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Regional Seminar – Saskatchewan and Manitoba

The Manitoba and Saskatchewan Regional Teams invite you to participate in the Regional Seminar scheduled to take place at the Delta Regina Hotel on May 3 – 5, 2019.

This event will offer presentations and workshop training that will give you the knowledge and confidence to help your members. It’s also a great place to meet active members just like you and forge long-lasting friendships.

For a sneak-peek at what else we have in store for you, check out the seminar agenda.

The Union of National Employees will fund the following delegates per local:

  • A Local President or designate should be one of the delegates;
  • A member who has not previously attended a seminar should be given priority;
  • Locals will elect a youth delegate to attend the regional seminar (age 35 or younger as of December 31, 2020).

Locals are required to encourage the participation of equity members. Locals may send additional members at their own expense.

For information on travel, accommodation, accessibility and assistance for persons with disabilities, please consult the cheat sheet.

You must register by Friday, April 19, 2019. Unfortunately, we will not consider late registrations.

Should you have any questions about the Seminar please contact suzanne.boucher@une-sen.org.

Delegates to the Regional Seminar should arrive for Registration at 7:00p.m. Friday evening, May 3, 2019. Accommodations will be arranged for delegates to spend two nights at the Delta Regina Hotel for the Friday, and Saturday night of the Seminar as activities are scheduled to take place into the evenings. The Seminar ends on Sunday, May 5 at 1:00p.m.

Click here to register online.

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Local Presidents’ Conference – That’s a Wrap

The UNE would like to thank all 180 members who came out for this years’ UNE Local Presidents’ Conference.

Over the weekend, participants heard from an impressive lineup of guest speakers, engaged in panel discussions and gathered together in employer and regional caucuses.

On Friday, Maple Creek Saskatchewan’s Omar Murray gave a powerful review of the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919. CLC’s Larry Rousseau then fired the group up even more before they headed out in bus loads to the Prime Minister’s Office with messages of support for our bargaining teams, dismay at the Phoenix debacle and solidarity with Indigenous Canadians cheering on Bill C-262.

Upon return from the rally, the crowd heard from NDP Member of Parliament, Ms. Ruth Ellen Brosseau who spoke of her rise in politics and how she challenges the current Liberal government. Then it was off to workshops within employer groups before ending a busy first full day.

Saturday kicked off with regional caucuses and then a presentation by Mr. Alexandre St-Jean from the Office of the Ombudsman, Ethics and Conflict Resolution at Treasury Board. A panel discussion on Duty to Accommodate with UNE National Labour Relations Officers then capped off the morning.

In the afternoon, participants worked in smaller groups to learn about challenges, experiences and tools available to them as Local Presidents.

Sunday morning, attendees heard from the five National Equity Representatives for Human Rights on their personal experiences and the importance of inclusion at the local, regional and national levels.

UNE National President Kevin King closed out the conference.

Resources from the Conference are available on the UNE website at www.une-sen.org/events/conferences.

The component now turns its event focus to a series of Regional Seminars and the upcoming Women’s Conference scheduled for September 10-12, 2019.

 

Resources:

Winnipeg General Strike CBC Documentary (English only)
https://youtu.be/V1_oKcXn8vs

E-Petition for Parks Canada Historical Artifacts – https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-2048

Ms. Ruth Ellen Brosseau,  MP for Berthier-Maskinongé (Quebec)
https://www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/Ruth-Ellen-Brosseau(71357)

Larry Rousseau, Executive Vice-President, CLC
http://canadianlabour.ca/about-clc/our-officers/larry-rousseau-executive-vice-president

Photos from the Conference are available on the UNE Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Union.NE.Syndicat.EN/

And Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/une.sen/

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2019 Local Presidents’ Conference

Members of the UNE Family,

The UNE 2019 Local Presidents’ Conference is just a few short months away! Local Presidents are invited to join us in Gatineau, QC, from March 21 – 24 for an exciting chance to gather with other Union activists and discuss current issues facing our Union.

We ask that UNE Local Presidents register online by Friday, February 8, 2019.

Your Local’s participation is very important. If you are unable to attend, we encourage you to designate another member of your Local Executive to attend the Conference.

If you are unable to register, please contact Suzanne Boucher at 613-560-4359 or at suzanne.boucher@une-sen.org.

There will be more information circulated in the New Year, but don’t hesitate to check the UNE website over the next few months for the latest updates.

In solidarity,

Kevin King
UNE National President

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Recap of the 2018 UNE Occupational Health and Safety Conference

The UNE 2018 Occupational Health and Safety Conference was a huge success!

Delegates from coast to coast to coast gathered in the National Capital Region (NCR) from October 25-28 to learn about and discuss current health and safety issues. They had the opportunity to listen to insightful presentations by health and safety experts and had the chance to exchange and share their experiences by attending workshops and asking questions during the plenary sessions.

Mental health was at the heart of the Conference. Whether it was about awareness, psychosocial hazards, barriers, workplace programs, members of our Union family learned tools and strategies to tackle this issue, individually and as a Union team. Emotional exhaustion and burnout may still be taboo in some workplaces, but workers are becoming more vocal about it. Mental health is as important as physical health and employers, working in partnership with union representatives, ought to have mental health policies and support programs in place. The new legislation amending the Canada Labour Code (CLC) to address harassment and violence for federally regulated workers, also known as Bill C-65, was extensively discussed during the plenary sessions as well.

Mental Health and Wellness, Stress Management and New Member Integration Strategies, Knowing Your Rights and Responsibilities: The Canada Labour Code were some the topics of the workshops that took place on the second day of the Conference. Delegates also had the chance to attend a couple of mindful meditations sessions offered by UNE Regional Vice-President for Manitoba, Christopher Little-Gagné.

UNE National President Kevin King, who received the service award for long-term officers of the PSAC for 25 years of PSAC activism addressed the delegates and PSAC National President Chris Aylward delivered an inspiring speech reminding the audience of the importance of addressing mental health in the workplace.

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2018 PSAC National Young Worker Forum

The Alliance Executive Committee (AEC) has approved a one-time National Young Worker Forum to be held in Ottawa from December 7 to 9, 2018.

This forum is an opportunity for a limited number of young workers (age 35 or under) to participate in a dynamic weekend of networking and planning for the 2019-2021 cycle. The goal is to focus on building more young worker committees, strengthening those that exist and having a plan for their ongoing success.

The objectives of the Forum are to:

  • Discuss, strategize and plan to grow strong and vibrant regional young worker committees;
  •  Network and share experiences and successes;
  • ldentify ways in which young workers can engage in PSAC issues and
    campaigns in the next cycle;
  • Build a network the supports young worker initiatives across the country;
  • ldentify tools and resources that will ensure success; and
  • Engage in workshops that challenge and inspire.

Young workers who are interested in attending the PSAC Young Workers Forum should contact their respective PSAC REVP’s office for more information on the selection process and deadline to apply.

In solidarity,

Chris Aylward
National President, PSAC

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October 4, 2018: Sisters in Spirit Vigils


This is an invitation to celebrate, honour and support Indigenous women, girls and their families on October 4 by attending or holding a Sisters In Spirit Vigil.

The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) began drawing attention to the issue of violence against Indigenous women in 2005. They assembled a database on 582 missing and murdered women and girls. This year will be the 13th annual Sisters In Spirit Vigils across the country.

‘’Each year, family members, Indigenous community members, and supports gather on October 4th at Parliament Hill and across the country. We gather to honour our sisters and their families who have been impacted by violence.’’

A vigil can take many forms, from a moment of silence, to a rally, to a community feast. All that is important is that you take some time on or around October 4 to mark the day.

In response to numerous calls for action from organizations such as NWAC and the Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA), the Government of Canada launched an entirely independent National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) in September 2016.

PSAC also demands justice for Indigenous women and girls. “This government must ensure that the Inquiry leads to justice and healing for all affected by this ongoing tragedy,” said Magali Picard, PSAC National Executive Vice-President. “Indigenous women and girls, and their families, deserve answers. They deserve justice.’’

“Indigenous women are loved and valued. However, statistics on murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls show that they are in danger. How can we, as a society, keep them safe? Two questions from and Indigenous woman who spoke at a supportive gathering several years ago still resonate: “Will you hear me? Will you believe me?’’ declares UNE National Equity Representative for Aboriginal Peoples Ruby Langan.

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Parks National Bargaining Conference

PSAC’s Parks Canada met last week in Ottawa for a three-day bargaining conference. Members from across the country gathered from September 25 to 27 in order to prepare for upcoming negotiations for a new collective agreement.

Throughout the conference, the delegates:
• learned about the collective bargaining process,
• reviewed bargaining proposals and discuss priorities,
• developed mobilization strategies, and
• elected their bargaining team members.

The new bargaining team. First row, from left to right: Omar Murray (Local 40340 – Parks Canada – Saskatchewan South, SK); Loretta Moar (Local 50110 – Riding Mountain National Park, MB); Kassandra McKinnon (Local 90023 – Parks Canada Employees); Angela Decker (Local 90265 – Gros Morne National Park, NL); Birch Howard (alternate) (Local Y0104 – Kluane National Park, YT). Second row, from left to right: UCTE member Daniel Britton; UCTE member Réginal Bernatchez (alternate); Daniel Toutant (Local 10269 – Mauricie National Park and Forges du Saint-Maurice National Historic Site, QC); Marc Phillips (Local 70501 – Parks Canada Agency (Gatineau), NCR); André Miller (alternate) (Local 70501 – Parks Canada Agency (Gatineau), NCR); Mike LeBlanc (alternate) (Local 60284 – Kouchibouguac National Park, NB)

Parks Canada members signed their most recent agreement on May 31, 2018. The four-year collective agreement, which expired August 4, 2018, includes an updated definition of ‘family’, improved leave provisions, improved member protections, unchanged sick leave, and monetary compensation for members.

Stay up to date with bargaining news by visiting the PSAC Parks Canada bargaining webpage, or sign up to receive PSAC e-News.

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Park Wardens attending the 2018 Canadian Police and Peace Officers Memorial Service

First row from left to right: Kelly Forbes (Local 00041 – Bruce Peninsula); Anika Hodgson (Local 30116 – Elk Island); Sharon Woods (Local 20106 – Mount Revelstoke); Tanya Dowdall (Local 29266 – Pacific Rim); Courtney Bearinger (Local 30402 – Lake Louise)
Second row from left to right: Birch Howard (Local Y0104 – Kluane); Jonathan Jansen (Local 00238 – Georgian Bay); Erin Munk (Local 50110 – Riding Mountain); Jordan Morrison (Local 00041 – Bruce Peninsula)

Nine park wardens participated in the 2018 Canadian Police and Peace Officers Memorial Service on September 30. Sharon Woods, Tanya Dowdall, Courtney Bearinger, Kelly Forbes, Anika Hodgson, Birch Howard, Jonathan Jansen, Jordan Morrison and Erin Munk proudly marched and took part in the service on Parliament Hill to honour fallen police officers. UNE National President Kevin King also attended the service.

The last Sunday of September of every year was declared as the Police and Peace Officers’ National Memorial Day in 1998 by the Canadian Government.
Park Warden Sharon Woods read the names of the six fallen police officers who died in the line of duty, to be added to the memorial wall.

The UNE is proud to represent law enforcement personnel working at Parks Canada and for the Parliamentary Protective Services (PPS).

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Labour Day Activities 2018

Labour Day will be on September 3, a time to celebrate workers, unions and Labour organizations in Canada.

This year’s theme is Pharmacare: A Plan for Everyone, and it is the opportunity to discuss the importance and the urgency of implementing a national pharmacare program with union members and the public.

Labour Councils are organizing events across the country and UNE members are invited to attend them.

Happy Labour Day!

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The Capital Pride Parade: PSAC members marching!

The Ottawa Capital Pride Parade is August 26, and PSAC, in partnership with CAPE and PIPSC, will be participating in the parade. We need you to come and march with us! We will have a truck that needs to be decorated and we need your help. If you’re interested in walking with us, can help us decorate, or require more information, please contact NCRpride_fierteRCN@psac-afpc.com.

Volunteers will meet at 233 Gilmour at 10am to prepare. PIPSC will provide a small breakfast.

If you are just marching with us, based on last year’s experience, we should be located on Bank Street between Argyle and McLeod. The parade starts at 1:30pm so join us at 1pm. Look for PSAC and PIPSC flags to find us!

Event Details: August 26, 2018, 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, Ottawa, ON