With contract negotiations at an impasse and a resolution unlikely before tomorrow evening, more than 100,000 members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) are set to strike beginning Wednesday, April 19.

These are workers from across the public service; cleaners and cooks on military bases, clerks and maintenance workers, tradespeople, Coast Guard search and rescue teams, teachers, firefighters, and workers who process employment insurance, passport applications and immigration documents. In essence, without these workers, Canada does not work.

The employer, the Treasury Board of Canada, has yet to come up with offers that are suitable to the union’s demands. PSAC wants wage increases that keep up with inflation, increased job security, an end to systemic racism in the workplace, enshrining work from home, and no more contracting out and privatizing of public service work.

The PSAC Strike and CUPW

Why should CUPW members care?

The federal government is Canada’s largest employer, with more than 330,000 employees. The standards set at the federal level are a gravitational field that lift or drop the offers of every other employer in the country.

Since the pandemic, wages have not kept pace with inflation, and the only sectors seeing real wage growth are retail and food services, almost entirely low paying and non-union jobs. With 35,000 Canada Revenue Agency employees also ready to strike as tax filings are due, the time is ripe to pressure the feds and for workers to make real gains.

What Can you Do?

What happens with this strike will set a precedent for other federal workers, including us at CUPW. Stand in solidarity with striking PSAC workers and show support by showing up to a picket line. Use the map in the link below to find one nearest you (note that you cannot attend picket lines during your work hours).https://workerscantwait.ca/

In Solidarity,

Roland Schmidt
3rd National Vice-President

Ryan Lum
Union Representative, External Organizing

2019 – 2023 / Bulletin no 450
/es cope 225

 

The National Day of Mourning, held annually on April 28, is dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives or suffered injury or illness at work. This annual event was initiated by the labour movement 38 years ago to increase awareness of on-the-job injuries and fatal workplace accidents. This day of remembrance was officially recognized by the federal government in 1991, more than six years after it was launched by the Canadian Labour Congress in 1985. This year’s theme is “Workers’ Resources, Rights and Victories”.

Although the National Day of Mourning is now recognized in more than 100 countries, including Canada there is still a lot to accomplish in order to improve the safety of workers. In 2021, the latest year for which statistics are available, 1,081 workers were fatally injured at work. The vast majority of them (1,009) were men. In addition to these fatalities, 277,217 lost time claims were granted in Canada.

In 2021, the latest year for which statistics are available, 1,081 workers were fatally injured at work. The vast majority of them (1,009) were men. In addition to these fatalities, 277,217 lost time claims were granted in Canada.

After the last three years during which it was difficult to gather, we finally have a chance to gather in person and reflect together across the country.

For more information on the events across the country, please contact your provincial federation of labour or visit the Canadian Labour Congress webpage:http://www.canadianlabour.ca/

As in previous years, we have asked the Corporation to fly the Canadian flag at half-mast and observe a minute of silence during every shift on April 28. CPC has agreed to this request and has advised us that a national communication regarding the Day of Mourning will be sent shortly to all managers across the country.

On this National Day of Mourning, it is important that, wherever we are, we take the time to remember our brothers, sisters and friends who died, suffered injuries or became disabled at work. We must all commit to continuing the struggle to force employers and governments to fulfill their obligation to make every workplace a safe and healthy one. We must also continue seeking stronger health and safety standards and protection, and better enforcement in our workplaces.

AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL!

In solidarity,

Marc Roussel
National Union Representative
Health and Safety

MR/fc- sepb 225 /scfp1979

April is a busy month for all those who observe a variety of religious holidays. During this month, members of Sikh faith celebrate Vaisakhi (April 13^th), members of Muslim faith celebrate Ramadan (March 22^nd – April 20^th), and members who are Catholics are celebrating Easter (April 9^th).

This month is also known as Sikh Heritage Month. The government of Canada was the first country to officially recognize Sikh Heritage Month in 2019.

  We wish you all a   Happy Easter

 Happy Ramadan,  Happy Vaisakhi 

   In Solidarity,

Anju Parmar, President

lb/CUPE-3338

 

 

 

 

During this election campaign, there have been a number of rumours, inaccuracies and misconceptions about our local and how it operates. Having heard some of these rumours, the Vancouver Local Executive would like to set the record straight so that members are basing their decisions on accurate information.

Rumour: Officers are able to campaign on union paid time

Fact: Officers running for another term are campaigning on their personal time. All of their time off is documented and reviewed by the trustee’s committee.

Rumour: There is only one sole legal representative of CUPW

Fact: CUPW Executives and advocates are the only authorized representatives of the membership. CUPW will also contract outside legal services at a National and Regional level for interpretations of matters relating to the Canada Labour Code, Federal legislation, and other matters of concern to working conditions of Postal Workers

Rumour: The Local is misappropriating funds from the budget

Fact: Local finances are reviewed quarterly by the trustee’s committee, and the finances are audited annually by an outside chartered accountant, Culver & Co. The reports of the trustees and the auditor are shared at the General Membership Meeting for all members to review and ask questions before voting to approve the reports.
Article 9.30 of the National Constitution states-
9.30: The National Office shall prepare and supply an appropriate form for submission of an annual financial report by all Locals, except those using the services of a chartered accountant firm to audit their accounts and submit an annual financial statement.

read more here

The CUPW National Constitution sets the basic dues rate for Urban Operations workers at 300% of the maximum hourly rate for the lowest classification within the bargaining unit.

RSMC dues have been set at 1.71% of the wage portion received by each member, to a monthly maximum equal to the dues for Urban Operation members.

With the current collective agreements, there is a 2% wage increase for the RSMC and Urban Operations bargaining units.

The new maximum monthly deduction for union dues for members of the RSMC bargaining unit effective January 1, 2023 is $90.61.

The Urban Operations new monthly deduction for union dues is $90.61, effective February 1, 2023.

The new monthly deduction for union dues will be collected on pay period 3.
However, since the union dues increase for RSMC was not done on January 1st, union dues arrears will be collected on pay period 6. This is the month when you have 3 pays.

However, since the union dues increase for RSMC was not done on January 1st, union dues arrears will be collected on pay period 6. This is the month when you have 3 pays.

Attached is a chart showing the 2023 basic dues rates as well as the exceptions for those Locals with local assessments.

I trust this information will assist in answering members’ questions about the monthly union dues deduction, which members will observe on their pay statements.

In solidarity,
Beverly Collins National Secretary-Treasurer
2019-2023/ Bulletin no 428
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