Union Update

September 2007

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In this issue:

• Disability rights are human rights
• Demonstrators protest SPP talks in Montebello
• PSAC files bad faith bargaining charges against CBSA
• Federal Negotiaitons resumes this fall
• Clerical Investigator grievances move forward
• Agriculture Union produces chart for workplace Hazard Prevention Program chart
• Nunavut Employees Union Negotiations Making Progress
• New GSU Web Site

Disability rights are human rights

PSAC's sixth Access conference

Delegates from across the country gathered in Ottawa September 7-9 to attend the PSAC's sixth Access Conference. From the guest speakers and in the well-attended workshops, delegates were provided with insights and strategies to help them advance the disability rights agenda.

The overall theme of the conference “Transforming Our World: Moving Forward” was linked to the presentation of keynote speaker John Rae who spoke to the necessity of defending quality public services for persons with disabilities. Rae, a long-time disability rights activist, is a retired public sector worker and a veteran of the labour movement. The need to defend quality public services was also stressed by National President John Gordon, who spoke at the conference and reminded delgates that “disability rights are human rights and must be included in our struggle to build a better Canada and a better world.”

Panel speakers Jim Derksen and Florence Pardo shared their insights with members on effective lobbying strategies. A noted disability rights activist, Derksen was instrumental in the establishment of provincial and federal human rights legislation. Pardo is an advocate for disability rights associated with the Confederation des organismes de personnes handicapees du Quebec (COPHAN) (Confederation of Organizations of the Handicapped in Quebec).

The 110 delegates to the conference passed a number of key resolutions aimed at marshalling PSAC lobbying efforts to push for needed federal policy and legislative changes identified by PSAC members with disabilities.

Delegates also elected new representatives to the Equal Opportunities Committee. The two new representatives are Keith Gilliard from Edmonton, Alberta who is a member of UTE Local 30025 and Joanna Castonguay of Gatineau, Quebec, who is a member of UPCE Local 70180. The alternates elected are: Craig Langston, Burnaby, B.C. (UTE Local 20027); Jean-Louis Deveau, Fredericton, N.B. (AGR Local 60006); Shirley Ryan, Paradise, NFLD. (UNDE Local 90101); and, Billie-Joe Stuart, Camden East, Ontario (USGE Local 00101).

Demonstrators protest SPP talks in Montebello

Demonstrators, union members and activists from Canada, the United States and Mexico converged on the Chateau Montebello resort in Quebec on August 20 to protest high level talks aimed at harmonizing trade, regulatory and security policies between Canada, Mexico and the United States under the so-called Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP).

Despite attempts at a peaceful protest, activists faced a large security cordon of riot police, and paratroopers were visible beyond the security cordon. The heavy police presence was also in evidence away from the protest site as police and security operatives were observed photographing demonstrators on the way to Montebello as they boarded buses in front of the PSAC headquarters in Ottawa.

While the leaders inside were expected to meet in secret with members of the North American Competitiveness Council – a hand-picked collection of 30 top business executives from the three countries – protesters outside left a petition with more than 10,000 signatures at the security cordon. The petition calls for an end to the SPP and the move to harmonize regulations between Canada, the United States and Mexico.

Despite the significant implications of the contemplated harmonizing measures for citizens all across North America, stakeholders from labour, human rights, the scientific community, security experts, environmentalists and even law makers from the three countries have been shut out of the process.

Writing on behalf of PSAC members, National President John Gordon addressed a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper strenuously protesting any attempts to degrade public safety in the name of deregulation, or any moves to further integrate Canada into draconian U.S. security protocols.

PSAC files bad faith bargaining charges against CBSA

PSAC has filed an unfair labour practice complaint against the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) alleging that management communicated improperly with its employees regarding the arming initiative and its potential impact on PSAC membership.

Our Frontières\Border bargaining team had indicated to Treasury Board that the arming initiative is a subject of negotiations for this round of bargaining and asked for a full and thorough explanation regarding CBSA's plans for the implementation of the arming initiative. At the end of the June bargaining session the employer had not provided much of the information requested.

This summer, CBSA posted information on the Agency Intranet about the consequences employees can expect if they fail or refuse the new testing related to the arming initiative. The status of employees who fail, are unable to participate, or do not want to participate in the testing or to carry a weapon is a subject of bargaining in this round of negotiations. PSAC has reached no agreement with Treasury Board on these issues. In fact, the union has yet to receive the information needed so that the parties can begin negotiations over these issues.

Under the law the CBSA is obligated to bargain with us over changes in the terms and conditions of employment of PSAC members at the agency. Our FB negotiating team returns to the table this fall. Our team will be tabling language that ensures full and complete job security for all PSAC members working at CBSA.

Federal Negotiaitons resumes this fall

Treasury Board:
PA and SV negotiating teams are back at the table from October 2 to 5.  TC, EB and FB negotiations resume October 9 to 12.

Canada Revenue Agency:
Bargaining is scheduled from September 17 to 28 and again from October 22 to 26.

Parks Canada:
Your negotiating team returns to bargaining the week of October 22.

Clerical Investigator grievances move forward

Clerical Investigators (CI's) at Service Canada challenged their work descriptions with over 300 grievances as a first step toward a review of their classification. The grievance action is being steered by a committee of three CI's and a CEIU National Representative. These investigators determine Canadians' entitlement to employment insurance benefits in specific situations on behalf of Service Canada.

Frustration at their classification level has been growing for CI's over since 2002. The work description grievances were launched by investigators from every region in Canada and the union struck a committee of CI's to develop a more accurate and complete work description. The committee, composed of CI's Donna MacDonald, Linda Eade and Jan Yankowski, and assisted by Kathy Leger, CEIU National Representative in Moncton, New Brunswick, recently completed a revision of the work description. Input from CI's across the country was reviewed as were a number of comparable work descriptions.

“We worked very well together” according to committee member Donna MacDonald, “and we really appreciated the input and support we got from CI's from the various regions.”

The grievances will be presented at the final level of the grievance procedure when the committee completes a final verification of the work description.

Agriculture Union produces chart for workplace Hazard Prevention Program chart

PSAC's Agriculture Union has produced a practical, one-page reference chart designed for use by Local safety representatives or committee members.  It's a first for the PSAC and its Components.

The chart is a handy and practical guide that illustrates the essential components of a hazard prevention program and how they are connected, as well as explaining the basic roles involved in maintaining safe and healthy workplaces.  As a checklist, it covers everything that employers, along Local union health and safety representatives, need to establish and monitor.

Newly updated this summer, it is available for viewing and downloading on the Agriculture Union's web site at: http://www.agrunion.com/en/newsletter.html

Nunavut Employees Union Negotiations Making Progress

The NEU/PSAC negotiating team is finally making headway in bargaining with the government of Nunavut. The 1,800 workers represented by the PSAC have been without a contract since September 2006; negotiations on the new contract began in December 2006. Initially the negotiations progressed very slowly because the Employer twice changed its lead negotiators.

While the employer has not yet presented its monetary offer, the PSAC negotiating team has been able to secure agreement on other parts of the collective agreement.

Here are the highlights of the third round of negotiations:

• The Employer withdrew its proposal for 10 days of Mandatory Leave without pay;
• Both parties agreed to language on probation which will apply to new hires and in the case of subsequent promotions but will not apply to lateral transfers;
• Nunavut Day was added to the list of designated paid holidays;
• PSAC members will have access to special leaves for firefighting and Search & Rescue operations and training;
• A new article was developed to allow payments of travel claims and travel advances to be deposited directly in the employees' bank accounts;
• The definition of immediate family was expanded in the article on special leaves;
• The language on call back pay while on stand-by has been clarified;
• The language on acting pay in excluded or senior management positions has been clarified; and

The next round of negotiations is scheduled for October 1-5.

New GSU Web Site

The members of the Government Services Union Communications Committee- Daniel Charron, Bill Dennis, Bob Boileau, Ray Zwicker, Bob Cameron, and Sylvie Harrisson- have proudly launched the new GSU website. What's unique about this web site is that each GSU Local can build its own web page with information of interest to its members.
http://www.gsu-ssg.ca/e/index.cfm