News: PSAC members ratify new agreements with Statistical Survey Operations

OTTAWA - Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) members employed as interviewers with Statistical Survey Operations (SSO) have ratified their new three-year tentative agreements. The interviewers are in two bargaining units with one group working out of SSO’s regional offices, the others working in the field, conducting interviews in respondents’ homes and workplaces.

"Bargaining for the interviewers presents different challenges, particularly for the Field Interviewers group who do not work in a regular office setting," says PSAC National Executive Vice-President John Gordon.

For the Field Interviewers, there is a new "downtime" article. If the employer’s computer equipment or network fails and employees lose work, they will now be paid for the number of cases that are reassigned to someone else.

"Personal safety is also a consideration for the interviewers working out of their homes," says Gordon. "SSO has now agreed to provide Field Interviewers with a personal voice mail-box with a private password, accessible by a 1-800 number. This system will ensure that any communication with clients can’t be traced to an employee’s residence."

"New language has been negotiated in the Regional Office Interviewers’ agreement that gives them concrete rights and safeguards in the event of lay-off," according to Heather Brooker, National President of PSAC’ National Component. "Another new clause will protect employees’ unused sick leave in the event that they are laid-off and re-appointed within one year of the layoff."

Field Interviewers receive pay in lieu of benefits and that percentage has been raised from 3.5% to 4.0% of all straight-time hours worked. This payment will continue, even if an employee’s average work week drops below 12.5 hours.

The new agreements include wage increases for both units of 2.25% retroactive to December 1, 2004; 2.4% retroactive to December 1, 2005 and 2.5% effective December 1, 2006. Both agreements expire on November 30, 2007.

The Field Interviewers ratified their agreement by 90% and the Regional Office Interviewers ratified theirs by 75%.

The approximately 1,000 interviewers collect data for Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index and monthly Labour Force Survey, among many others.

Patty Ducharme's Schedule - 2005

updated: May 25th

Click for Patty's 2004 schedule.

Click for Patty's 2003 schedule.

December 1st is World AIDS Day

Today is World AIDS Day 2005, a day when people all across the globe pause for a moment and remember loved ones lost to this pandemic. We also renew our committments to fight this terrible disease, and redouble our efforts to prevent new HIV infections.

Regional Rep. Regina Brennan sewed a quilt for the NAMES project  in honour of Pierre Gleeson, a UPCE member and activist who died 10 years ago.

Read more and see some pictures here.

The PSAC encourages its members and their families to wear the red ribbon on December 1, to help end the silence and lift the veil of ignorance by reading, discussing and learning more about HIV/AIDS, and to take action by putting pressure on our government to do its part.

Read the PSAC statement on AIDS day at the national website.

Boycott McDonalds restaurants tomorrow!

A 10-year-old boy from New Westminster, BC has started a campaign to get Canadians to boycott McDonald's restaurants on Dec. 3 to protest the United States' refusal to obey a trade panel ruling on softwood lumber.

• Yo Yo Yo, give us our dough - No Mc-D on December 3 softwood lumber protest website
• NUPGE announces support for the softwood lumber protest campaign
• Background on the softwood lumber dispute (CBC online feature)

The US imposed 27 per cent duties on Canadian softwood lumber in May 2002, at the behest of its own industries which claimed that the Canadian industry had unfair advantages. Those duties have cost BC about 15,000 jobs and billions in revenue.

A NAFTA dispute panel ruled in Canada's favour in 2003 and US appeals were rejected in August 2005. But the US refuses to pay the $5 billion in illegal tarifs.

Luke McAndless-Davis started the campaign with a bit of help from his friends and parents. McAndless-Davis says on his website, "Canada and the United States are friends and we want to stay friends. But friends don't steal from friends and friends don't bully friends."

VDLC food drive

The Vancouver and District Labour Council has kicked off our Christmas Food Bank Drive.

Please bring non-perishable food items and cash donations to the VDLC office at the Maritime Labour Centre, 111 Victoria Drive, or 1880 Triumph Street (either entrance - multiple drop boxes)

Drop boxes are here to be filled!  The Greater Vancouver Food Bank helps to feed 25,000 men, women and children every week. They receive no government funding and rely on the generosity of the public.  For every $1.00 donated they are able to buy $3.00 worth of food.

Food items most needed are: canned fish, meat, beans & soup; pasta and sauce; macaroni and cheese; meals in can (ie.ravioli, stews); and peanut butter.

Thank you for your generosity.

Canada Revenue Agency discouraging walk-in business

posted December 12th OTTAWA - The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) says it has a plan to improve its client service to Canadians. The problem is they think they can do it by reducing the number of staff who actually provide the service. Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) National President Nycole Turmel says that up to now the Revenue Agency has been trying to reduce the availability of service. “Our members have been working hard at raising public awareness about CRA’s plans announced earlier this year to close its cash counters and to eliminate walk-in service at its client service counters. Canadians responded and CRA has decided to keep the cash counters open.” Read more at the national website .

BC Human Rights Ctte coat drive

December 12th Not using your extra winter coats? PSAC BC Human Rights Committee Coat Drive for the Homeless … If you have an extra winter coat you’re not using, would you consider donating it? Please drop it off at our Human Rights Event on Dec. 15th at the Maritime Labour Centre. Visit the upcoming events page for more details or download the poster below. hrc_homeless_poster.pdf

Vacancy: Alternate REVP BC

TO: PSAC National Officers and Local Presidents in the BC Region (Please post and distribute within your membership)

FROM: Nycole Turmel

RE:  Vacancy:  Alternate REVP BC

Brother Bob Kingston, Alternate REVP BC has tendered his resignation from the position of Alternate Regional Vice-President B.C. as he was elected full-time Vice-President of the Agriculture Union at their Convention in August 2005. 

The following election procedures will be followed:

• Nominations shall be called by the Alliance Executive Committee from amongst the membership within the BC Region who are in good standing.
• Nominations will be sent to the office of the National President of the PSAC no later than January 3, 2006 (nomination form below ).
• The AEC shall determine that nominees are members in good standing, and prepared to stand for office, and are prepared to reside in the Vancouver area if called to take the position of REVP.
• While all BC members in good standing can run for the position of Alternate REVP BC, only members who were delegates to the 2005 BC Regional Convention who remain in good standing can sign a nomination form.
• Should an election be required, the AEC shall issue a ballot by mail to all BC Convention delegates to the 2005 BC Regional Convention who are still members in good standing.
• A ballot will be sent to you in January 2006.
• All ballots postmarked no later than February 10, 2006 will be counted.
• Should a subsequent ballot be required, it will be issued by mail in February 2006.
• Nominees for the position of Alternate REVP BC shall be provided with a list of eligible voting delegates.  Labels will be provided upon request.
• Regulation 21 of the PSAC Constitution shall apply. Nominees will have a spending limit of $3,000, and will be required to provide an expense report to the National President of the PSAC.
• Nominations shall be entitled to submit a one-page biography for inclusion in the voting kit.  Please note that candidates’ biographies will be reproduced exactly as received.  The PSAC will not correct, edit or translate biographies.

In Solidarity, Nycole Turmel, National President

En outre disponible en français

VACANCY_alternate_REVP_BC_-_November_2005.pdf

Wondering who to vote for?

Do you really know where the parties stand? How well do you know your party?

A quiz sponsored by the CBC presents you with each party's responses to various questions, but with their identities removed. Try choosing the responses that best reflect your own viewpoints without knowing who said what. You might surprise yourself.

Read more at votebyissue.org

News: PSAC members ratify new agreements with Statistical Survey Operations

OTTAWA - Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) members employed as interviewers with Statistical Survey Operations (SSO) have ratified their new three-year tentative agreements. The interviewers are in two bargaining units with one group working out of SSO’s regional offices, the others working in the field, conducting interviews in respondents’ homes and workplaces.

Read more here.

Upcoming Youth activities

Greetings! The PSAC-B.C. Youth Caucus participates in the larger labour community through activities of the B.C. Federation of Labour Young Workers’ Committee. It is a great way for us to connect with other young workers that are involved in their union and / or community group.

Currently there are a few upcoming activities that you may wish to support, read about them on the Youth Caucus page.

Scholarships: 2006 CLC Winter School at Harrison Hot Springs

December 19th The BC Federation of Labour has some scholarships available to the 2006 Winter School: Donna Sheaves Memorial Scholarship: Available to women wishing to attend the "Women in Leadership" course in January.  Scholarship covers cost of tuition, accommodation (shared), and meals.  Application deadline, January 4. Instructor Training Course Scholarship: 16 spaces available - open to whomever would like to apply.  Scholarship covers cost of accommodation (shared), meals, and registration fee.   Please contact the BC Fed (604-430-1421) and the CLC (604-430-6766) for more information.

Possible Strike at YVR

District Lodge 140 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM&AW), which represents the workers who clean planes and handle baggage at the airport, have served the Vancouver Airport Authority with 72 hour strike notice.

The two parties are meeting a federal conciliator today and they are really trying to focus on continuing with the negotiations and they are optimistic that they will have a deal before Christmas Day.

What should you as a PSAC member do if you encounter a picket line on your way to work?

As per the PSAC picket line policy, “It is a union right an obligation of every member of the PSAC to respect the picket line established by a union of workers, and to not cross such a picket line unless permitted to do so by the union concerned.”

If you encounter a picket line on your way to work, approach the picket line, ask for the picket captain and identify yourself as a PSAC member.  Inform the picket captain that your are obligated to report to your regular place of work but would like to do so with respect and solidarity to the picket line.  If you feel intimidated, or if you have any concern for your safety, you can always step away from the picket line and call your supervisor to advise him/her of the situation.  Your manager must provide you with safe passage to your place of work.