Jackie Nettleton
Saskatoon and District Area Council
The Saskatoon Area Council participates with the wider labour movement and the community. There are a few core things that we do every year.
We attend the Day of Mourning Ceremony for workers killed due to their work and lay a wreath.
We participate in the Labour Day BBQ that is organized by the Saskatoon and District Labour Council (SDLC). Several PSAC members volunteer and the Area Council has a table (and since last fall a tent!) where we hand out information and swag to the adults and balloons for the kids.
We usually participate in the Public Service Appreciation Week activities but since PSAC has encouraged members to boycott this in recent years we have instead asked locals to put events on for their members and asked them to ignore the employers’ activities.
We have a very nice rainbow flag that we march behind at the Saskatoon Pride Parade and we hand out temporary rainbow tattoos to the children.
We have a seat on the GCWCC committee in Saskatoon and we budget $100 in Ten Thousand Villages gift cards to the worksite with our members that has the highest participation rate.
We attend the Saskatoon Remembrance Day Ceremony and lay a wreath on behalf of the PSAC.
Along with the Saskatoon Regional Women’s Committee we host a seasonal open house in December for our members and guests from the SDLC.
Apart from our core activities we also participate in other things as the need or opportunity arises. In June 2015 we were part of a Public Service Appreciation Day with several other public sector unions (CUPE, Firefighters etc.) that was held in Rotary Park.
Prior to the last federal election, as part of our Days of Action, we held a noon hour rally in front of the federal building downtown where we handed out pizza and juice. We had guest speakers such as the president of CAPE (Canadian Association of Professional Employees) and a candidate for the election.
Prior to the last provincial election we held a pancake breakfast at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm and Zoo so our members could bring their families and meet local candidates. Most of the Saskatoon candidates were able to come and speak to us.
We have lobbied MPs with issues concerning PSAC members such as sick leave. However, the last government made this difficult as each Conservative MP would meet only with their own constituents and not just a representative of the AC.
Other years we have participated in the United Way Day of Caring where people volunteer a day to one of the United Way agencies such as Services for Seniors or the YWCA daycare. We have also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in housebuilding. The more people we have the more we can do.
The Area Council operates primarily by consensus and all members are welcome to attend and participate in meetings. We welcome the participation and ideas of all members. Our minutes and meeting announcements are posted on the PSAC website.
In solidarity,
Jackie Nettleton
PRC Rep.
Saskatoon and District Area Council