision, it is that Canada Post has benefited from its lack of cooperation with the complaint investigation process,” says Turmel.  “While the Tribunal has supported our pay equity claim, concerns were raised over the quality of the job data, a direct result of Canada Post’s total failure to proactively investigate and deal with the complaint and to cooperate with the investigation process.  These concerns led the Tribunal to award 50% of what the union and the Canadian Human Rights Commission calculated was owed to our members. 

According to Turmel, this is just more proof that a new proactive pay equity law is needed now.  PSAC is calling on the Liberal government to introduce new legislation without delay.

Unity Conference calls for separate national forum for Aboriginal members

“It is a sad day, but also a day of celebration,” said a delegate at the 2005 PSAC Unity Conference in support of a resolution that calls for funding of a PSAC national conference for Aboriginal members.

The proposed conference will be separate from a national conference for racially visible members, in recognition of the unique identities of the two equity groups.  The resolution passed and, among others, will be forwarded to the PSAC Triennial Convention in May 2006 for consideration by the highest decision-making body of the union. 

Eleven other resolutions were passed at the Conference, including an amendment to the PSAC Constitution to replace the word “Unity” in Section 15 with the words “Aboriginal People and Racially Visible persons.”  A full list of the resolutions debated at the Conference can viewed on the PSAC web site at www.psac-afpc.org .

“While this will be my last Unity Conference as PSAC National President, I sincerely hope that this is the last Unity Conference as we know it,” said Nycole Turmel, who expressed her support for the call for separate conferences for the two equity groups in her presidential address at the Conference.  Delegates later presented her with a Métis sash and sweetgrass as a token of appreciation for her support and work around equity issues in the labour movement.

Delegates also heard speeches about leadership from June Veecock, the former Director of Human Rights at the Ontario Federation of Labour, and Beverly Jacobs, the President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada.  University of Saskatchewan’s Director of the Indigenous Peoples Program Priscilla Settee and Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations Executive Director Fo Niemi spoke about the negative effects of globalization on human rights and civil liberties. The Canadian Labour Congress Director of Anti-racism and Human Rights, David Onyalo, also gave a solidarity message at the Conference.

The Conference’s focus on racism and discrimination did not detract from the fact that the delegates were also true labour activists as they supported the locked-out CBC workers by passing the hat and raising more than $2,000 for the workers.  The total amount included contributions from the PSAC, some Components and Locals.

Equal Opportunities Committee representatives and their alternates were also elected during the Conference. Vicki Zyzniewski and André Paul were elected as the PSAC Aboriginal representatives, and Terri Lee and Mastaki M’Sebuyange were elected as the Racially Visible representatives.

For three days, from Sept. 22 to 25, National Executive Vice-President John Gordon and Regional Executive Vice-President for the North Jean-François Des Lauriers shared the task of chairing the Conference, which was held in Halifax, N.S.

PSAC National President Nycole Turmel is presented with a Métis sash by Conference Steering Committee member Michael Ballard in appreciation for her contribution to equity issues in the labour movement.

Bargaining Update

•  Negotiations between PSAC Local 70401 and the Canada        Science and Technology Museum Corporation began with the exchange of bargaining proposals July 12-13, 2005 and continued September 6-8 and 26-30, 2005.

The Negotiating Team and the Employer spent the week of September 26 to 30 resolving issues that were not related to classification and ended the week with a preliminary discussion on the conversion to a new classification standard. Further talks are scheduled for October 31st to November 3rd and November 7th to November 10th.

•  PSAC Local 50602 and the Avion Services Corp. at the     Winnipeg Airport have reached a new three-year contract. The deal calls for monetary in-creases of three per cent per year up to the end of 2008. The 78 PSAC members provide parking, security and retail services at the airport.

•  Notices to bargain were served to Pimakslirvik Corporation, Chesterfield Inlet in Nunavut, Amethyst Women’s Addiction Centre in Ottawa and to Pavillon Murray in Montreal.

•  The SSO Field and Regional Office Interviewer bargaining teams have reached tentative agreements with the employer after several days of hard bargaining. Work has begun on preparing the ratification kits.

CEIU Convention

Delegates modify election procedure

Incumbent President Jeannette Meunier-McKay was returned to office by acclamation on the fourth day of CEIU's convention held in Regina, Saskatchewan, September 10-14, 2005. In a two-way race for the National Executive Vice-president position, delegates elected incumbent Janet Letwinka for a second three-year term.

In the contest for Alternate National Executive Vice-president, BC's Bruce Clark won after three rounds of balloting in a five candidate field.

Among the main resolutions, the delegates decided to tackle a long-standing problem within CEIU: the length of time it takes to elect the national vice-presidents. The resolution changed the 50% +1 criterion for election to one of plurality.

They also called for immediate action against the negative impact of Service Canada and voted to actively assist the PSAC in its efforts to maintain the quality of services to Canadians and to protect public sector jobs.

Delegates joined striking Regina municipal workers on their picket lines. The strikers, members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the Amalgamated Transit Union, have been without a contract since January, 2004. Delegates and observers marched to city hall for a rally with the striking workers. Both PSAC National President Nycole Turmel and CEIU President Jeannette Meunier-McKay addressed the rally, offering their support and encouragement. After the rally, CEIU members entered the mayor's office and finding him gone, left clear messages about the treatment of city workers in his guest registry. When the convention resumed in the afternoon, a collection for strikers netted $1000.

One of the guest speakers at the Convention was the Fire Chief of the rural municipality of Swift Current, Erin Nagers. When Ms. Nagers was appointed Fire Chief, she became the first female Fire Chief in Canada. She gave examples of various systemic biases she has encountered over the years and spoke of the importance of education, awareness, challenging the status quo and the value of diversity.

CEUDA Convention

Dues don’t increase, but mobilization does

The delegates at the 14th national CEUDA Convention in Ottawa adopted a no dues increase budget. The convention was held from September 29 to October 2.  Delegates also showed great support for CEUDA’s former National President, Ron Moran, and acclaimed him to another term in office.

Also back in office for another term are Jean-Pierre Fortin (Quebec Eastern Townships) as 1st National Vice-President, Steve Pellerin-Fowlie (Calgary, Alberta) as 2nd NVP, and Carolyn McGillivray (Surrey, B.C.) as CEUDA’s Equal Opportunity (EO) Representative.

New members elected to the National Executive are Mike Walker (Fredericton, NB) as 3rd NVP, and George Scott (Vancouver, B.C.) as 4th NVP.

A new Resolution also led to the election of an Alternate EO Rep, Danielle Dubuc (Lacolle, Quebec).

Speakers included Sister Nycole Turmel, PSAC National President, Hassan Yussuff, Secretary Treasurer of the Canada Labour Congress, Patty Ducharme, PSAC Regional Executive VP – B.C., Michel Chevalier, National President of APSAR, and Tony Cannavino, President of the Canadian Professional Police Association. All spoke with passion and hope, and delivered excellent messages on the importance of solidarity, of working together, and of being part of a greater family.

Tony Cannavino announced to the delegates that the CPPA National Board of Directors, representing 54,000 Police Officers across Canada, had recently voted to unanimously support the arming of Customs Officers. With support from the PSAC, and others like the CPPA and the CLC, CEUDA has every intention of staying its course and, more importantly, picking up the pace to increase pressure on the Federal Government.

Northgate Group Reps, now studying the issue of office safety  for Customs, heaped praise on CEUDA for its lead on this important issue and reminded all delegates that as many members as possible need to be interviewed by Northgate.

Mark Brunell elected to third term as GSU President

Government Services Union (GSU) Local Presidents will now be getting together twice between Component conventions to share information and strategize, thanks to a decision by delegates at their latest convention. The delegates agreed to add one more meeting of their Local Presidents’ Council. The decision will increase the component’s dues slightly, from .5489% to .5605% a month. Delegates also adopted a three-year budget which did not include any additional dues increase.

The convention reviewed a report on proposed changes to the Component’s structure. The structure review came about as a result of a resolution adopted at the GSU convention in 2002. Delegates supported the recommendation to create a Local development program. However, proposed changes to the Component and executive structure failed to receive the two-thirds majority vote needed to amend the GSU’s By-Laws.

Mark Brunell was re-elected by acclamation to his third term as GSU National President, as was Equity Officer Wilma Findlay. The other Component officers elected at the convention include National Vice-Presidents Randy Ford, Alex Sauvé and Dan Charron and Regional Vice-Presidents Bill Walsh (Newfoundland & Labrador), Michael Lavery (Nova Scotia), Russel Carter (New Brunswick & PEI), Sylvie Harrisson (Quebec East), Pierre Laberge (Quebec West), Bob Boileau, Nadine Lethbridge, Rick Laalo, Ray Zwicker (National Capital Region), Bill Dennis (Southwestern Ontario), Victor Austin (North and Eastern Ontario and Toronto), Ed Janis (Manitoba & Saskatchewan), Terry Sperling (Alberta & NWT), Phil Robinson (Lower B.C. Mainland & Vancouver) and Elizabeth McCormick (B.C. & Yukon).

The convention was held in Quebec City from September 13 to 15, attended by 79 delegates and several dozen observers.

Union of Canadian Transportation Employees

Convention brings many changes

Delegates to UCTE's 13th Triennial Convention descended on St. John's, Newfoundland, with a strong desire to make this one of their best conventions yet. And it would appear they were successful.

Many resolutions, specifically dealing with communications and the National Office, were passed, with the intent of making UCTE more progressive and more proactive than it has been in the past.

The National Executive members were all acclaimed to their respective positions, except for that of National Vice-President. Wayne Elliott, who is retiring in a few weeks, did not run. Christine Collins, former RVP Ontario, was acclaimed to the position. Collins is the first woman to hold this position in the history of UCTE.

Of note, a resolution was passed that split the Ontario Region into two distinct regions, each with its own RVP. Elected to the position of RVP Ontario was Steve Tuffin, of Local 00012 in Windsor. Darlene Brown, of Local 70703, was elected to the position of RVP NCR.  The other members of the UCTE National Executive are Michael Wing, President, Stephen Dunsmore, RVP Pacific, Richard Côté, RVP Quebec, Kerry Williams, RVP Prairies, Wayne Fagan, RVP Atlantic and Josée Brousseau, Human Rights Officer.

The guest speakers were PSAC National President Nycole Turmel, PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President for the Atlantic Jeannie Baldwin, St. John’s mayor Andy Wells and Reg Anstey, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour.