PSAC North in the News

By Jack Bourassa, PSAC North Regional Executive Vice President As published in the Yellowknifer, June 2015

(Originally posted at www.unw.ca) Yellowknife, NT (October 20, 2014) – More than 60 delegates gathered in Yellowknife October 17 to 19 for the 16th Triennial Convention of the Union of Northern Workers under the conference theme, Building Solidarity Through Representation. 

Every employee should have the right to feel safe when they go to work every day.That’s why the Safety Advisory Committee helped draft better language to protect workers with new Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.But the draft regulations have been collecting dust on the desks of both territorial ministers since 2011, and every year more workers die on the job because of it.

Speaking to Yukon business leaders Wednesday, federal NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair provided a vision of Canada where regulations are clear and consistent. He also portrayed a country where the federal government and First Nations work together and everyone –­ including large corporations – pay their fair share of taxes. Mulcair addressed members of the Yukon and Whitehorse chambers of commerce during a luncheon in the Town Hall room of the Gold Rush Inn.

MPs To Rewrite Union Code Labour leaders are bracing for final Commons debate on a Canada Labour Code bill that would see unions decertified on the votes of 40 percent of members. MPs are expected to give Third Reading to the private Conservative bill endorsed by the labour department.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada North is proud to welcome its newest members, hailing from the municipality of Sanikiluaq.    PSAC's 44 new members join the organization after running a successful and diplomatic organizing campaign in their workplace.   "It is with great pleasure that we welcome each and every one of our newest members into the Public Service Alliance of Canada with open arms," said Julie Docherty, PSAC Regional Executive Vice President for the North.  

We came, we marched together, we bellowed loud and clear, and we made a difference.  The PSAC's Political Action Symposium was a busy week for everyone, chock-full of new concepts and ideas about how to drive home the message of job cuts and the increasing toll the Conservative government is having on Canadian workers. It was also a week that helped prepare our members by offering them the tools they'll need to launch campaigns, begin petition drives and take on letter-writing campaigns to local poloticians.

The North stood loud and proud to defend the rights of federal Statistics Canada workers in Ottawa this Valentine's Day. At a special rally held in front of the Stats Can headquarters, PSAC Regional Executive Vice President Julie Docherty made a rousing speech in support of Statistical Survey Operations (SSO)* workers. For over two years workers have been without a new contract with SSO. SSO has refused to address any of the key issues that they’ve raised in negotiations. Instead, SSO has engaged in legal obstructionism to avoid solving real workplace problems.

Here's a summary of the key points you as members should take away from the Conservative government's 2014 budget. The Conservative government has failed once again to promote a positive vision for Canada by investing in the future. Harper and Flaherty continue to promote shortsighted policies designed to foster its reelection.They are not focused on investing in Canada.Real change that improves the lives of all Canadians is being held back despite our ability to strengthen public services.

Canadian veterans took to CTV News on Tuesday to lash out at the federal governemnt for its do-nothing budget, which did not make plans to re-open closed Veterans Affairs offices, instead making small adjustments to the amount of money the families of veterans received for their funerals, among other minor tweaks. Listen to their frustration here.