Thousands of PSAC members, and many non-members, across the country received a personalized e-mail message from PSAC National President John Gordon. A number of members in my region have contacted me and have interpreted John's email as an announcement that the member has been declared affected. This is not the case. The email was sent to all members and non-members who have subscribed to PSAC email mailing lists.
While the PSAC gets lists of affected members from federal departments a short time before the employer notifies it's employees directly, we have not and will not communicate that information either publicly to the media or privately to the affected members.
We are embargoing this information for a number of reasons, including:
- The lists we receive in advance sometimes, but not always include names, as well as positions;
- The lists we receive are not always accurate, and may change when notices are issued to our members;
- It is the responsibility of the employer to advise it's workers that they are affected.
Brother Gordon's email message was a generic e-mail, it is advising members what to do if they receive an "affected notice". It should not be interpreted or understood as being an indication that the recipient is "affected"
If you are in the Prairie Region and receive a letter/email from your employer advising you that you are an affected or a surplus/opting employee and you need advice from your union you can contact your Component or PSAC Regional Office. You can also email me directly.
In Solidarity,
Robyn Benson
Regional Executive Vice-President
Public Service Alliance of Canada, Prairies