By now all PSAC members in the Prairie Region should have received a newsletter in the mail from containing important updates from your union and upcoming events. This information went out to over 20,000 members across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. A similar flyer was sent out last year and was appreciated by members.
Please discuss this information with other members in your Local to ensure everyone has the latest updates and information and is able to participate in these important activities if they choose to.
The information from the newsletter can be found below on this page, and the original newsletter is attached below in PDF format in two different sizes: 11x17 as it was printed and 8.5x11 to allow for easier printing and posting to union boards.
Webinar Wednesdays
Since January, we’ve been hosting monthly, interactive webinars as an outlet for members to learn about critical issues and get important updates. It’s also an opportunity to ask questions and give feedback.
The webinars are held on the second Wednesday of every month and feature different guest speakers.
We’ve already held two events on the topics of bargaining and pensions. Participants have really enjoyed this easy and convenient way to learn about important issues and engage with their union. You can view past webinars on the Prairies website.
Check out the schedule for upcoming webinars below and register at prairies.psac.com
Childcare: Our Vision for Tomorrow, March 11
Don’t have kids? Doesn’t matter! Access to quality, affordable childcare affects everyone. Find out why.
Let’s Get Political, April 8
A federal election is looming, find out how to exercise your political rights while protecting your job.
Turn Back Time, May 13
Not just for history buffs! A look back at labour history, the origins of your union, and what we’re fighting to hold on to.
Health & Safety Solutions, June 10
Bill C-4 changed workplace health and safety as we know it. Learn about your rights under the Code and provincially.
Multi-Local Meetings
The PSAC Prairie Region is holding another round of multi-local meetings throughout the region to update members on bargaining issues, our continued fight for sick leave, the upcoming federal election, and more.
Multi-local meetings were last held in the spring of 2014 and were very successful. Nearly 400 members attended 20 different meetings held in nine locations to hear updates from leadership and bargaining team members and ask questions.
A general meeting schedule has been provided, however, because some dates and/or locations have not yet been confirmed, check the Prairies website for the most up to date information closer to the meeting.
- Winnipeg - April 1
- Edmonton - April 7-8
- Southern Alberta (Calgary, Lethbridge & Medicine Hat) -
- April 13-15
- Saskatchewan meetings will be held during the week of May 4-8, specific dates to be announced.
Contact your regional office for more information about these meetings or to confirm time and location.
Telephone Town Hall
Our next telephone town hall will be held on Monday, March 16 at 7:00 p.m. (MB) / 6:00 p.m. (SK/AB).
PSAC National President Robyn Benson and Prairies REVP Marianne Hladun will give members an update on sick leave and bargaining and answer questions.
This telephone town hall is specific to Treasury Board bargaining and will only be offered to members employed by Treasury Board. All you have to do is answer the phone when we call to be automatically connected. If for some reason you haven’t received a call within the first five minutes, please use the following coordinates to join:
Toll-Free: 1-877-229-8493
ID Number: 112560
We recognize our many members outside of Treasury Board and will hold a special webinar for those members at a later date to touch on bargaining issues specific to those groups.
Following this event, we plan to host quarterly telephone town halls for all members on various issues. More information will be shared as it becomes available.
19th Day of Action
The next federal election is scheduled for October 19, 2015. This will be a monumental election for PSAC members, the entire labour movement and all Canadians. The outcome will have a lasting impact on this country, especially if the blatantly anti-worker, anti-labour Conservative government is re-elected.
To act as a reminder of this, we are calling on members to mark the 19th of each month with actions in their workplaces and locals. These actions are meant to be a monthly reminder of the destructive policies and reckless cuts of the Conservative government. Actions also demonstrate solidarity and support for PSAC bargaining teams and will continue up until the 2015 federal election.
This is an initiative locals are embracing from coast to coast to coast and planning exciting and effective ways to get the message out. You can take part by organizing a rally or BBQ over the lunch hour, holding a demonstration at an MP’s office, having an informational picket or plantgate outside the workplace, creating a song or video or artistic message, sending letters to your MP, collectively wearing buttons, bracelets or arm bands, or anything else you can come up with. The sky is the limit! Be creative and have fun!
March 19 will be a major, cross-country event, with many of the National Joint Council unions committing to participate and stand together for healthy workplaces. We’re taking a stand against a government and employer that has contributed to our toxic workplaces and, to make matters worse, is now proposing a “go to work sick” plan.
Together, our unions are proposing measures to fix the toxic workplaces that contribute to illness and mental health issues. We are also identifying the gaps where public service employees no longer have the tools and resources they need to serve Canadians. Let’s demonstrate the solidarity and strength of PSAC.
Show your support on March 19th!
- Calgary
Rally outside the Harry Hays Building (220 4th Ave. SE) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Edmonton
Rally at 9806 Jasper Ave. (one block from Canada Place) from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Winnipeg
Rally outside Union Station (123 Main St.) from 12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Saskatoon
Rally outside the Federal Building (101-22nd St. E) from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Regina
Rally outside the Alvin Hamilton Building (1783 Hamilton St.) from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
About Us
The Public Service Alliance of Canada represents more than 170,000 workers in every province and territory in Canada, including 8,000 in Manitoba, over 4,000 in Saskatchewan, and more than 9,000 in Alberta.
Our members work for federal government departments and agencies, Crown Corporations, universities, casinos, community services agencies, Aboriginal communities, airports, and the security sector among others.
PSAC is headquartered in Ottawa with 23 regional offices across Canada.
Knowledge Is Power
Your union offers ongoing educational courses and events, which cover many different topics and skills, using various tools and methods.
Union education helps members understand their rights and helps us build for the future. It appreciates our past and our present, supports emerging leaders, sparks action for change, and is a safe place to talk about controversial issues.
To view a list of courses currently being offered in your area, visit www.prairies.psac.com/events
You can also contact your regional office for more information about union education.
Connect
There are many ways to connect with your union to ensure you have the news and information you need.
Subscribe to the Prairies e-newsletter by visiting www.prairies.psac.com and filling in the “Receive Our E-Newsletter” form on the homepage.
You can also contact your regional office to ensure you’re on their mailing list to receive updates on courses and other events and actions in your area.
Don’t forget to follow us on your favourite social network:
- Facebook: Public Service Alliance of Canada - Prairie Region
- Twitter: @psacprairies
- Instagram: @psacprairies
- YouTube: PSACprairies
Meet Your REVP
Marianne Hladun, PSAC Prairies Regional Executive Vice-President, will be at all of the multi-local meetings to connect with members and answer their questions. She will also be on the telephone town hall with PSAC National President Robyn Benson.
Remember to follow Marianne on Twitter: @mshladun. You can also contact her office directly by calling 1-855-956-4625 (toll-free).
Recruiting Activists
Interested in political action? Passionate about human rights? Want to learn more about women’s issues? We have committees throughout the region that meet regularly to focus on these issues and do work in our communities.
Area Councils:
Members come together to engage with PSAC campaigns at a political level, lobby their political representatives and raise awareness of issues affecting our members, workers and the Canadian public.
Regional Women’s Committees:
As a focal point for mobilizing women members, the RWCs inform, educate, mobilize, empower and support women through a network that links them to each other, to the union, and to the community.
Human Rights Committees:
Members discuss issues and plan events relating to PSAC’s Aboriginal, PWD, GLBT, and Racially Visible caucus members. We also have an Aboriginal Peoples’ Circle in Northern Saskatchewan.
These member-based structures are the vehicles that directly contribute to our power, effectiveness and relevance as a dynamic union. They embody the spirit of grassroots organizing and membership participation.
Contact your regional office to find out how to get involved.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 Newsletter 11x17 | 571.9 KB |
| Newsletter 8.5x11 | 540.66 KB |