Celebrating Aboriginal Day 2008
In 1996, the Parliment of Canada proclaimed June 21st as National Aboriginal People's Day. This day is an opportunity for the Public Service Alliance of Canada to express solidarity with Aboriginal Peoples and support the call for a better life for all Aboriginal Peoples across Canada. It is also an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the contribution Aboriginal people make within our communities and Union.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada and Union of Northern Workers sponsored their annual Pancake Breakfast in celebration of Aboriginal Day on June 21st at the Elks Club in Yellowknife. The breakfast was well attended, and bandanas were distributed to the crowd.
Sandra Lockhart and Mercie Kaoloak - NWT National Aboriginal, Inuit, and Metis Committee
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Media Release: Ratification of Government of Nunavut collective agreement
The Public Service Alliance of Canada is pleased to announce the successful ratification of Government of Nunavut employee’s collective agreement. Members of the Nunavut Employee’s Union collective bargaining team voted 88% in favor of ratifying their new collective agreement, ending a lengthy 18 month long bargaining process.
Highlights of the new Government of Nunavut collective agreement include new provisions for:
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Nineteen percent (19%) compounded increase to rates of pay over the life of the agreement
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A five percent (5%) increase per annum for the Nunavut Northern Allowance and an MOU to work on a new formula that will reflect the costs of living in Nunavut
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Significant retention and recruitment allowance for front-line nurses
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The inclusion of a new Continuous Service Bonus
“This new collective agreement forms a renewed relationship between the Nunavut Employees Union and the Government of Nunavut”, says Nunavut Employees Union President, Doug Workman. “On behalf of our Executive, we appreciate the support of our membership and the commitment of our negotiating team with new terms and conditions that will hopefully retain and recruit the necessary workers who deliver the vital public service on behalf of the Government of Nunavut”.
“This has been the end of a very long saga with the Government of Nunavut, and puts a conclusion for now on a long, drawn out round of bargaining”, says Jean-Francois Des Lauriers, Regional Executive Vice President of the Public Alliance of Canada North. “We are glad that our members now have a contract, and we will be working with them over the next few years on any other issues that need to be resolved”.
The Nunavut Employees Union and the Government of Nunavut are currently working on finding a date for signing the new agreement.
PSAC North 4th Triennial Convention
The Public Service Allianceof Canada North held a 4th Triennial Convention in Yellowknifefrom May 30th – June 1, 2008. Elections for Regional Executive Vice-President, Alternate Regional Executive Vice President, and Territorial Directors were held during this time.
Jean-Francois Des Lauriers won the majority of votes for the position of PSAC Regional Executive Vice President, which will make this Jean-Francois Des Lauriers’ 5th term as Regional Executive Vice President for PSAC North.
Coleman Nyathi was acclaimed to the position of PSAC Alternate Regional Executive Vice President.
Delegates also voted in three territorial directors: Mike Nugent for Yukon, Bill Daltonfor Northwest Territories, and Hannah Uniuqsaraq for Nunavut.
John Gordon, PSAC National President, spoke to delegates on June 1st about the importance of preserving quality public services, and the threat to public services in the North due to budget cuts from the territorial government.
Convention workshops included the PSAC Social Justice Fund and Defending Quality Public Services. Workshops were particularly relevent for 2 rallies that delegates participated in during convention. On May 29th, approximately 120 delegates joined the Dene Nation in their march for the National Day of Action, providing solidarity in the fight against poverty experienced by Aboriginal peoples in Canada. On May 30th, convention delegates marched from the Explorer Hotel to the Legislative Assembly in a ‘Stop the Cuts’ rally, in protest of the territorial government’s unecessary budget cuts. Delegates briefly attended Legislative Assembly proceedings after the rally. “The PSAC North convention was particularly timely with some of the immediate challenges we are facing right now in the North, such as Aboriginal poverty and threats to quality public services”, said Jean-Francois Des Lauriers, PSAC Regional Executive Vice President. “Convention delegates had the opportunity to put their learning into action by participating in workshops, then actively raising their voice together on the issues at hand”.
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PSAC members elected to Northern Territories Federation of Labour executive
The Public Service Alliance of Canada North is pleased to announce the election of PSAC candidates to the executive committee and executive council of the Northern Territories Federation of Labour on June 2, 2008.
Two PSAC candidates were elected for territorial Vice Presidents. Sonja Boucher was elected Vice President for the Northwest Territories, and Geoff Ryan was elected as Vice President for Nunavut. "Now is the time, more than ever before, to come together and stand in solidarity" says Boucher. "We face so many common issues as Labour - from privatization, downsizing, poverty, discrimination, and the decreasing quality of our public services. Our common struggles should unite us as workers in the NWT. I look forward to working with all members over the next 3 years".
Wes Smith, also a PSAC candidate, was elected as secretary for the executive committee.
Five of the six Regional Vice Presidents that have been elected to the executive council were PSAC candidates. Sheila Sauteur-Chadwick was elected Regional Vice President for Dehcho/South Slave; Dudley Johnson was elected Regional Vice President for Sahtu/Inuvik; Jennifer Corporon was elected Regional Vice President for Kitikmeot; Agnes Poksiak-Turner was elected Regional Vice President for Kivalliq; and John Vander Velde was elected Regional Vice President for Qikiqtani.
Jean-Francois Des Lauriers extends his congratulations to the newly appointed PSAC members of the Northern Territories Federation of Labour executive.
PSAC North Think Public Video Challenge
Think Public!
FVideo Challenge General Rules
The challenge was launched at the PSAC North 4th Triennial Convention, on Friday, May 30th, 2008
This is an opportunity for YOU to tell US what “think public” means!
The Challenge opens 12:00 p.m., Friday, May 30th, 2008 – entries will not be accepted prior to this date.
General Rules for Participation:
1. The video entry must be 60 seconds or less in length.
2. Entry must be a positive “think public” message.
3. Deadline for entries is to be announced.
4. Entry must be submitted from a PSAC North member in good standing, but we encourage the involvement of family and friends in the production of the video.
5. Be as creative or simple as you want, but keep it clean folks!
6. Who can watch the video? Anyone! That’s right: market your video far & wide.
Be creative and have fun!
Govt of Nunavut Ratification Calendar
To view Govt of Nunavut Ratification Calendar, please click here.
PSAC North 4th Triennial Convention
New - Attendance list for the 2008 PSAC North Triennial Convention. Click the document below to view the list. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Kim at baileyk@psac.com or by calling 867-669-0991.
 Convention_ParticipantsMay27-08.pdf
Northwest Territories- News and Updates
Click here for the latest news from Northwest Territories.
Yukon - News and Updates
Click here for the latest news from the Yukon.
Nunavut - News and Updates
Click here for the latest news from Nunavut. New updates: Hamlet of Arviat ratifies new Agreement; Government of Nunavut Strike Preparation Training.
REMINDER - CALL FOR RESOLUTIONS FOR THE REGIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY CONFERENCE
Please click the document below for details. Deadline for sumbission is April 25, 2008.
Revised_call_for_HS_resolutions.pdf
Nunavut Government Employees Vote For Strike
For immediate release
March 30, 2008 Iqaluit
Employees of the Nunavut Government voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action in their continuing struggle to achieve a reasonable collective agreement. The vote was held between March 3 to 30, 2008 among the Government’s 2000 employees. Those workers are members of the Nunavut Employees Union (NEU), a Component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) who voted 90% in favour of giving a strike mandate to their union. For more information, please click 'Nunavut Strike Vote 30 03' below.
Upcoming Mining Discussion in Whitehorse
Two Social Justice discussions on Mining in Guatemala and Yukon Territory. Interested in more info, click here.
TB and Parks Mobilizing - Yukon
A representative from all Treasury Board and Parks locals in the Yukon is invited to attend a Mobiliztion Meeting on April 10th. More info, click here.
Harper's Pizza Party
March 07 2008
PRESS RELEASE
Members of the PSAC and other Labour organizations demonstrate to show opposition to the Harper’s governments continued slicing of essential services and programs
Yellowknife, NWT - Join the Public Service Allianceof Canada, Unionof Northern Workers and the Northern TerritoriesFederation of Labour
for a Slice of pizza at Noonat the DND building on Monday March 10, 2008
Come show your opposition to the Harper government’s continued slicing away of programs and services to the NWT and working Canadians. Jean-Francois Des Lauriers, Regional Executive Vice President of the PSAC says “ Stephen “the slice” Harper” does not have concern for Northerners or working families across Canada. His governments continued cuts to programs and services that benefit the poor and working families only benefit corporations and friends of the Conservatives”.
Placards, leaflets, slogans, and a slice of Pizza will be provided at this information picket.
For further info please contact:
Jean Francois Des Lauriers --- PSAC North REVP @ 867-765-8937
Barb Wyness --- Unionof Northern Workers@ 867-873-5668
Mary Lou Cherwaty --- President Northern TerritoriesFederation of Labour @ 867-445-9797
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Press Release - Minuscule Increase to Northern Residents Tax Deduction: an Insult
Click the document below to read release.
 NRTD.doc
Cut the Tories, Not the Programs
Feb 18, 2008
Vic Toews, President of Treasury Board, was greeted by a group of 15 activists in Whitehorse on February 18, 2008 outside the Westmark Hotel...read more, click here.
Media Release - Sodexho Workers at Ekati Join PSAC/UNW
MEDIA RELEASE
Friday, February 15, 2008
Yellowknife, NT....Workers providing valuable kitchen and custodial services at BHP Billiton Ekati Diamond Mine have chosen the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and its component Union of Northern Workers (UNW) as their bargaining agent. Click here to read more.
News Release - January 24, 2008 - The planned cuts of Floyd Roland
Click here to view the Press Release.
NT AREA COUNCIL AGM - JANUARY 27, 2008
Click here to be taken to the NT Area Council page for more information.
Project 2 Front Teeth a Success!
The Regional Youth Committee put out the call, and the citizens of Whitehorse answered! Orgainzers set a goal of 240 gift donations - they received close to 300. More info...
BHP Billiton - CONTRACT RATIFIED!
BHP Billiton - Tentative Agreement was ratified. **NEW** click here for further information.
Unionized Ekati Diamond Mine workers ratify 4-year collective agreement with BHP Billiton
Click here for the Press Relase.
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PSAC North 4th Triennial Convention - United for Action
Click here to find information on the PSAC North 4th Triennial Convention to be held in Yellowknife from May 30 - June 1, 2008.
UPDATED April 10, 2008
PSAC Conference Schedule
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| Aboriginal - Winnipeg |
September 2008 |
Education Schedule
The Education Schedule has been transferred to the Education page in order to clean up the home page. For quick reference, please click here.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Click here for information on links to the BRUSH Committee of the PSAC BC region.
No Cuts!
Visit nocuts.ca for information on the UNWs campaign to save our public services.
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