Hello friends,

The CEIU Ontario Front End/Outreach Committee is excited to launch our first Mobilization drive for Front-ends.   

As conveyed at our May 18, 2022 province-wide virtual meeting, through this mobilization drive we are going to raise our collective voice regarding our concerns (safety, equity, wellness and others), show solidarity as a united front and build a network of support for the crucial work we do in service of this great country.  

As part of this movement, we are providing a golf shirt to all front-end members and we would appreciate a commitment from each of you to wear it on the designated dates that will be shared after distribution is complete. The costs of the shirts are covered by the CEIU Ontario Region. 

Please share this link containing the shirt order form with your members who are CSOs, CSSs and TLs. 

CEIU Front End Committee Shirt Order Form (google.com)

Thank you in advance for all your hard work and dedication to our component and union during this trying and stressful time. We are calling on each and every one of you to support us as we endeavor to improve the lives of all the members in Front-End workplaces. 

Stay safe, Stay healthy and Stay strong.

In Solidarity,

Your Front End/Outreach Committee

Chris Aylward elected PSAC National President

Sharon DeSousa acclimated PSAC National Executive Vice President

Alex Silas elected PSAC Alternate National Executive Vice President

In solidarity,

CEIU Local 581

May 24, 2022

Since the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board ruled in favour of public service workersregarding the use of the 699 leave last March, Treasury Board has failed to implement the decision. 

The decision stipulates that the employer can’t force workers to exhaust all other leave options before considering requests for 699 leave for COVID-19 related reasons. This decision meant that PSAC members who filed individual grievances related to 699 leave would be able request the leave be reimbursed to their leave banks.  

This was a relief for many workers who were forced to use sick leave, family-related leave, or vacation leave. Yet it still appears that some departments continue to direct members to use other leave options before approving 699 leave, which is completely unacceptable.  

The failure to implement the decision is causing significant confusion for members. More importantly, it is in direct violation of the collective agreement’s leave clauses. 

Since the decision was issued in March, Treasury Board has never consulted PSAC to draft directives or guidelines to implement the decision — despite our many requests to initiate the process. 

PSAC has once again reached out to the employer asking them to take immediate, meaningful action to change its practice, reimburse affected members, and engage with the union. If Treasury Board refuses to comply in a timely manner, PSAC will return the issue to the arbitration board and demand that Treasury Board comply with the decision.

https://psacunion.ca/699-leave-treasury-board-fails-to-implement-arbitration-ruling?fbclid=IwAR3yRzTdgp9lX-Sav0FiyJyv5Uacoy9wWKU5KOImwOvbsR66H779QWeL2sQ

Date and time

Fri, May 27, 2022 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EDT

Location

Online event

Event description

Join us Friday, May 27 & Friday, June 1 at 7pm EST to discuss what it takes to make “mobilization” an action and not just a word.

The Action Caucus is a cross-union initiative of leaders and activists who want to see our union movement recover its roots of radicalism, militancy, class conscious politics and action-oriented strategy. We are active at Canada Labour Congress & Provincial Federation conventions, and seeking to grow our presence within affiliate unions to advance this work. 

• We support a labour movement that is based on unity in action with class struggle positions.
• We are opposed to all forms of discrimination and will actively fight against racism, sexism and homophobia within our unions. Particular attention is needed to eliminate anti-Black and Indigenous racism.
• We support strong organizing strategies that help unorganized workers, the unemployed and community groups fight for their rights.
• We agree capitalism is failing working people and are opposed to austerity agendas during this economic crisis and will fight to curb corporate greed and power. In other words, people before profit.
• We want to expand labour and human rights and will campaign for the types of social programs which protect working families.
• We want to build solidarity between workers in Quebec, the First Nations and the rest of Canada based on the right of nations to self-determination.
• We are Internationalists and do not support foreign intervention in the affairs of other nations.
• We agree to coordinate our work on a plan of action to accomplish our goals.
• We agree there is a need for labour to work beyond electoral strategies and for independent political action.

This is an informal and volunteer driven event that does not have bilingual support or accessibility support at this time. We hope to recruit volunteers who can assist us in making the caucus accessible for future events. If you would like to participate but will face accessibility barriers, please contact me at sean.mcneill@protonmail.ch

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/psac-action-caucus-building-a-network-to-push-our-union-forward-tickets-345727790127

Hello everyone,

In your (ESDC) work email on May 18, you received an email titled “We want to hear from you”. It describes a townhall with the Deputy Minister on June 16 and calls for questions for an “Ask Me Anything”. In that spirit, please consider submitting the below prepared question. Let us know that you have submitted the question,  so we can track how many did submit it and if they ignore it we can make note of this to the membership in follow up. 

Please do not send the email directly off of this thread or from your personal email. Please submit through your work email and copy & paste the question. If you cannot find the email and need the address for sending the question to, please reach out. Deadline is May 25th.

Question: The Department has spoken frequently about supporting a hybrid work model that recognizes the value of work-from-home (WFH) arrangements. However, at the bargaining table the Treasury Board refuses to include any language about WFH in the collective agreement. Does the Department leadership support the call for equity and transparency in WFH policy through its inclusion in the collective agreement?

I would encourage everyone to watch this heart felt, powerful and empowering webcast that was delivered through the Canada School of Public Service and now available on YouTube. See link attached. If you have any content that you would like to post that are relevant to our union, local and work. Feel free to reach out to localceiu581@gmail.com.

https://youtu.be/v6HeHpNJDfw

Have a fun and safe long weekend!

Dear Member of CEIU/PSAC:

You are receiving this email as a member in good standing of the Canada Employment and Immigration (CEIU), a component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).

CEIU, is once again pleased to be offering National Scholarships to CEIU members in good standing, their spouse, their common-law partner, and/or their dependant(s). The scholarships are offered from the “royalties” CEIU receives from The Personal Insurance as well as the BMO CEIU Master Card, from the business they both receive from CEIU members.  

Attached you will find CEIU Policy 31, which provides further information on the 2022 CEIU National Scholarships, as well as the Application Form.

Deadline date to send the completed application form and necessary documents is 4:00 p.m.(Ottawa time) on August 26^th, 2022.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the CEIU National Office by email at: national@ceiu-seic.ca

Sue Séguin

Executive Assistant and Advisor to the National President

Adjointe exécutive et conseillère au président national

Canada Employment and Immigration Union (CEIU)

Syndicat de l’Emploi et de l’Immigration du Canada (SEIC)

613-236-9634 ext 225  ou / or 855-271-3848 ext 225

Cell :  873-353-4446

www.ceiu-seic.ca 

May 18, 2022

After nearly a year of negotiations with Treasury Board, we made the difficult decision to declare impasse for more than 120,000 of our members in the PA, SV, TC and EB groups.

This week, we filed for conciliation with the federal labour board, and we’ll be ramping up our pressure on the government across the country this summer to reach a fair settlement quickly.

Every round of bargaining matters, but this one is especially critical. So much has changed for our members over the past two years, and our collective agreements need to reflect that. We’ve seen how the pandemic has impacted the way we live and work, and now the cost of living is getting out of hand.

We’re asking for sensible improvements to our members’ working conditions so that workers aren’t left behind. We need more options for remote work and better work-life balance as we recover from the pandemic, inclusive workplaces, better job security and fair wages that keep up with rising inflation.

But all we’ve seen at the table is disrespect from Treasury Board and a complete disregard for the issues that matter most to PSAC members. They have flat-out rejected our proposals on mental health and anti-racism and discrimination training for all federal public service workers.

They’re also hell-bent on pushing through concessions around technological change, discipline, leave provisions, and the Work Force Adjustment policy that will hurt workers.

But the real tipping point was the government’s insulting wage offeraveraging 1.75% per year over a four-year agreement from 2021-2025 that’s entirely out of touch with record-high inflation.

If the government expects PSAC members who have been getting Canadians through the pandemic to shoulder the costs of Canada’s recovery, they’re in for a rude awakening.

You deserve a fair and decent contract, and we’ll be counting on your support over the weeks and months ahead to fight for the issues that impact you.

Taking strike action is always a last resort, but if we need to go on strike to get the contract you deserve, that’s exactly what we’ll do. We need to be prepared, get mobilized, stay engaged, and be ready to take action.

In solidarity,

Chris Aylward
PSAC National President

Good Afternoon, 

Members are invited to register for “Retirement Planning; What Are You Doing After Work?”.
Are you thinking of retiring in the next 10 years? If so, then this course is a must for you and your partner/family.
Can you afford to retire? Are you concerned about health issues? Wonder what you will do with your free time? Do you wonder how leaving your workplace will affect your family and friends?
The course is presented by retirees who have tackled those questions and a lot more in their lives.

Date: 
June 25, 2022 at 10:00 AM – 2:30PM
June 26, 2022 at 10:00 AM – 2:00PM

This course is best suited for participation on a computer (desktop or laptop).  A mobile device can be used (tablet, cell phone) however the participant experience may be affected.
 
Please note, the new policy for virtual learning can be found on the Regional website. The policy will be in effect for “Congress of Union of Retirees of Canada (CURC) – Virtual Version”. Upon successful completion of the course, members will be reimbursed as per approved policy. The Course must be completed in its entirety before the per diem is issued. PSAC Online Education Per Diem and Loss of Salary Policy

Loss of Salary: Eligible loss of salary reimbursement will be paid to members attending the virtual “Congress of Union of Retirees of Canada (CURC) – Virtual Version”, during hours in which they were scheduled to work. Any eligible loss of salary will be reimbursed upon confirmation of full attendance and completion of the course and in accordance with the applicable PSAC policy.

ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY:
This event is covered by the PSAC Statement on Harassment. 

Please register by utilizing one of the following: 

Register Here

or 

Poster

Have a Good Weekend!

Good Afternoon, 

Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) Ontario is inviting members to “TALKING UNION BASICS – Virtual”. This course introduces members to the PSAC and prepares them for more advanced union education. It provides an historical and structural overview of the union, introduces participants to the collective agreement and gives them a chance for hands-on practice in problem-solving.

This course will be delivered over two (2)separate days. Please read the dates and times carefully.
Section #1 – Friday, June 17, 2022 – 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Section #2 – Saturday, June 18, 2022 – 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

This course is best suited for participation on a computer (desktop or laptop). A mobile device can be used (tablet, cell phone) however the participant experience may be affected.

Please note, the new policy for virtual learning can be found on the Regional website. The policy will be in effect for Talking Union Basics – Virtual Version. Upon successful completion of the course, members will be reimbursed as per approved policy. The Course must be completed in its entirety before the per diem is issued.

Loss of Salary: Eligible loss of salary reimbursement will be paid to members attending the virtual Talking Union Basics, during hours in which they were scheduled to work. Any eligible loss of salary will be reimbursed upon confirmation of full attendance and completion of the course and in accordance with the applicable PSAC policy.
 
The following policies are in effect at all PSAC Events:
 
ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY:
This event is covered by the PSAC Statement on Harassment.

 
ACCOMMODATION REQUIREMENTS:
The PSAC is committed to ensuring that the accessibility requirements of our members are respected. Please indicate your needs and provide any necessary explanation that will assist us in meeting them.
  

Registration deadline: May 26th, 2022

Approvals with be given on a first come first served basis so please register early to secure your spot. The course will be limited to 20 participants. Approved participants will be notified on May 27^th, 2022.

Please register by utilizing one of the following: 

Registration Link

HERE

Or

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