PSAC Union Update for the period October 29 - November 9, 2001
More than two decades of study and reform initiatives appear to have culminated in a consensus that the federal public sector human resources management system requires extensive reform. And, the consensus will quickly dissipate unless it is structured to meet the needs of all parties. This statement was contained in a speech delivered by PSAC National President Nycole Turmel to the Quail Task Force on October 11.
"A system designed exclusively to make management's job easier has the potential to undermine three core values - Respect, Equity and Fairness - and adversely affect all federal public sector workers. It is true as well that a system that does not properly reflect the aspirations of the largest workforce in Canada will fail to deliver the type and quality of services that Canadians expect and have a right to."
Turmel pointed out to the Task Force that from the perspective of PSAC members the front-line workers - this reform is long overdue. "Earlier this year, on the eve of the second report of the Fryer Committee, the PSAC's National Board of Directors adopted a list of the PSAC's Top 10 public sector reforms. We would like it to be considered as part of our submission to your Task Force," she added.
The PSAC's Top 10, considered essential to the well-being of the federal public sector, include:
Collective Bargaining Reform; Staffing; Recourse and Redress; Classification Reform; Employment Equity; Resolution of Harassment Complaints; Pension Reform; Whistleblowing; Joint Training; and, Labour Research.
The four themes identified by the Task Force include Labour Relations, Staffing, Recourses and Values. During her comments on the themes, Turmel continued to refer to the PSAC's Top 10.
"No reform, human resources or other, will be successful unless the federal government and all levels of public service management make a firm commitment to improving its relations with unions. It is a positive sign that after more than a decade of wage freezes and back-to-work legislation, the problem is now finally being named. However, the true test lies in the outcome of your committee's work, in other government-led reforms and at the bargaining table."
On a final note, Turmel reminded the Task Force that the process they are engaged in 'should not result in the erosion of existing, hard-won rights and protections that our members currently enjoy.
The PSAC's quest for pay equity for our members working for a number of separate employers is back on track. In August, the federal government's motion to dismiss the PSAC's case without a hearing was denied by a prothonotary in the Federal Court. The government then appealed the denial of their motion. At a hearing on October 23rd, Federal Court - Trial Division Justice Tremblay-Lamer dismissed the government's appeal.
The government has 30 days in which to appeal Justice Tremblay-Lamer's decision to the Federal Court of Appeal. In the meantime, the case will proceed and the government must now file a statement of defence by November 9th.
The case affects PSAC members employed by the Office of the Auditor General, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the Communications Security Establishment, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, Statistical Survey Operations and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (the former Medical Research Council).
The applications have been reviewed and the recipients for the 2001 PSAC Scholarships and Bursaries have been chosen by the PSAC Scholarship Awards Committee. Each year, the PSAC offers four $1,000 scholarships and thirteen $300 bursaries to sons and daughters of PSAC members in good standing, who are leaving high school and entering their first year of university, college or institute of higher learning. Applications are available from the PSAC Communications and Political Action Section, 233 Gilmour Street, Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0P1
Atul Dhir, son of Raj Dhir, a member of National Component Local 70404, Saskatoon. Atul is enrolled in the Dentistry Program at the University of Saskatchewan. He was the recipient of the Day of Mourning Scholarship. His essay was on "The Importance of Employers Making Workplaces Safer and Healthier".
Melanie Seaward, daughter of Maureen Seaward, a member of USGE Local 90051, Corner Brook. Melanie is working towards a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, Corner Brook.
Catherine Gagnon, daughter of Sylvie Plourde, a member of Government Services Union (GSU) Local 10060, Matane. Catherine is studying psychology at Université Laval in Québec City.
Sabrina O'Neil, daughter of Debra DeLeon, a member of UTE Local 80003, Halifax. Sabrina is attending Dalhousie University studying psychology.
Jonathan Gates, son of Linda Gates a member of UNDE Local 21007, Courtenay. He is attending the University of Winnipeg working towards a degree in Education.
Evelyn Budd, daughter of Robert Budd, a member of CEUDA Local 30036, Coutts, Alberta. Evelyn is working towards a degree in Education at the University of Lethbridge.
Sheena Young, daughter of Valerie Williams, a member of CEUDA Local 40031 in Saskatoon. Sheena is studying at the Alberta College of Art and Design.
Laura Murray, daughter of Garnet Murray, a member of Environment Component Local 50164, Winnipeg. Laura is working towards a Bachelor of Science at the University of Manitoba.
Tanya Aref, daughter of Susan Aref, a member of Environment Component Local 144, Burlington. Tanya is pursuing the medical field and is studying at Windsor University.
Mishka Lavigne, daughter of Denis Lavigne, a member of NRU Local 70081, Ottawa. Mishka is attending the Campus Gabrielle-Roy at Collège de l'Outaouais.
Shannon McNabb, daughter of Ann Marie McNabb, a member of National Component Local 80384, Sydney. Shannon is working towards a Bachelor of Arts at the University College of Cape Breton.
Marie-Josée Arseneault, daughter of Réjeanne Arseneault, a member of USGE Local 60148 in Tracadie-Sheila. She is studying Journalism at the University of Moncton.
Lindsay Mary Arsenault, daughter of Pauline Arsenault, a member of CEUDA Local 90060, Summerside. She is studying science/medicine at the University of New Brunswick.
Angela Champion, daughter of Terry Champion, a member of CEIU 90111, Grand Falls-Windsor. Angela is working towards a Bachelor of Science degree at the College of the North Atlantic.
Janet Wong, daughter of Christine Siu, a member of UNW Local 28, Yellowknife. Janet is working towards a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Alberta.
Graham Nishikawa, son of Joan Stanton, a member of YEU Local Y010. Graham is studying sports medicine at the University of Calgary.
The PSAC is pleased to announce that Jessica C. Cecchetto, daughter of Elizabeth Cecchetto, a member of PSAC Union of Taxation Employees Local 42, Sudbury, has been selected as the 2001 recipient of the Joe Power Scholarship Award. Jessica is attending Kings College at Western University working towards a degree in childhood and family studies.
Each year the J.R. (Joe) Power Scholarshp is offered in recognition of Brother Power's dedication and years of service to the membership. PSAC members, employees, spouses and children of members and employees, who are entering their first year of university, college or institute of higher learning, are eligible to apply.
Application forms are available from the PSAC Communications and Political Action Section, 233 Gilmour Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 0P1.
An attempt by the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) to stifle the rights of PSAC members to participate in the lawful activities of their union and bully them into avoiding such activities in future has failed. The Chairperson of the Public Service Staff Relations Board has ordered the CCRA to rescind and destroy the letters of reprimand given to 11 PSAC members who participated in a demonstration in Calgary last March at the home/office of one of CCRA's Board of Management members.
In the reasons for the decision, it was clear that the CCRA's case was completely without merit. It was also clear that CCRA, by imposing the reprimands, was trying to stop the demonstrators from exercising their rights under Section 6 of the Public Service Staff Relations Act. The employer was obviously trying to send a chilling message to other PSAC CCRA members in the hopes of avoiding any more embarrassing demonstrations. However, the decision is unequivocal in its statement that the demonstrators' right of expression to picket or leaflet is protected by the Charter unless the conduct of the participants is illegal or unlawful.
According to one of the demonstrators, CEUDA 2nd National Vice-President Ron Moran, the CCRA was given clear direction from the Staff Relations Board, during the hearing, that they should take the high road and just withdraw the letters of reprimand. Instead, CCRA insisted on a decision and now they have one - a decision that is a solid confirmation of our members' right to protest.
The PSAC/Union of Postal Communications Employees (UPCE) bargaining team met in caucus with Conciliation Officer Jacques Lessard on October 25-27 to explain the union's demands, to answer his questions and to provide full substantiation to back up our demands. The team felt it was important that Lessard had a complete understanding of the issues and of the UPCE team's concerns, particularly the priority items.
With the groundwork completed for the next set of meetings with the Conciliation officer, further dates have been tentatively set: November 7 to 10, November 12 to 16, November 26 to 30, and, December 10 to 14.
During the October meetings, UPCE Locals across the country sent faxes and letters of support to their bargaining team. As the team gears up for the next set of meetings, the union will be contacting the Local Mobilization Co-ordinators to continue or plan future mobilization activities.
Preference will be given to equity group members who self identify as racially visible, as per the PSAC internal employment equity plan,
Membership applications, giving PSAC membership number, will be received until 3:30 p.m. November 30, 2001.
For complete job postings, please visit the PSAC website.
Or contact PSAC Human Resources at (613) 560-4200
Or via email at careers@psac.com
Under the theme, Learning from the Experience of Others, six Peace Officers from various provincial and federal jurisdictions participated in a panel discussion on October 28, led by PSAC National President Nycole Turmel, on the issue of Canada's Park Wardens receiving the appropriate level of protection as any other Peace Officer in North America.
On the eve of the Parks Canada appeal hearing on the lack of necessary protective equipment for Canada's Park Wardens, 12 Park Wardens from across Canada, learned how other Peace Officers have fought for and received personal protective equipment on the job. "Twenty years ago we were in the same position," PSAC/Environment Component member Larry Paike told the group. "You have done all the right things. We had a long hard fight and you are currently going through the same thing. Keep on going and don't give up," the Fisheries Officer said.
This message was reiterated by the other panel members: Kerry Wrishko, president, North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers' Association; Michael Watts, Immigration Control Officer and PSAC/CEIU member; John King, Customs Officer and PSAC/CEUDA member; Art Redden, Provincial Conservation Officer; and, Shawn O'Reilly, vice-president, Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.
On October 29 and 30, as the Parks Canada appeal of the health and safety decision on the issue of appropriate protective equipment was being heard in Ottawa, the 12 Park Wardens lobbied various Members of Parliament seeking their support for the Canada Labour Code decision. During the hearings from October 29 to November 2, Parks Canada argued that the job of a Park Warden is not a dangerous one and that no further protective equipment is required.
The Canada Labour Code, Part II decision handed down February 1st, is the result of the investigation of a complaint filed by a Park Warden from Western Canada. The government appealed the decision. Instead of providing the Park Wardens with the appropriate equipment, the government's solution was to assign an already 'stretched to the limit' RCMP contingent to do enforcement duties.