JOB WELL DONE, COMMISSIONER ROMANOW!
PSAC National President Nycole Turmel congratulates Commissioner Roy Romanow for his report released on November 28 on the Future of Health Care in Canada. Turmel especially commended his recommendations calling for fully accessible health care as a basic right of all Canadians and for the federal government to adequately finance this sector.
"Commissioner Romanow listened to Canadians from all walks of life, including PSAC members who voiced their concerns on health care during the union's Access Conference held earlier this year," Turmel said.
Like other members of the Canadian Health Coalition from the labour movement and other community-based organizations, PSAC members made a number of demands, including a universally accessible health care system and a restriction on the number of private health care services.
Turmel also expressed complete support for the adoption of a Canadian Health Covenant which would include our collective vision of the system. She called on politicians to endorse the report and to make the necessary changes to the Canadian health care system.
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The Government Services Union is looking to the future
The Government Services Union (GSU) held its first triennial convention on October 28-30, 2002, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This newcomer to the Public Service Alliance of Canada represents 6,000 members working for Public Works, Government Services and the Royal Mint.
The 75 attending delegates dealt with 75 resolutions and the budget in order to set the priorities of their component for the next three years.
Earlier in the convention, the delegates welcomed the representatives of their new members within Communications Canada, Local 70068. The Local acting president attended the convention as a delegate.
Delegates unanimously adopted the new GSU budget with no dues increase. Collective bargaining was the subject of an exciting debate following the presentation of guest speakers John Gordon, Randy Ford and Mike MacDonald.
The delegates struck a special committee to review the structure implemented three years ago and to make recommendations at the next GSU Convention. It was also decided that the committee would submit an interim report at the GSU Local presidents meeting in 2002.
This first GSU Triennial Convention also provided an opportunity to create a new position on the National Council, namely that of Equity Officer. Wilma Findlay was elected to carry out the first mandate.
Members of the GSU National Council include Mark Brunell, National President; Jean-Paul Fortin, Bill Dennis and Suzanne Lambert, National Vice-Presidents; Wilma Findlay, Equity Officer; Bob Graves and Elizabeth McCormick, Regional Vice-Presidents, Pacific region; Terry Sperling and Valerie Denesiuk, Regional Vice-Presidents, Western Region; Rob Spencer and Don Mahuda, Regional Vice-Presidents, Ontario Region; Bob Boileau, Dan Charron, Alex Sauvé and Nadine Lethbridge, Regional Vice-Presidents, National Capital Region; Pierre Laberge and Denis Poirier, Regional Vice-Presidents, Quebec Region; Randy Ford, Michael Lavery and Bill Walsh, Regional Vice-Presidents, Atlantic Region.
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Yukon Employees Union comes of age
 The Yukon Employees Union (YEU) passed resolutions that commit to supporting youth and education during its Fourth Triennial Convention on October 26 and 27, 2002.
One resolution has made YEU a gold partner with Skills Canada Yukon, an organization that offers youth an opportunity to explore and enter into skilled careers. The union has also increased the educational bursary fund, established in 1993 for members and their families, from four to eight $1,000 bursaries per year. Because of recent cuts in funding to post-secondary education, YEU has resolved to actively lobby Yukon and the federal government to increase Yukon College funding and to adequately fund post-secondary training in general.
About 51 delegates to the convention also passed two resolutions that will be forwarded to the PSAC's National Convention in the spring of 2003. One resolution seeks to have the REVP North elected regionally and the other to provide for a National Vice-President position elected by the PSAC Aboriginal Network.
The PSAC National President Nycole Turmel, as the special guest speaker, paid tribute to the YEU members' involvement in the territorial elections and commended the members who took on the responsibility of fighting for social and economic justice by running to represent their fellow Yukoners in the legislature. She pointed out how global issues affect northerners profoundly, given their economic dependence on the public sector.
Turmel reaffirmed the PSAC's commitment to building a strong union by announcing the participation of YEU's Klondike Visitors Association Local Y018 in a pilot Local Development project. She also acknowledged the union's emphasis on organizing and youth in the past few years. "In order to maintain and increase our strength as a union, both nationally and within the Yukon, we need to grow our membership numbers and constantly replace activists who retire," she said. "By building our union, we can change the world."
At convention, and in response to a member survey conducted this spring, the YEU outlined a communications plan and unveiled an updated logo, Web site and newsletter format that will work to address the needs expressed by members.
Dave Hobbis was acclaimed to continue in his position as National President. The new executive is composed of First Vice-President, Laurie Butterworth, Second Vice-President Kathy Donnelly, Secretary JoAnne Smith, Treasurer Naresh Prasad, and Directors Diane Anderson, Cynthia Fraser, Cam Kirkpatrick, Julie Docherty, Percy Andrews and Russ Carpenter.
Delegates were encouraged to always remember that YEU is YOU.
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A PSAC member who knows how to move safely on water
Last October, Gilles Turcotte, a member of PSAC Union of Solicitor General Employees (USGE) Local 10020 in Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, near Montreal, achieved top honours in competitions featuring the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary. Brother Turcotte represented Canada in international games on Michigan Lake in the United States. The purpose of these games is to promote the work, the efforts, the courage and the skills of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. These women and men are volunteers who help out recreational boaters in trouble on our waterways.
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Natural Resources Union Convention re-elects President
Members of the Natural Resources Union (NRU) added a duty for the Component President in their by-laws and re-elected Bernice Wilson to the position at their Eighth Triennial Convention in Ottawa last October.
The Component President now has a duty to attend at least one CLC convention during her or his term.
The convention, held from Oct. 19 to 21, 2002, opened with a few words of inspiration from Father Lindsay Harrison of The St. Patrick's Basilica in Ottawa and a welcoming address from city Councillor Alex Cullen. The 28 delegates and two observers also stood for a minute of silence in memory of all union members who passed away in the last three years, including victims of terrorism.
The resolutions that were debated during the convention centred on the by-laws, regulations, collective bargaining policy and other matters coming from the report of the Miscellaneous Committee.
Most of the approximately 30 resolutions were passed. These included a new regulation defining the roles and responsibilities of the Equal Opportunities Co-ordinator and Health and Safety Co-ordinator and a resolution not to allow any conference of any group within the PSAC to directly submit resolutions to PSAC conventions. The Miscellaneous Committee who recommended concurrence on the resolution believes that resolutions to the PSAC Convention should follow the Local-Component-PSAC route.
The delegates also approved a budget for the Component for the next three years, with no dues increase.
The PSAC National President Nycole Turmel gave a speech in the opening of the second day of the convention about the upcoming PSAC Convention and the challenges the union faces.
At the end of the conference, Component President Wilson presented awards and pins to seven members for long-standing service in the union.
Other newly-elected members of the National Executive are Ron Campbell as the First National Vice-President and Claudia Thompson as the Second National Vice-President. Geraldine Keohane was elected the Equal Opportunities Co-ordinator, and Dennis Ketchum was elected the Health and Safety Co-ordinator.
The NRU represents about 1,500 members located across Canada. These members are employees of Natural Resources Canada and the Canadian Space Agency. Members of this component are involved in mapping and charting, mining research, remote sensing, energy, geological surveying and earth physics as well as in space technology and research.
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Bargaining Update
Notice to bargain at the CFIA
On November 13, the Public Service Alliance of Canada served notice to bargain to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The current collective agreement will expire on Dec. 31, 2002.
The National Bargaining Conference was held from Nov. 13 to 15, 2002. Participants reviewed all bargaining proposals and began developing the program of demands. Members of the Strategy Coordination Committee were also elected. The bargaining team will likely meet with the employer early next year. Once the proposals have been formally submitted, they will be posted on the PSAC Web site. Meanwhile, we urge members to attend their Local meetings.
Negotiations to start at Hay River
PSAC members at the Hay River Community Health Board held bargaining committee meetings on Nov. 6 and 7, 2002. The union served notice to bargain on Aug. 22, 2002. The bargaining team will meet with the Employer on December 17th to exchange proposals and commence negotiations.
Calgary Airport members are ready to negotiate
The bargaining committee representing PSAC members at the Calgary Airport held meetings from Nov. 18 to 24, 2002. The union will file a notice to bargain shortly. The collective agreement expires on Dec. 31, 2002.
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The PSAC 2002 Scholarship Winners
Each 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 entering their first year of university, college or institute of higher learning. 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. The PSAC proudly presents the winners of this years scholarships:
Ian Petley, son of William Petley, member of the Agriculture Component, Local 60006, Fredericton, is enrolled in the Civil Engineering Program of the University of New Brunswick. He is the recipient of the Day of Mourning Scholarship. His essay was on "The Importance of Employers Making Workplaces Safer and Healthier."
Clayton Millar, son of Donald G. Millar, member of the Agriculture Component, Local 40222, Cadillac, Saskatchewan, is enrolled in the Agriculture program at Lakeland College in Vermilion, Alberta.
Joshua Mouland, son of Dean Mouland, member of UNDE, Local 90102, Gander, is studying computer science and business at Memorial University in St. John's, NL.
Christina Kirkey, daughter of Eugene Kirkey, member of UCTE, Local 00075, Timmins, is attending the University of Ottawa with a goal of achieving a master's degree in Journalism.
Fauna Kingdon, daughter of Allan Kingdon, member of UNW, Local 007, Iqaluit, is working towards a business/management degree at the University of Manitoba.
Amy Klassen, daughter of Judy Klassen, member of USGE, Local Y0118, Whitehorse, is studying at Taylor University College pursuing a degree in music.
Angelina Theilmann, daughter of Timothy Theilmann, deceased member of Environment Component, Local 20147, is working towards a Bachelor of Arts at McGill.
Kerrie Slimmon, daughter of Wes Slimmon, member of Environment Component, Local 30704, Calgary, is studying education at Mount Royal College.
Jessica Raymond, daughter of Linda Raymond, member of USGE, Local 40059, Prince Albert, is working towards a career in medicine at the University of Saskatchewan.
Paul Szymanski, son of Diana Szymanski, member of UCTE, Local 50510, Winnipeg, is working towards a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Winnipeg.
Rainier Palma, son of Josephine Palma, member of Agriculture Component, Local 77, Guelph, is studying engineering at University of Windsor.
Valérie Riendeau, daughter of Danielle Bigonesse, member of UNDE, Local 70654, Ottawa, is studying biology at the University of Laval.
Maria Campbell, daughter of Joan Campbell, member of UVAE, Local 90001, Charlottetown, is working towards an arts degree at St. Francis Xavier University.
Linda-Lee James, daughter of Vera James, member of CEIU, Local 60256, Miramichi is studying criminology.
Samantha Hill, daughter of Dan Hill, member of CEIU, Local 80206, Amherst, is working towards a Bachelor of Education at Mount Allison University.
Amy Hawkins, daughter of Barry Hawkins, member of UCTE, Local 90915, St. John's, is studying engineering at the Engineering Technology Centre part of the College of the North Atlantic.
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Recipient of the Joe Power Scholarship Award
The PSAC is pleased to announce Pamela Kelly as the 2002 recipient of the Joe Power Scholarship Award. Pamela is the daughter of Amelia Kelly, member of CEIU, Local 90115, Marystown, Newfoundland, and she will be studying science and education at Memorial University.
Each year the Joseph (Joe) R. Power 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, college or institute of higher learning, 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.
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