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What's New?
DEFENDING QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICES CAMPAIGN
Check out what's been happening across the Prairies this summer with the DQPS campaign. Our Members have been out talking to the Public about how important Public Services really are to Canadians. From barbeques to the Fringe Festival, we got it all...scroll down for pictures and activity reports.
Edmonton Regional Women's Committee
The Edmonton RWC delivered PSAC's Defending Quality Public Services message to area MP's. This message was sent via balloon bouquets packed with Defending Quality Public Service issue papers. What a great way to get their attention!
Edmonton District Labour Council Labour Day BBQ
PSAC members attended the BBQ for the unemployed and under-employed in our inner city. This year the event drew nearly 5000 people. It is a sign of the growing numbers of working poor who cannot make ends meet. Wages have not increased at the same rate as other living costs such as housing rental rates, that have more than doubled in recent years.
PSAC had an opportunity to talk to people; young and old; single people and families; employed and unemployed. Many of these people rely on our public services. Members handed out Public Services Are Cool campaign material at the BBQ. The fans came in handy as it turned out to be a hot day and the line up for the free BBQ was a long one! The balloons and temporary tattoos were a big hit with both kids and adults alike.
Here is Frank Lloyd filling the PSAC balloons. You can see all the people in the background lining up for the barbeque of hot dogs, hamburgers as well as fresh fruit and juice!
These Sisters are busy trying to keep up with the demand! Nina Kiviluoma (left), Mary Vielleux (center), Ginette Longval (right).
Winnipeg Regional Office
August 20, 2007
Winnipeg, Treasury Board President, MP Vic Toews (center) is seen holding one of our DQPS Fans. Members of the public were interested in what the DQPS campaign is about and were talking to us about the issues. The BBQ was hosted by Steven Fletcher, MP for Charleswood–St James-Assiniboia.
Sister Dale Buck, Manitoba PRC Representative engaged Mr Toews in a debate over the sale of government buildings and expressed concern over the true cost to taxpayers. He responded by saying “that it was a very good thing and the Canadian government was going to make a hefty profit on this sale.”
He showed little concern about the flooding, mould and asbestos problems in the Harry Hays Building in Calgary, the same building where Public Service employees work. Mr Toews said, “it was an issue for the Health Board.”
They discussed quality public services and eliminating the Zones Rate of Pay. Cleaners and hospital employees working for the federal public service deserve to be paid an equal wage. Mr. Toews looked as if he didn’t understand and stated, "that it is a bargaining issue".
Brothers Robert Reimann Jr.(left), and Blair Simpson (center) and Sister Kelly Pendulak (right), Executive Members of the Winnipeg Area Council engaging with the public and explaining our campaign to Defend Quality Public Service and passing out fans.
Regina & District Labour Council Labour Day BBQ
PSAC Members were also on hand to help the District Labour Council out with the hamburgers and hotdogs as well as to give out balloons and tattoos.
The weather was beautiful and many people brought blankets to enjoy the food and the sun.
Here are a few of the wonderful volunteers who came out to set up for the day.
Can't you taste those burgers?
It was a beautiful day and many people took advantage of the DQPS fans that were handed out to help keep them stay 'Cool'.
A great Caribbean band was on hand to liven up the party! It was very lively entertainment!
The Regina Folk Festival
Public Services Are Cool fans, balloons and a pamphlet designed by Sister Carol Casey were handed out to the public. The balloons and tattoos drew in the children, and we handed out fans to the adults.
Sister Deanna Getz, RWC Chair handing out Public Services Are Cool balloons, and tattoos.
PSAC Staff, Sister Barb Fayant (left) and PRC Rep, Brother Bains (right) handing out Public Services Are Cool fans, and balloons at Regina Folk Festival.
Prince Albert Labour Day Barbeque
The BBQ was a big hit. The smokies and hotdogs went over very well and fed around 400 people. The PSAC table was a hit with the children, they loved the balloons. Free draws always draw the crowds in!
The busy volunteers could barely keep up with the balloons. The Mayor, and members of the Police and Fire department also attended the event and plans are in the work for next year to be bigger and better.
Here are the volunteers setting up in Kinsmen Park
Cora Lee Vaillancourt and Judy Fidler getting ready for the crowd of children soon to appear!
Cooking supper under the trees
There was a great turnout and the beautiful weather sure helped!
Present at the barbeque were Brother Andre Paul (left) Prince Albert Area Council President, Sister Shirley Klassen (center) District Labour Council, Sister Darla Laird (right) Canadian Labour Congress
There was even local entertainment at the park for the occasion: Danny and the Boys!
Saskatoon & District Labour Council Annual Labour Day Barbeque
Everywhere you looked, there were crowds of people enjoying the beautiful weather, the food and of course the fans, balloons and tatoos distributed by our PSAC volunteers.
Future PSAC member! She loves the tattoo!
Volunteers Sister Brenda Baergen, Brother Howard Willems and PSAC staff member Sister Heather Longstaff trying to keep up with the request for balloons and tattoos
Sister Marianne Hladun (left) 'tattooing' SFL President Larry Hubich (right) The things people do for the Union!
Sister Brenda Baergen (left) with Sask. Minister of Labour David Forbes (right) showing off his 'cool' tattoo!
Sisters Brenda Baergen and Nancy Johnson of UTE with Nancy's daughter and her friend. These Sisters worked hard filling up balloons and handing out fans.
The Fringe in Saskatoon
A beaufiful day to promote our Public Services!
Brother Gary Farnsworth (left) and Sister Penny Trischuck (right) at the Fringe. The balloons were pretty hot items for the kids and those fans were great for everyone else!
Care to help out? Click here for more info!
No More Zones!
PSAC members who are paid based on where they live, not for the work they do, are speaking out against zone rates of pay and in support of our Union's fight to eliminate the zones. Check out our video or read the text in the video.
Status of Women Canada Fight Back
Update
As the AEC Officer responsible for the Women’s Program, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the important work that PSAC has one on the women’s equality front over the past few months.
The cuts to the Status of Women Canada and the Women’s Program implemented by the Harper government during the fall can only be summed up as a betrayal. Claiming that equality for women has been achieved, the “new government of Canada” eliminated “equality” from the mandate of Status of Women Canada and cut $5 million (43%) from its operating budget. 12 out of 16 regional offices are being closed, and many “national” functions are being eliminated as of March 31, 2007. The majority of the 61 positions being cut are held by PSAC – National Component members. In addition, the Women’s Program (funding to women’s groups) will no longer be providing funding to women’s groups for research and advocacy work – in other words, those who work to document the causes of inequality and advocate for systemic change.
Many elected parliamentarians disagree with the Harper government’s cuts, including the majority of the members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women.
Many women’s groups are up in arms, and rightfully so! On December 10th, a rally was held in Ottawa in front of the Supreme Court and the “protesters” then proceeded up to the “Statue of Five” on Parliament Hill. I was extremely honoured to be asked to speak on behalf of PSAC. I was also invited to a rountable meeting organized by the Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA), where women’s and labour organizations reviewed our priorities and prepared to meet with invited MP’s. It will not surprise you that the Conservatives did not attend. In early January, I also did an interview with respect to the SWC cuts with David Yazbeck for the Ottawa Morning Special Blend radio how.
The PSAC has a page dedicated to Women’s Equality and if you have not had an opportunity to view the page please do so. During the spring, the PSAC will be involved in a campaign with our coalition partners to ensure that Women’s Equality does not fall off the Government’s agenda. Visit the PSAC website for more details. And to send a message of support to our PSAC members working at SWC, you can write to equalityforwomen@psac.com! They would love to hear from you!
Robyn Benson
REVP – Prairie Region
Click here to See Video of December 10th Rally on Parliament Hill
Take Action - Fight Back NOW!
Harper's “New Government of Canada” believes women's equality has been achieved.
So in October 2006, they removed “equality” from the mandate of Status of Women Canada (SWC) and they are cutting Status of Women Canada budgets. These attacks are outrageous.
To find out just what you can do to help fight back, please check out the links below.
In Solidarity
Robyn Benson, REVP - Prairies
http://www.psac.com/issues/womenequality/index-e.shtml
http://www.psac.com/issues/womenequality/20061206e-e.shtml#present
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