PRIDE CELEBRATIONS
Greetings,
Sisters and Brothers, people should not live in fear or be tormented for who they love or how they express themselves. Our Union and the entire Labour movement has fought for decades to extend equality protections for our members and every person in society.
Pride offers a safe space to express gender and sexual diversity for members of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans (GLBT) communities. It also acts as a political statement, which allows allies to join their GLBT Brothers and Sisters and take a stand against discrimination and oppression.
The GLBT umbrella continues to grow in inclusiveness of the range of diversity of gender and sexual identities. The expansion of inclusion is one of the reasons Toronto will host World Pride this year. As the first city in North America to host World Pride, members are encouraged to attend this global event that is expected to draw over 3 million people.
Ontario will also see a number of Pride celebrations happening in communities across the province. For a full listing see the attached PDF.
In Solidarity,
Karen Church,
Ontario Council GLBT Representative
And
Sharon DeSousa,
PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President Ontario
World Pride Toronto
June 20 – 29
www.pridetoronto.com
Pride London
July 19 – 27
www.pridelondon.ca
URGENT & IMPORTANT – TB Town Hall Meetings
Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
You are invited to attend an information meeting in your area as follows, for an update on this round of collective bargaining with Treasury Board.
May 14, 2014 – Museum London, 421 Ridout St. North, LONDON, Ontario
Session #1 – 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Session #2 – 4:45 – 5:45 p.m.
PSAC and your bargaining team are determined to achieve a fair contract; one that protects our hard fought gains, including our sick leave benefits.
These meetings will also serve to mobilize our members in defending our rights and provide more information on the bargaining process itself.
Please visit http://ontario.psac.com/bargaining/treasury-board-membership-meetings for the schedule of meetings across Ontario. Meetings are beginning at the end of April and continuing into May.
In Solidarity,
Sharon DeSousa,
PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President Ontario
Bill C-525 – Another Conservative Attack on Workers
Bill C-525 is another attack on our union rights and was brought forward as a private member’s bill from Conservative MP Blaine Calkins.
Bill C-525 would change the rules that apply when workers decide whether or not to have a union in their workplace. Under the current laws, if a majority of employees sign union cards their union can be certified. The Bill would impose a forced vote even when a majority of workers have clearly shown they want a union.
The Bill also proposes to remove Section 39(2) of the Canada Labour Code. Under this section, a union cannot be decertified when a collective agreement is not in force. The purpose is to give collective bargaining a fair chance and only applies when the parties have reached an impasse. It helps reduce instances of employer intimidation tactics to try to get the union decertified rather than negotiate an agreement and is particularly appropriate where an agreement is being negotiated for the first time.
This is another Conservative bill aimed at weakening unions by masking the true intent of the bill. The real purpose of Bill C-525 is to make it harder for workers to organize.
Please send an email to your local MP demanding that they vote against this bill. You can send a personalized message online here:
http://ontario.psac.com/email/send-your-member-of-parliament-a-message
In Solidarity,
Sharon DeSousa,
PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President – Ontario
Sick Leave Telephone Town-Hall recording
Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
PSAC Ontario held a province-wide telephone town-hall on April 8, 2014 at 7pm.
Our call reached over 4,000 members who were able to take part in our live and interactive call on sick leave and bargaining in the federal public service.
For members who were not able to join the call, you can listen to a recording online here: http://youtu.be/ZhZEWie9cwM?t=1s
Rest assured that we will continue to discuss this important topic and are in the process of finalizing regional meetings on sick leave and bargaining that will take place over the next few months.
Please visit www.psac.com/ontario in the coming weeks to find out more information on when the meetings will take place in your area.
Minutes from AGM – Feb 20/14
CEIU LOCAL 581 – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Thursday, February 20, 1014
457 RICHMOND ST, ORANGE BOARDROOM
LONDON, ON
4:30PM (Approx) TO 6:00pm (Approx)
ATTENDANCE:
EXECUTIVE: Sara Johnson Vleuten – PRESIDENT, Raquel Ireland-Staats – VP CLUSTER OFFICES, Sandy Snider-Treasurer, Nancy York-Chief Steward, Amy Sussex – SECRETARY, Nathan Haley – VP CIC
GUESTS: Todd Woytiuk-PSAC
CALL TO ORDER – ESTABLISH QUORUM
Meeting was called to order at 4:35pm and Sara established quorum.
CALL FOR ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS
Sara called for additional items to agenda – no amendments made
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES (AGM February 12, 2013 see ATTACHED)
Motion to accept minutes by Katherine Johnston
Seconded by Donna Wells Motion carried
TREASURERS REPORT (ATTACHED)
Financial statement for 2013 handed out to floor to peruse. Local 581 financial books (ledgers) were audited by a member in good standing and were found in good order.
All in favour to adopt financial statement. No one opposed.
Motion carried.
2014 Budget handed out to the floor. It was brought up to the membership that the local no longer has internet fee but we have a website and pay a fee for that. It was reminded to the membership to sign up on the website to receive emails. This way they won’t be receiving duplicate emails.
Sandy brought up money that is in the GIC. Prior to current one coming due July 2014, we have options for what to do with it. It was suggested by the financial planner at TD to split up the current GIC. He mentioned that we could have $5000 at different maturity levels in a guaranteed GIC and get more income off of it and don’t want to have a loss.
Question brought out to the floor for all imposed for diversify GIC. Majority in favour. Asked if anyone opposed. No one opposed.
The local executive will look into splitting up the GIC’s.
It was brought out to the floor to increase the honorarium for Chief Steward as they do a lot of work, attend all the meetings, go to conferences, handle grievances for all offices.
All on floor agreed to increase the honorarium for Chief Steward.
Motion Carried.
COMMITTEE CHAIR REPORT
Sara read highlights from the Health and Safety Report prepared by Erin Shelby. She said that there were 11 incidnets last year. There is no fluctuation compared to previous years. The number of hazards has decreased. Health and Safety members were re-certified in CPR. Violence in the workplace training they are hoping it is coming soon and continues to be an outstanding agenda item. The file bays on the 2nd floor were assessed. New stools were bought. Working alone policy has been looked into as well. Erin attended the EAP seminar and a reminder to staff that it is available to them. Erin has re-signed as CO Chair of the committee and Barb Derbyshire has accepted the position.
PRESIDENTS REPORT
Sara discussed how the Executive is new this year and the satellite and CIC VP’s are not but the rest is. She said that we are learning and trying to help as best we can. She said that we have taken TUB training and there is more training coming up. She mentioned that we did local development training with Lynn at the Regional PSAC office. She mentioned that Sara and Amy went to the we are All Affected campaign in May 2013. She thanked everyone for coming to the meet and greet as we had great attendance. She encouraged everyone to participate as we are all part of the union. Sara attended the Women’s Conference and Nancy & Jen attended the Bargaining Conference. Sara mentioned that the local Executive will be attending a JLP session with management. The session is a Union Management Consultation. The union executive currently meets with management every 3 months. The purpose of this training is to facilitate relationships and work together with management to achieve a good relationship. She thanked everyone for their patience and support.
Chief Steward Report
Nancy said that she attended Collective Bargaining the past month and that we need everyone’s support now more than ever. She said that she will be attending a Duty to Accommodate course in the upcoming weeks. She thanked everyone for coming.
Guest Speaker
Todd discussed the bargaining conferences and how at the conferences demands are decided. He mentioned how fortunate it is that Nancy was able to attend. He discussed the upcoming budget and how the current government is waiting to put a 0% increase in wages in the contract. He discussed how all 17 unions are joining together to fight the current government. This is the first time this has every happened. He discussed how there are 2 years left in the current contract of the Federal Government. He said that they are attacking the public servants because we are easy targets. He said that if we were to write anything to a newspaper we would have to do it as a citizen to the paper and not as a public servant.
He said that the issue is sick time that the government is wanting to amend. He said that the current government feels that it is broken and it needs to be fixed. He discussed how the current sick time works and the proposed changes the government wants to make. He also discussed short term disability and the direction the government would want to go in regards to sick time. He discussed the costs and affect this would have on members.
He discussed how other union members such as Canada Post were affected with their sick time. He discussed how members are forced to use other paid leave or take leave without pay because of the reduction in paid sick leave. He reminded the members in order to collect LTD there is a 13 week waiting period and LTD is typically available for people with serious illness.
He also discussed how both levels of government want to introduce the Right to Work legalisations. He discussed how the most States in the United States have adopted this and the affect it has had on that Country. He discussed the Rand Formula that is currently in place.
He discussed how for years unions have fight for social justice and have been an activist group. He said that unions are here to ensure that justice is heard.
He discussed Bill C4 & C525. He said that in Bill C525 the proposal is that any member that no shows would equal a no vote. The question was asked if mail in or proxy vote would be allowed if this came become law. Todd said that this is still being determined.
The question was asked from the floor what was being done to promote public servants and portray us as positive. Todd discussed the Right to Work video on Youtube and suggested that people watch it. He said to talk to our families and neighbours and discuss that we do good work. CLC has a commercial and uses social media. Todd said that he will send out the Saskatchewan workers video to the members.
Todd reminded everyone that there is the Spring School in April for union education on facilitating and political activism.
REGULATIONS
Sara stated that changes to the local rules need to be made as a regulation and not a bylaw. The local executive was advised of this rule following the submission of last year’s AGM minutes. This change will take effect the date of last AGM February 12 2013 and going forward.
Therefore, the changes that were made last year at the last AGM are now resolutions and not bylaws.
She said that the change to honorarium will go as a regulation as well.
ELECTIONS – VP LONDON, TREASURER, CHIEF STEWARD
Treasurer
Nomination from the floor by Sara Johnson Vleuten – Sandy Snider – Janice Howarth seconded the motion-Sandy accepted and acclaimed Treasurer of Local 581
Chief Steward
Sara nominated Nancy York as Chief Steward. Kelsey Mcmahon seconded this motion. Nancy York accepted and acclaimed Chief Steward of Local 581
CIC Vice President
Sara nominated Nathan Haley as VP for CIC. Sandy Snider seconded this motion. Nathan Haley accepted and acclaimed CIC VP of Local 581
Vice President Satellite Offices
Sara nominated Raquel Ireland Staats as VP of Satellite offices. Patti Perteens seconded this motion. Raquel Ireland Staats accepted and acclaimed VP of Satellite offices of Local 581
Vice President – London Proper
Nomination from the floor by Sara Johnson Vleuten Katherine Johnston –Nancy York seconded this motion. Katherine Johnston accepted and acclaimed Vice President London Proper Local 581
There was a call out to the floor for anyone interested in being a steward. No interest at this time.
Declarations of Office will be signed and witnessed as soon as possible, following this meeting.
Door Prize
Sara drew door prize for London Lighting Basketball Game.
Jelena Stepancev-Kovacevic won the door prize.
ADJOURNMENT
Sara motioned to adjourn the AGM at 6pm
Seconded by Amy Sussex. Motion Carried
Stand up for workers’ rights against Bill C-525-communicate w/ Members of Parliament!!!
Conservative Members of Parliament want to make it harder for people to form a union at work. They’re trying to rush Bill C-525 through the House of Commons as fast as possible.
The Committee studying the Bill is allowing only one day of witnesses. PSAC asks what’s the big rush?
What the Conservatives want to keep quiet is that this Bill is profoundly undemocratic.
Under current federal labour laws in both the public and private sectors, if a majority of employees sign a union card, the union is certified. If there is less than a majority, a vote is held. Right now, the majority rules – a majority of those who cast a vote. But that won’t be the case if Bill C-525 becomes law.
Under Bill C-525, whenever a vote is taken, employees who don’t vote will be counted. They will automatically be counted as having voted against the union – even though they never voted.
You can help by sending an email to the Members of Parliament sitting on the committee that’s examining in the Bill. PSAC President Robyn Benson and REVP forQuebec Magali Picard are appearing before the committee on Tuesday. But they need your help. The Conservatives are trying to rush thisBill through as quickly as possible. Act now!
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Dear Members of Parliament:
I am very concerned about Bill C-525. This Bill is going to create problems where none currently exist. Here are several of them.
Existing federal labour laws in the public and private sectors allow workers to freely decide to unionize or to decertify. Bill C-525 will eliminate the right to automatic certification when a majority of workers have clearly shown their intent by signing union cards. Experience in the provinces where this right has been eliminated shows that workers are vulnerable to employer intimidation before votes can take place.
When labour boards conduct votes, unions can only be certified or decertified if there is majority support among the workers who vote.
With Bill C-525, unions will need a majority of the entire bargaining unit to become certified. In other words, labour boards will have to count all those who did not vote as having voted against the union. In the case of a decertification vote, once again anyone who does not cast a ballot will be counted as voting against the union.
How can you possibly make assumptions about those who do not vote? You have to cast a vote to be counted. As a Member of Parliament, if you chose not to vote on Bill C-525, your non-existent vote will not be counted as either for or against the Bill.
Bill C-525 also proposes changes to the Public Service Labour Relations Act and the Parliamentary Employees Staff Relations Act that will set the requirement to decertify the union at 45%. There is no justification to allow a minority to be able to overturn the will of the majority.
Labour laws should balance the interests of workers, employers and the public. These laws should only be changed with careful consideration and after full consultations with those affected. Bill C-525 was not the result of consultation and is seriously flawed.
I ask you to vote against this Bill at the Committee stage and in the House of Commons.
Conservatives still pushing Bill C-525
The Parliamentary Committee studying Bill C-525 spent just three hours hearing from witnesses and asking them questions about changes to three federal labour laws that will affect over a million workers.
Bill C-525 would change the rules that apply when workers decide whether or not to have a union in their workplace. Under the current laws, if a majority of employees sign union cards their union can be certified. The Bill would impose a forced vote even when a majority has clearly shown they want a union.
During testimony before the Committee, MPs were told repeatedly by all sides that the proposal in the Bill that would count anyone who didn’t vote as having voted against the union was anti-democratic and not in keeping with Canadian standards.
The government MPs on the Committee had to agree that this was not appropriate and amended the Bill in Committee to say that certification and decertification decisions are made on the basis of a majority of those who actually vote.
In spite of this change, Bill C-525 is still a solution in search of a problem.
Witness after witness told the Committee that the best way to change labour law is through extensive consultation with employers and unions. Reaching a consensus on changes contributes to harmonious labour relations; imposing changes does not. Nevertheless the Bill is proceeding.
The real purpose of Bill C-525 is to make it harder for workers to organize. The Chair of the Canada Industrial Labour Relations Board testified that up to now representation votes are called in only 18 to 20 percent of cases under the Canada Labour Code. Insisting that votes be held in all cases will quintuple the Board’s workload requiring more staff and financial resources; all this at a time when budgets are frozen. The more votes, the longer it will take for workers to have their unions certified, the more time the employer will have to interfere.
Bill C-525 will now go back to the House of Commons for further votes and then proceed to the Senate.
PSAC will be continuing to work with MPs and Senators to stop this damaging and unnecessary piece of legislation.
Topics:
February 14, 2014
Reminder AGM tonight! – Sweet Door Prize
Please join us in Orange Boardroom on the first floor @ 457 Richmond St. London.
starts @ 4:30pm Thurs. Feb 20/14
We will have a guest speaker, PSAC regional rep, Todd Woytiuk, refreshments/food…. and we have an awesome door prize to give away – a pair of basketball tickets to see the London Lightning play this weekend!
PSAC members commit to defending workplace rights and benefits
**Our Chief Steward, Nancy York, was in attendance at this conference
PSAC’s Treasury Board Bargaining conference closed on a determined note Sunday, as more than 300 union members committed to defending workplace rights and benefits in the next round of bargaining. Only days after the government introduced a federal budget calling for even more cuts to crucial programs, participants pledged to stand up for public sector workers and the services they provide.
“This is about protecting the hard-won rights of our members over decades,” said Robyn Benson, PSAC National President, in her address to the conference. “And it is about keeping those rights in place not just for us but for the next generations of workers who have yet to join the public service.”
Benson criticized the federal budget for its attacks on public sector sick leave. She also took aim at the Conservatives for rushing Bill C-525 through Parliament, “another outrageous Conservative bill that proposes to put up major roadblocks to the unionization of workers, and that will also allow a minority of workers to get rid of a union even when the majority wants to stick with their union.”
Conference participants heard from PSAC’s experts on the important issues that members will be facing at the bargaining table with Treasury Board, including sick leave and job security. Delegates also heard from Paul Moist, National President of CUPE, Hassan Yussuf, the Secretary Treasurer of the Canadian Labour Congress, Debi Daviau, the President of PIPSC, and Sam Hammond, the President of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario on the importance of mobilizing the membership and sticking together to achieve fair collective agreements.
Delegates united in strengthening union outreach in the workplace
Delegates worked together on Saturday to develop concrete strategies for engaging members in the workplace and for building the communications and outreach plans that will be essential for success at the bargaining table.
“It was clear that delegates were united in their resolve to defend public services and the working conditions of those who provide them,” said Chris Aylward, National Executive Vice President of PSAC.
On the last day, delegates elected bargaining teams for the five PSAC Treasury Board groups: the PA group, the FB group, the TC group, the SV group and the EB group. Bargaining teams will be preparing the demands for each group in the coming weeks.
“When the government attacks the people who provide public services, they are attacking all Canadians,” said Benson. “I was inspired to see all our delegates unite in their commitment to stand in the way of the decimation of the public service.”
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