Prairies members stand together for sick leave

PSAC members are sick and tired of this government’s disrespect for them and for the vital services that they provide to Canadians. On October 30, 2014, PSAC members throughout the Prairies and across the country held events to speak out against concessions and promote healthier, more productive workplaces that delivers high quality public services.

Alberta

Treasury Board units held a multi-local event at Canada Place in Edmonton during the lunch hour with approximately 100 members in attendance. Stickers, cards and surgical masks were passed around and labour songs were played as members gathered. Murray Pruden, Prairie Region Council Northern Alberta Geographical Rep, welcomed the crowd and introduced guest speaker Kate Hart, PA bargaining team member. Kate lead the crowd in chants and generated excitement about opposing concession bargaining. Following the rally, members marched around Canada Place.

Elsewhere in Alberta, three USGE worksites showed their support for bargaining teams by holding informational pickets on October 30, including members working at Edmonton Institution, Pê Sâkâstêw Centre in Hobbema, and Drumheller Institution.

That same day, members working at Bowden Institution in Innisfail held a solidarity meeting to discuss the importance of sick leave and standing together during the bargaining process, which was attended by nearly 30 members and followed by a march outside the workplace. Members at this worksite had previously held two information pickets, the first in the summer and the second earlier in October. Both events were successful and members are very interested in learning more about protecting sick leave and the ongoing attacks on public services.

Members working at Grande Cache Institution also held a demonstration for healthy workplaces and sick leave for all workers on October 30.

Saskatchewan

Members at the Regional Psychiatric Centre in Saskatoon (USGE Local 40170) got a head start on October 29 when they delivered early morning messages about bargaining and sick leave to employees arriving to work. The next day, members working at Saskatchewan Penitentiary in Prince Albert (USGE Local 40023) were busy getting workers to pledge their support for paid sick leave for federal government workers and for all workers across Canada. Their efforts paid off big, with more than 500 people taking the pledge.

PSAC members in Regina rallied for labour rights at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building during the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour Convention. The rally was held on October 30 and attended by hundreds of labour activists from across Saskatchewan. The message was loud and clear: “We all stand together in solidarity!” Earlier that day, delegates proudly held up PSAC’s “Standing Together for Fairness / Standing Together for Public Services” signs along with “Stop Harper” signs for photos on Convention floor.

USGE members held an informational picket outside the Canada Revenue Agency building on November 5 to show solidarity with CRA members who are still without a collective agreement. The members were in town for USGE local training and held the picket and rally over the lunch hour. Nearly 100 people were in attendance, including members working in the CRA building, other PSAC activists from the Saskatoon area, and members of PIPSC. Members distributed flyers about standing together for sick leave, as well as sick leave stickers. David Neufeld, USGE National Vice-President, and Nancy Johnson, Prairie Region Council Regional Women's Committees Rep, were guest speakers at the rally.

Manitoba

Members working at Stony Mountain Institution (USGE Local 50026) dressed up on October 30 as workers sick on the job. Administrative staff proudly wore the stickers in support of sick leave and all members were happy with the stickers and messaging. USGE locals are organizing future information pickets at worksites throughout Manitoba to continue spreading the word and building momentum.