PSAC statement on vaccination requirements for federal public service workers
On August 13, the federal government announced it will require COVID-19 vaccinations for all federal public service workers by early fall.
The government also expects that Crown corporations and other federally regulated employers will require vaccinations for their employees by the end of October.
As Canada enters a fourth wave of the pandemic, it’s more important than ever for Canadians to do everything they can to protect each other and slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.
Science has shown us that vaccinations – alongside other measures like masking and physical distancing – are the most effective ways to fight COVID-19 and keep each other safe.
PSAC supports measures to increase vaccination rates, including vaccination requirements for federal public service workers to protect our members, their colleagues, and our communities.
Governments and employers have an obligation to ensure our workplaces are safe for public service workers and Canadians everywhere.
Although we support the goals of the government’s proposal, it’s critical that any eventual plan put forward by the government that would collect or verify the vaccination or medical status of our members respects their legal right to privacy. The government must also provide accommodations for workers who cannot be vaccinated for reasons protected under human rights legislation.
We expect the government to continue consulting with unions on the implementation of their vaccination requirements to safeguard our members’ right to privacy and ensure that their human rights are respected.
Roy Page Scholarship 2021
To CEIU Members in Good Standing,
Please find attached the 2021 Roy Page Scholarship application. This year’s Scholarship will be awarded to up to six (6) applicants who are entering the first or second year of recognized post-secondary program. Applicants will be assessed on their response to one of two questions:
1. What role can unions play in the process of “truth and reconciliation”? You can consider the question from the perspective of the union and its membership, the union and the employer, the union and the political process, the union and Indigenous communities, or any other interpretation.
2. How do all workers benefit when the union centres anti-racism in its work? Or what does the union risk by not addressing racism in the workplace and in the union? Your answer can explore one or both issues.
The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, October 12th. Submission can be made by email to oninfo@ceiu-seic.ca. Please ensure the candidate reviews the form instructions in full and return a completed form with the submission.
In Solidarity,
CEIU Ontario Regional Council
Please contact your local executive for additional information if you’re interested in applying and / or would like a copy of the application form sent to you.
PA group begins negotiations with Treasury Board
The Program and Administrative Service (PA) group bargaining team met with Treasury Board representatives for the first time June 22-23 to exchange proposals packages. PSAC is committed to pushing for a fair deal that addresses the concerns and needs members identified at the National Bargaining Conference, and rejecting any concessionary proposals from the employer.
Key issues the PA team raised include:
- Expanded leave provisions, such as more paid time off to support mental health and tend to family responsibilities.
- Better pay for overtime and shift work, including a higher premium for weekend work.
- A new statutory holiday to recognize National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) and inclusion of the recently legislated National Day for Truth and Reconciliation holiday (September 30) into the collective agreement.
Though not part of this proposals package, improved wages and job-specific allowances are a key goal for this round of talks and will be included in the comprehensive wage proposal to be submitted later in the bargaining process.
The PA bargaining team will resume talks with the employer in September.
Common Issues
The common issues bargaining team held its first talks June 14-15 and exchanged its proposals package with Treasury Board. PSAC outlined several key areas targeted for improvement, including remote work, work-life balance, parental leave top-up, protections against harassment and contracting out, job security, and workforce adjustment.
The team also underscored the need for measures to address systemic racism in the workplace and to make progress on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call to educate public service workers on the history of Indigenous peoples.
The union will study the government’s proposals in detail over the summer as part of preparations for the next common issues bargaining session in September.
Show your support
Meet your bargaining team and learn why they got involved in this round of negotiations. And show your support with our bargaining graphics:
- Video background for all your work meetings
- Social media frame for your social media profile picture
- Printable poster for your work area
Stay in touch
Please be sure to keep your contact information up to date via the member portalto receive all the latest updates as we negotiate your next contract. Read on psacunion.ca
Phoenix: Damages ruled taxable as Treasury Board refuses to cooperate
After months of waiting, the Canada Revenue Agency has rejected our request to review the taxability of Phoenix damages. This is directly due to Treasury Board’s refusal to provide CRA with a joint statement of facts which corrects CRA’s understanding of the purpose of our damages settlement agreement.
In an April 27 letter from the CRA, the Agency states:
As discussed in our meeting on February 3, 2021, we consented to reconsider our position only if the Employer and PSAC provided us with an agreed-upon statement of facts. As this did not happen, we have not considered any of the assertions in your draft statement of facts.
After numerous requests for Treasury Board’s cooperation, and direct appeals to Minister Duclos, they have refused any and all cooperation on the matter.Take actionIt’s clear they’re still angry that PSAC forced them to deliver a better deal for our members.
They’re frustrated that they have to honour the top-up clauses signed with the other unions to match our general damages agreement, and now they’re taking it out on PSAC members by sabotaging attempts to get a positive tax ruling.
Our union carefully worded the agreement to reflect a wide range of impacts suffered by PSAC members, including for “stress, aggravation, and pain and suffering and for the late implementation of collective agreements. There is a strong precedent of damages for those purposes being deemed non-taxable by CRA. The tax treatment of the general damages should reflect the purpose of that compensation as outlined in the agreement.
It is unacceptable that Treasury Board refuses to affirm these facts. Instead, they informed CRA that the agreement’s purpose is to resolve a policy grievance between the employer and the union – something that may be true for other unions, but not for PSAC’s damages agreement.
We will not let this stand without a fight.
While we continue to explore every legal avenue to appeal CRA’s decision, please take a moment to join our efforts by sharing your outrage directly with Minister Duclos and the Prime Minister.
Our goal is to ensure all PSAC members receive the full compensation they deserve and that we avoid any time consuming and complex tax disputes for individual members. We are also pushing Treasury Board to expedite the availability of the claims process for all former members and retirees who are still waiting to receive their Phoenix general damages.
We will provide additional updates to members about this ongoing work as we move forward.
In solidarity,
Chris Aylward
National President
Public Service Alliance of Canada
PS — For more information about Phoenix damages please check out our FAQ.Consulter la version françaiseJobs with PSAC
Local Health and Safety Committee employee member call out – Action required by March 19, 2021
Hello,
In a unionized workplace, the union is responsible for appointing the employee members of the local health and safety committee, as per Canada Labour Code part 2. (136 (2) b).
The terms can be no longer than 2 years in length. (CLC part 2 135.1 (14) Committee members may be selected for more than one term, but the membership should be reviewed after the 2 year mark.
The local OSH committee is a fantastic opportunity to work collaboratively with coworkers and the employer, in order to help make our workplace (including remote workplaces) as healthy and safe as possible.
Unions have been instrumental in gaining health and safety protections and they are still very involved in health and safety – advocating, offering training, bargaining and using the processes we have available to protect our members and assist with maintaining and improving health and safety standards for all workers.
Please take a look at the Terms of Reference for the committee and review the links below. The time commitment is about one meeting per month with the committee, along with any ad hoc meetings that may be called. It also includes receiving employee concerns, participating in inspections and should also include time spent on education. Training is provided by the employer. Other health and safety related training is offered by your union and other organizations that may occur on your own time. There is also a lot of training available online.
If you are currently on the health and safety committee and wish to be considered for an additional term or if you are interested in joining the health and safety committee, please respond to this email by March 19, 2021.
You may choose to include:
– a brief description of what H & S training or experience you currently have or are interested in gaining
– what you think makes you a good fit
**we are looking to fill 1 term at the end of March
In Solidarity,
Your CEIU Local 581 Union Executive Team
http://psacunion.ca/health-and-safety-0
https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/L-2/page-29.html#h-341650 (sections 135/136)
https://www.ccohs.ca/ (CCOHS also has an app you can download if you like)
http://iservice.prv/eng/hr/ohs/index.shtml
http://iservice.prv/eng/hr/ohs/key_links/committees_representatives.shtml
Happy International Women’s Day!
Hello,
The CEIU Ontario Regional Women’s Committee would like to wish you a happy International Women’s Day! Please see the attached poster which celebrates CEIU women and women everywhere. We would also like to take this opportunity to let you know about some important upcoming events associated with International Women’s Day, which is on Monday, March 8, 2021.
On Saturday, March 6, 2021, at 1:00 pm EST there will be an International Women’s Day 2021 Toronto virtual rally. Participate live with the following link: International Women’s Day Toronto (facebook.com) Please note: you do not need a Facebook account to watch the livestream. Simply click on the link above to watch. This is just one of many virtual events. There are many other similar events across Ontario that may be local to you! Check social media or other online venues for events near you.
On Sunday, March 7, 2021, from 3:30 pm to 5:00 p.m EST the CEIU National Women’s Committee is hosting an International Women’s Day event, “Women’s Storytelling for Change.” RSVP for the Zoom link by Tuesday, March 2, 2021 to corbiereg@ceiu-seic.ca. If you haven’t already, please join our CEIU Women’s Facebook group. The webinar will be shared in the CEIU Women’s Facebook group for those of you not able to attend live. Please click the following link for more information: International Women’s Day Toronto | Facebook.
We are reaching out to all CEIU members who identify as women to answer some questions and help us, your CEIU National Vice-Presidents for Women, get a pulse of our members. We want to know what you see as priorities and where the challenges are found. Please fill out this 6-minute survey and help direct our activities and focus:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K7CPM6P
Look up for upcoming events that the CEIU Ontario Regional Women’s Committee will be hosting in the future. Please save the date for the evening of April 7, 2021 (an announcement is coming soon)!
In solidarity,
CEIU Ontario Regional Women’s Committee
Kaila, Julie, Sarah, Corrina, Clara, Lynda, Lesley and Paula
ceiu581.com 