Prairies on Patrol

Since the release of the federal budget, thousands of PSAC members have received notices from their departments saying they could lose their jobs. Unfortunately, due to the disorganized manner this government discloses the information to PSAC, we don't always know exactly where our members are affected, or how it will impact services to Canadians.

International Workers' Day (May Day) is the commemoration of the 1886 Haymarket Massacre in Chicago, when Chicago police fired on workers during a general strike for the eight hour workday, after an unknown person threw a dynamite bomb at police as they dispersed a public meeting. Several demonstrators and several police officers were killed. May Day was formally recognized as an annual event in 1891.

Hello MP's of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Medicine Hat,There is a unique situation that has developed that involves a group of government employees and their families. I will use the term PFRA (Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration) for clarity purposes, although the name has changed to AESB (Agri-Environment Services Branch).

The PSAC Prairie Region hosted a special Work Force Adjustment Telephone Town Hall held for all Prairies members on April 19, 2012.Of the more than 6,500 people who answered the call live (not including answering machines, no answer, or no connection), 88 per cent (or over 5,700) participated in a portion or all of the 1 hour and 13 minute call.A total of 149 questions were asked, 18 of which we were able to answer live on the call. We also received 70 advance questions and 60 follow-up questions from members, submitted through our online form. We are currently in the process of sorting and answering these questions, and will post responses as they are prepared.The audio from the event is posted below in four parts so that any members who weren't able to connect to the call can still benefit from the discussion.

The letter below was submitted to us on behalf of a PSAC member's wife. The member, a Pasture Manager in Manitoba, received an affected letter, along with all employees on federally owned pastures, and his wife explains how the effects of this government decision are far reaching.

Thank you to everyone who joined the Telephone Town Hall last night to discuss the Work Force Adjustment process. If you have follow-up questions about the WFA process, you can still submit them. You can also let us know how the federal government cuts are affecting you and your workplaces.

On April 11, 2012, 5,561 of our members in 23 departments across the country received notices saying they could lose their jobs. Those included 775 members from the Prairie Region. 

Work Force Adjustment – April NoticesPSAC cannot comment on WFA notices until we can confirm that members have been informed, a process carried out by management. We can confirm that as of April 13, 2012, 7,302 of our members in 31 departments received notices saying they could lose their jobs. Those included 1,043 members from the Prairie Region. The departmental breakdown for the Prairies includes:

This week is a very dark one for many PSAC members across the country. Thousands of members received notices from their departments advising them that they are "affected employees", or worse, under the WFA. In some cases members were advised that the section or organization that they are working for is shutting its doors.