Updates

Delegates at the 16th PSAC National Triennial Convention elected an entirely new Executive Office to oversee the union's priorities. The changes include the election of Robyn Benson, former Regional Executive Vice-President for the Prairies, as PSAC National President. She succeeds John Gordon, who retired after six years in the role and more than 30 years of union activism.

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.