2009 PSAC NATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY CONFERENCE
“WORKPLACE ALLIANCES FOR HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS”
- REGULATE – AGITATE – ENFORCE -
To: PSAC Locals
REGISTRATION deadline |
Friday, August 21, 2009 |
RESOLUTIONS submission deadline: |
Friday, September 18, 2009 |
Conference dates: |
November 20 to 22, 2009 |
Conference location: |
Sheraton Hotel, |
INTERPRETATION WILL BE PROVIDED IN THREE LANGUAGES (English, French, Inuktitut)
This Registration Package includes the following:
- Introduction/Callout Letter
- Application Form
- Call for Resolutions
We are pleased to be sending you this Registration package for the 2009 PSAC National Health and Safety Conference, which will be held November 20 to 22, 2009 at the Sheraton Hotel in Montreal, Quebec under the theme “WORKPLACE ALLIANCES FOR HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS: REGULATE – AGITATE – ENFORCE ”
We encourage you to personally inform the members of both Policy Health and Safety Committees and Local Workplace Health and Safety Committees, appointed Health and Safety Representatives, and/or Health and Safety activists in your Local to ensure they are made aware of this conference. Bulletin boards may not always be accessible and additional outreach is very important.
This registration package is available on request in Braille and/or on CD (MS Word) through the PSAC Programs Section by contacting us at 613-560-5457.
CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the 2009 PSAC National Health and Safety Conference are to:
- Examine the current state of enforcement of health and safety legislation in order to develop union-based strategies that will better protect workers.
- Strengthen the ability, knowledge and effectiveness of all PSAC activists on union and joint health and safety committees to better mobilize members around workplace issues.
- Increase the involvement of health, safety and environmental activists in the “Think Public” campaign and to join with coalitions working to defend and advance our rights.
- Better identify harassment and discuss what makes harassment a health and safety issue and propose specific preventive measures and responses that unions can take to prevent and deal with harassment at work.
- Make the connections between “The Environment” and health and safety, and propose actions that Locals and health and safety activists can do about “The Environment” in their workplaces and communities.
PARTICIPANTS
- Delegates
PSAC members in good standing may apply to be a delegate to this Conference. Priority will be given to those union activists who are members of Policy Health and Safety Committees or Local Workplace Health and Safety Committees, or are appointed as Health and Safety Representatives for their workplaces, or their locals/branches. The selection of delegates will take into account union and health and safety activism, as well as representation (Region, Component, language, gender, youth and other equity group representation).
Delegates will be selected by their respective Regions and Components. The delegates will be entitled to full voice and vote during the conference, including the resolutions and elections processes.
Funding for Delegates:
Delegate costs to the 2009 PSAC National Health and Safety Conference will be fully covered as per AEC decision and the PSAC Travel Directive. Costs covered are as follows:
- travel costs, including ground transportation;
- hotel accommodation costs at the Sheraton Hotel in Montreal;
- loss of salary;
- per diem for meals;
- incidental costs;
- child care as per the Family Care Policy;
- costs related to accessibility requirements.
- Observers
PSAC members in good standing may also attend the 2009 PSAC National Health and Safety Conference as observers; however, observers will be responsible for all costs associated with their participation, including:
- loss of salary and meals;
- hotel and travel arrangements and costs;
- the conference registration fee of $150.00;
- any additional accessibility needs and childcare arrangements (subject to meeting deadline requirements).
Please note that the number of Observers will be limited to the space available at the Conference. They will have voice only during the discussion period after panel presentations. They may attend workshops, if space permits, but we many not be able to accommodate their 1st option. Observers do not have the right to voice or vote during the resolutions debate and elections processes.
- Guests
Members of the PSAC National Board of Directors are eligible to attend the Conference as guests.
SELECTION OF DELEGATES AND OBSERVERS
If you are selected as a delegate or an observer to this conference, you will be advised by email and/or telephone during the last three weeks of September 2009.
For further information or assistance:
- Call 613-560-5457. Leave a message and someone will get back to you within 24 working hours.
- You may also contact Jeff Bennie, the PSAC Health and Safety Program Officer by email at benniej@psac-afpc.com or Michelle Rossignol, Administrative Assistant by email at conferences@psac-afpc.com
- The fax number is 613-236-9402
We look forward to the upcoming 2009 PSAC National Health and Safety Conference and see it as an opportunity for our members to continue the important work of maintaining and improving the militancy and activism of the Union in the struggle to improve the health and safety and working conditions of all PSAC members.
Please consult the PSAC website (www.psac-afpc.com) periodically as background conference material will be posted as soon as it becomes available.
Thank you for your cooperation and support.
In Solidarity,
Kay Sinclair REVP - B.C.
Gerry Halabecki REVP - Ontario
2009 PSAC National Health and Safety Conference Co-Chairs
cc: National Board of Directors
Component National Officers and Head Offices
Regional Offices
Area Councils
Equal Opportunities Committee (EOC)
National Aboriginal Peoples' Circle (NAPC)
Regional Committees
Regional Council Members
PSAC Management Team
APPLICATION FORM
REGISTRATION DEADLINE |
Friday, August 21, 2009 |
RESOLUTIONS SUBMISSION DEADLINE : |
Friday, September 18, 2009 |
CONFERENCE DATES: |
November 20 to 22, 2009 |
CONFERENCE LOCATION: |
Sheraton Hotel, |
If you are mailing your application, ensure that it is sent well in advance of the deadline. Two to three weeks is strongly recommended.
If you have any questions with respect to the application form or the Conference, call 613-560-5457. Please leave a message and someone will respond to your inquiry within 24 working hours.
You may also contact Michelle Rossignol, Administrative Assistant, Programs Section by email at conferences@psac-afpc.com
The fax number is 613-236-9402
CALL FOR RESOLUTIONS
Preparations for the 2009 PSAC National Health and Safety Conference to be held in Montreal from November 20 to 22, 2009 are well underway.
CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of the 2009 National Health and Safety Conference are:
-
Examine the current state of enforcement of health and safety legislation in order to develop union-based strategies that will better protect workers.
-
Strengthen the ability, knowledge and effectiveness of all PSAC activists on union and joint health and safety committees to better mobilize members around workplace issues.
-
Increase the involvement of health, safety and environmental activists in the “Think Public” campaign and to join with coalitions working to defend and advance our rights.
-
Better identify harassment and discuss what makes harassment a health and safety issue and propose specific preventive measures and responses that unions can take to prevent and deal with harassment at work.
-
Make the connections between “The Environment” and health and safety, and propose actions that Locals and health and safety activists can do about “The Environment” in their workplaces and communities.
The resolutions should be aimed at strengthening and improving the Union's work on health and safety issues and at advancing our objectives.
Resolutions will be discussed, debated and voted on at the Conference and then subsequently submitted to the appropriate bodies including the next PSAC Triennial Convention in 2012.
-
The traditional resolutions process will be utilized for the 2009 PSAC National Health and Safety Conference (i.e. resolutions committee, debate at the Conference).
-
All PSAC constitutionally recognized bodies and union structures will be entitled to forward resolutions to the 2009 PSAC National Health and Safety Conference.
-
Only five (5) resolutions per body/structure will be accepted.
-
Please limit your resolution to a maximum of 150 words.
Should you have any questions regarding the resolutions process, please contact Jeff Bennie, the PSAC Health and Safety Program Officer by email at benniej@psac.com.
In Solidarity,
Kay Sinclair REVP - B.C.
Gerry Halabecki REVP - Ontario
2009 PSAC National Health and Safety Conference Co-Chairs
In a Resolution that was adopted by the NBoD in June 2006, resolutions that are being submitted for the PSAC Triennial Convention will be accepted in either the traditional format or in a clear language format. Therefore either of the following resolution formats may be used in order to submit resolutions for the 2009 PSAC National Health and Safety Conference
The following is a sample resolution reproduced in both the Traditional format and the Clear Language format:
TRADITIONAL FORMAT
TITLE: SCENT FREE POLICY
ORIGINATOR: UVAE – LOCAL 0043
LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN: E
WHEREAS employees should have the right to work in a scent free/chemical free environment and should not have to become sick at work because some of the products used by other employees are too strong and are making them ill: and
WHEREAS many employees experience severe reactions to various scented products including perfume and aftershave; and
WHEREAS not having clean air to breathe in their working environment is a Health and Safety issue; and
WHEREAS with a scent free working environment, all employees could breathe easier;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Federal Government of Canada establish a scent free policy for all Government Offices.
CLEAR LANGUAGE FORMAT
TITLE: SCENT FREE POLICY
ORIGINATOR: UVAE – LOCAL 0043
LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN: E
THE PROBLEM OR ISSUE:
Employees should have the right to work in a scent free/chemical free environment and should not have to become sick at work because some of the products used by other employees are too strong and are making them ill.
Many employee experience severe reactions to various scented products including perfume and aftershave.
Not having clean air to breathe in the work environment is a Health and Safety issue and with a scent free work environment, all employees could breath easier.
THE ACTION REQUESTED:
That the Federal Government of Canada establish a scent free policy for all Government Offices.
Date Modified : 2010/07/29
