VDLC Boot, Jacket and Blanket Drive

Saturday, November 6, 2004, 10:00 - 2:00, Aboriginal Friendship Centre, 1607 East Hastings

Warm, rain resistant/proof shoes/boots, jackets, and blankets are needed urgently! Please donate and drop any of these items off at the above address. More information: Vancouver & District Labour Council - 604-254-0703.

Job Posting - CCPA

JOB POSTING: Researcher, CCPA-BC Public Interest Research Desk Posted November 17, 2004. Please post and circulate.

Closing date: Thursday December 16, 2004, 4:00 PM
Position start date: February 2004
Duration: This is a permanent staff position (0.8 or full-time, TBD)
Salary Range: $45,820 - $61,094 FTE (5-year grid, with starting placement on grid TBD), plus benefits

Position Summary:

The Public Interest Research Desk (PIRD) researcher undertakes a variety of short and long-term research projects related to the role and value of public services, social programs, public enterprise, the relationship between the public and private sectors, and privatization. Duties consist of a combination of research and writing, policy analysis, and media/public speaking work.

Skills and Qualifications Required:

The position requires a strong background in both economic and social policy, and demonstrated research experience dealing with public services. The successful candidate must have a strong graduate-level academic background in a relevant field of study.

Other skills include:

* Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking experience, popular/accessible writing skills, and academic writing skills (experience giving media interviews is an asset);
* A background in quantitative methods and statistics;
* Strong computer skills, including experience with statistical and
spreadsheet software;
* A demonstrated ability to work effectively, both independently and as part of a team, in an environment that is frequently pressured.

Experience working with a progressive non-profit organization is an asset. Comfort working in a small office environment without extensive administrative supports is required. The successful candidate should share a commitment to the CCPA's Statement of Purpose. We are looking for a dedicated individual eager to contribute to the CCPA's ongoing success as a public policy research institute.

Job Duties and Responsibilities include:

*  Researching and writing policy briefs, research papers, and studies;
*  Writing articles and opinion pieces for newspapers, the CCPA Monitor, and other publications;
*  Monitoring and analyzing provincial public policy with respect to public services, social programs, and public enterprise;
*  Developing research proposals and writing grants;
* Providing information and comment to media (including frequent media interviews).

The CCPA is committed to employment equity, and welcomes applications from women, racial minorities, and other traditionally under-represented groups.

Starting salary will depend on experience. The CCPA is a unionized workplace and provides a generous benefits package.

To Apply:

Deadline for applications: Thursday December 16, 2004, 4:00PM

Send a cover letter and resume with references and telephone numbers by mail, courier or in person to:
Attn: Marc Lee
CCPA-BC
1400-207 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC  V6B 1H7

Resumes will NOT be accepted by email or fax.
Please do not call to confirm receipt of your application.

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those candidates short-listed for an interview will be contacted.

About the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives:

The CCPA is an independent, non-partisan research institute concerned with issues of social and economic justice. Founded in 1980, the CCPA is one of Canada's leading progressive voices in public policy debates.

By combining solid research with extensive outreach, we work to enrich democratic dialogue and ensure Canadians know there are workable solutions to the issues we face. The Centre offers analysis and policy ideas to the media, general public, social justice and labour organizations, academia and government.

We produce research studies, policy briefs, books, editorials and commentary, and other publications, including The Monitor, a monthly magazine.

In 1997, the CCPA opened an office in British Columbia in an effort to bring greater balance to public policy debates in the province, and to undertake research of specific interest to British Columbians. The Centre currently has approximately 3,000 members in BC.

For more information about the CCPA, visit our webpage at http://www.policyalternatives.ca

----
Shannon Daub, Communications Coordinator
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (BC)
web: http://www.policyalternatives.ca
tel: 604-801-5121, ext 226     fax: 604-801-5122
mail: 1400-207 West Hastings St, Vancouver, V6B 1H7
CAW3000

News Release: Postal strike possible in December

November 5th Ottawa—Postal services in Canada could be facing some difficulties during the crucial pre-Holidays period if Canada Post continues to disrespect its employees, according to PSAC’s Union of Postal Communications Employees (UPCE) , the union representing Canada Post’s 2,500 administrative, clerical, technical and professional employees. “The employer has presented the union with a global offer that contains roll-backs and does not address the employees’ most important issues such as improving the job security, bargaining unit work, staffing, and treatment of surplus employees” said UPCE President Luc Guevremont. “We are left with no other choice, but to ask our members to vote in favour of strike action.” Read more at psac.com. Click for the UPCE negotiations update.

To all self-identified youth members in BC

November 8th Re: 2005 Regional Convention Dear members: The BC Regional by-laws define a youth as a member who is under 30 years of age. The by-laws also stipulate that “The Coordinator for Youth and her/his alternate shall be a young worker, whether term, indeterminate or student who is under thirty years of age and shall be elected by the self-identified youth delegates and observers at convention”. Last month we mailed out the convention call to all locals, committees and self-identified equity and youth members.  The convention call included a nomination for delegates.  Unfortunately this form did not have a “youth self-identification” box. To rectify this mistake I am enclosing a corrected form and I do encourage all youth members to run as delegate for the April 2005 convention or to nominate another youth member. We will also post the corrected nomination form on our web site. In solidarity, Patty Ducharme, Regional Executive Vice-President, BC Delegate_Nomination_form.pdf

Letter to the Editor: Ottawa Citizen

November 18th Recently, the Ottawa Citizen published several articles condemning the PSAC for fining their members “who did not picket”. PSAC would like to correct the misinformation. PSAC members who did not picket but who did not cross the picket line or otherwise work for the employer are not strike breakers as defined in our Constitution, and are not subject to the discipline you refer to. Most workers who went on strike were worried about incurring financial hardship; they went out on strike anyway. They understood that by working cooperatively and striking when necessary they can achieve better working conditions and wages. All PSAC members benefit from a better collective agreement, so it is only fair that all members share in the sacrifices that were necessary to achieve it. Not only do strike breakers not contribute to the collective effort of their union members, but they in fact weaken the bargaining position that we all possess by striking, while reaping all the benefits.  PSAC disciplinary procedures are based on democratic principles and due process. They have been debated and decided upon by our union members, and enshrined in our Constitution. Members who crossed their own picket lines will be given the opportunity to make their case, and will be afforded due process. Imposing discipline on our members is never taken lightly, but neither should strike breaking. Nycole Turmel, National President, PSAC

2005 PSAC National Access Conference - Call for Observers

November 18th We are pleased to inform you that there is now space for observers on a “first come - first serve”  basis at the fifth PSAC National Access Conference, which has been rescheduled for January 20, 2005 to January 23, 2005 at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal. The objectives of the 2005 PSAC National Access Conference are: Ensuring the rights of members with disabilities resonate in the Union and in the Workplace; Linking decreased rights for People with Disabilities to globalization; Developing and implementing Union based strategies to ensure integration of the rights of members with disabilities in the Local, the Workplace and the Government; and Mobilizing Members with Disabilities to activism within the Union, their Workplace and their Communities. We encourage you to personally inform your members with disabilities in order to ensure they are made aware of this conference. Bulletin boards may not always be accessible and additional outreach will be critical for persons with disabilities. Download the .pdf document below for more details. ACCESS-CallOut_for_Observers_-_Nov17.pdf

TB 1 & 3 - Vote No

November 22nd The Negotiating Teams for Table 1 and Table 3 are unanimously recommending rejection of the employer's final offer. Click for a short movie: PSAC members in their own words - why we're voting no.

Job Posting - CCPA

JOB POSTING: Researcher, CCPA-BC Public Interest Research Desk Posted November 17, 2004. Please post and circulate.

Position Summary:

The Public Interest Research Desk (PIRD) researcher undertakes a variety of short and long-term research projects related to the role and value of public services, social programs, public enterprise, the relationship between the public and private sectors, and privatization. Duties consist of a combination of research and writing, policy analysis, and media/public speaking work.

Skills and Qualifications Required:

The position requires a strong background in both economic and social policy, and demonstrated research experience dealing with public services. The successful candidate must have a strong graduate-level academic background in a relevant field of study.

Read more here.

UPCE Strike Report -

December 17th : via email Lines were up again at 5:30 am. I talked to the morning squad about where we were at, which provinces were out and our strategy for the day. Employee entrances had tighter lines, but the delay of trucks is still the popular event. A few CUPW drivers have been refusing to drive across the lines, so they would get out, then a supervisor or another non-CUPW worker would drive the truck across the lines, then CUPW drivers would get back in once the truck is across. Lots of impact and energy! Picket squad shifts have already changed over with the current strategy still in place. - Monica Urrutia, A/Regional Rep., Vancouver

Action Needed: Oppose Bill C-268

November 24th : via email Next Friday, November 26, Parliament will be asked to vote on a Private  Members Bill (Bill C-268) which would define marriage as "the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others." We need your help. Please contact your MP today and ask them to vote against it!! Read more on the GLBT issues page.

Urgent - BC Fed convention - PSAC Caucus

November 24th Please note that the 2 caucus meetings, scheduled for Sunday night and Tuesday, for PSAC BC Fed delegates have ben canceled.

Participate in the National Day of Action Against Secret Trials - Dec 10th

November 25th : via email Friends, December 10 marks International Human Rights Day. Two years ago on International Human Rights Day, Mohamed Harkat, an Algerian refugee, was arrested in Ottawa, and has been in jail, without charge or bail on secret "evidence" neither he nor his lawyer is allowed to see, ever since. He is one of five Muslim men held under Canada's secret trial process. Mohammad Mahjoub (held since June, 2000), Mahmoud Jaballah (August, 2001), Hassan Almrei (solitary confinement since October, 2001), and Adil Charkaoui (May 2003) all face deportation to torture. Read more on the racially visible issues page.

The Grassroots Team at The Corporation Has Good news:

November 25th : via email The long awaited VHS of the film for Canadian home use is finally available for ordering!! This is a limited offer, only two per household in Canada. Pre sales are available online now, orders to be shipped December 1. (VHS only, the DVD is not on the market yet.) http://www.thecorporation.com/canada/vhs.php .  Part of the proceeds of this special offer will support the grassroots efforts of The Corporation worldwide. By buying this VHS you will help us keep the Corporation website going and assist us in developing campaigns to help link the issues in the film to ways to take action. So please, take advantage of this offer and order your copies of The Corporation VHS today. We really appreciate your support!

News Release: Strike looms at Canada Post

November 26th OTTAWA, Nov. 26 /CNW Telbec/ - Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada working at Canada Post voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action and are prepared to walk the picket line as early as December 8 if they don't get a fair collective agreement soon. The president of the PSAC component Union of Postal Communications Employees (UPCE), Luc Guevremont, indicated that 73% said yes to strike action at Canada Post after the PSAC negotiating team reported that management was asking for a series of rollbacks without addressing any of the members' priority proposals. Read more at newswire.ca (link opens in new window).

Picket support needed - CAW Local 3000

We met with the Company Tuesday November 23rd to address a illegal strike replacement complaint at the LRB. No bargaining took place. We will be stepping up the pressure on the Employer by trying to get as many of our supporters to show up on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings on the picket line. We believe there will be some functions occurring those nights.

So if anyone can lend some support at our picket line on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, it would be appreciated.

CAW Local 3000 picket line: 950 Crosscreek Rd., West Vancouver.

In Sol, Frank Sobczak, President, CAW Local 3000

Message to all PSAC Locals, Regional Council Members, National Officers, Regional Committees and Area Councils in British Columbia

Click for further info re: TB and CFIA vote meetings | Parks and CRA vote meetings 

As you may know, PSAC is facing a potential work conflict with staff. To be more specific, members of the Alliance Employees Union (AEU) who work in negotiations, representation, education, programs, communications, translation, finance and administration, and related functions are now in a legal strike position, and have rejected a tentative agreement reached by both parties.

Despite our best efforts to conclude a tentative agreement this past weekend, we were unsuccessful. AEU has advised us that they will commence strike action at 12:01 a.m. Monday, November 29th. We recognize and respect AEU's legal right to strike, and we will act accordingly. Strikes are never easy. PSAC will not be doing bargaining unit work unless we have a constitutional or legal obligation to do so.

In the Regional offices, regional representatives and administrative staff are not in a legal strike position. We reached an agreement with our regional staff earlier this year.

We are making every effort to reduce any negative impact on the PSAC membership, including the ratification and final employer’s offer votes. Ratification votes are the work of the Locals together with the regional representatives, who are not in a legal strike position.

CRA, Parks, TB and CFIA Locals will be receiving an email shortly providing further details on any potential impact on their votes.

Given the potential for picket lines at PSAC events, I'd like to take this opportunity to remind you all that the BC Federation of Labour has a very clear picket line policy. As per the policy, we are asking PSAC Members to respect any AEU picket lines they may encounter at PSAC events. Any PSAC events that experience a picket line will be cancelled immediately.

Regional Offices that face picket lines will be closed; staff and members are expected to respect the picket line.

For Mainland B.C., urgent calls can be directed to (604) 999-9642 or (604) 839-0397. If you are calling from outside of the Lower Mainland, please feel free to call collect. On Vancouver Island, an emergency number will be provided on the Victoria Regional Office voice mail greeting. We will ensure that calls are returned as quickly as possible. We recognize the dedication and contribution of our staff to the work of our Union and hope the conflict is resolved soon.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or concerns, or if you would like further information. My office can be reached by email at patty.ducharme@shaw.ca, phone: 604-839-0156, fax: 604-430-0194.

In Solidarity, Patty Ducharme, Regional Executive Vice-President for B.C.