Welcome to our new webspace!

January 27th

We've been working hard to make the new website as user-friendly, accessible and informative as possible. Please click around the site and see what's available, or use the search form at the top of the pages. There is also a print this page link: it will remove the formatting for quick and easy printing.

If you like, use the feedback form to let us know what you think.

To kick the site off, the 2004 education schedule is available on the Education Page, and congratulations to Nykiya Graham, who designed the new logo for the Youth Caucus ... read more on the Youth Page.

Older pages are available at the old website (opens in new window): we will no longer be updating there, though.

Our most valuable assets are our human assets

January 27th

"... We are moving further and further into a world where profits come before people. The sad thing is, I don't think that's what average Canadians really want. I think Canadians take pride in our public systems that put humanity first. If we want to translate that into corporate-speak, our most valuable assets are our human assets. If people are hungry, needy, cold and poor, how vibrant will communities be? ... "

Read the rest of Patty Ducharme's letter to the Editor of the Vancouver Sun at Canada.com.

Access Conference - Call for Committe Members

January 26

This email is being sent to all Locals, National Officers, Regional Council and the 2 PSAC ROs.
******************************************************************
Please pass this information on to any members with disabilities in your locals.
Dear Sisters and Brothers:

As per the AEC decision with respect to the Steering and Resolutions Committees for the upcoming National Access Conference, which is being held in September 2004 in Montreal, this memorandum serves as the call for proposed names to sit on both the Steering Committee and Resolutions Committee for this Conference.

If you:
1. identify as members with disabilities
2. have a history of Union or community activism on disability rights issues
3. have the training and/or experience and/or ability to sit on both the Steering Committee and the Resolutions Committee;
4. are interested in participating on either committee

then please advise this office by Tuesday, January 27, 2004.  Please email my Assistant Christine Beynon at: beynonc@psac.com or fax the information to: 604-430-0194 by the above date.  I apologize for the tight time frame - we just received the notice ourselves.  Please address the items raised in 2 and 3 above and let us know why you are interested in participating on this committee.

If you have any questions please feel free to call my office at 604-430-0191 or toll-free at 1-866-811-7700.

In solidarity
Patty Ducharme
Regional Executive VP-BC

Aboriginal, Inuit and Metis Network - Think Tank

January 26th

This email is being sent to all BC locals, National Officers, Regional Council and Vancouver and Victoria ROs.
*******************************************************************
PLEASE PASS THE ATTACHED INFORMATION ON TO ANY ABORIGINAL MEMBERS.

At the 2003 National PSAC Convention delegates adopted a resolution that called for the set-up of an Aboriginal, Inuit and Metis network for PSAC members.  Attached is some information for you on the above subject.

If you are interested in being considered for the Think-tank or want to nominate another Aboriginal member, please complete the enclosed form and return it to the REVP office as soon as possible and no later than February 10, 2004.

If you have any ideas or suggestions please feel free to share them with the REVP either by mail or email at ducharp@psac.com.
302 - 5238 Joyce Street
Vancouver, BC
V5R 6C9

Christine for Patty Ducharme

One Day Longer Rally

January 26th

Patty Ducharme, along with members and some Vancouver RO staff attended the One Day Longer Rally on Friday, in support of Steelworkers who have been on strike at Modern Auto Plating since January 24, 2002. Here are some photos.

Labour Radio Needs You!!

January 20th

Q. Isn’t it time that Labour had it’s own voice in the electronic media?

A. Now we do ...

Labour Radio, on CJSF FM 90.1, will begin to air Sunday February 1st.  The first show will feature Jack Layton speeches to the NDP and BC Federation of Labour Conventions.

February 8th show will feature an interview with Peter Julian who is seeking the nomination for Burnaby New Westminster NDP Federal Riding.

Click the link below for more details (.pdf)

CJSF_Labour_Radio.pdf

No Compassionate Leave for Workers in BC?

January 20th

Did you know that BC is only one of four provinces that does not provide for compassionate care in Canada?  Read the letter from Ken Georgetti to Gordon Campbell (pdf, below), and contact your MLA here to let them know you agree!

compassionate_leave_clc.pdf

Happy New Year from Paul Martin!

Jan 12th

OTTAWA -- One of Paul Martin's first acts as Prime Minister was to quietly boost the pay of his new cabinet ministers' senior political staff by more than $32,000 a year. His next act was to freeze pay boosts for other public servants. The increase in salary means that chiefs of staff for his 29 full cabinet ministers will earn as much as $147,300 a year, $12,100 more than elected members of Parliament make.

Click the link below for more (.pdf).

news_cabinet_pay_raise.pdf

Happy New Year, Everyone!

January 7th

Did you know that a coalition of unions in the lower mainland serve a Christmas dinner to the less fortunate every year?

On December 24th, 2003, I had a truly memorable Christmas experience. I was privileged to be part of the union Christmas Dinner at the Maritime Labour Centre.

My husband and I had the privilege of serving and assisting at the dinner. Twelve hundred guests attended, a good number of them children. Guests were provided transportation courtesy of TransLink, whose drivers donated their time.

Santa was in attendance with presents for all the little guests. There were presents for the adults as well. There was also plenty of warm clothing for those who needed them.

A not-ready-for-primetime band of union brothers provided the music, with everyone joining in in the singing for good measure.

There was good will and good cheer all around. It is truly one way of giving back something to the community we live in. I am already looking forward to the next one.

Dellie Lidyard, A Public Service Employee. 

Dellie, RVP for USGE, served Christmas dinner along with Patty Ducharme, REVP for BC,  and Jim Sinclair, President of the BCFed.

Access Conference - Call for Committe Members

January 26

This email is being sent to all Locals, National Officers, Regional Council and the 2 PSAC ROs.
******************************************************************
Please pass this information on to any members with disabilities in your locals.
Dear Sisters and Brothers:

As per the AEC decision with respect to the Steering and Resolutions Committees for the upcoming National Access Conference, which is being held in September 2004 in Montreal, this memorandum serves as the call for proposed names to sit on both the Steering Committee and Resolutions Committee for this Conference.

If you:
1. identify as members with disabilities
2. have a history of Union or community activism on disability rights issues
3. have the training and/or experience and/or ability to sit on both the Steering Committee and the Resolutions Committee;
4. are interested in participating on either committee

then please advise this office by Tuesday, January 27, 2004.  Please email my Assistant Christine Beynon at: beynonc@psac.com or fax the information to: 604-430-0194 by the above date.  I apologize for the tight time frame - we just received the notice ourselves.  Please address the items raised in 2 and 3 above and let us know why you are interested in participating on this committee.

If you have any questions please feel free to call my office at 604-430-0191 or toll-free at 1-866-811-7700.

In solidarity
Patty Ducharme
Regional Executive VP-BC