Lethbridge Area Council Special Meeting about Resolutions for 2022 PSAC Triennial (September 14, 2021)

Special Meeting about Resolutions for 2022 PSAC Triennial

Convention

September 14, 2021 Via Zoom

In attendance:  Krysty Thomas (Munns) (30048), President; David Pearson (30048),

Secretary/Treasurer; Sherry Hunt (30048); Danielle Poissant, Southern Alberta Geographical Rep

Regrets:   

Guests: Lindsey Sparks, PSAC Regional Representative

  1. Call to Order  
    1. 7:00pm
  • Resolutions to Review:  
    • Unmarked Burial Sites of Indigenous People
    • Increase EI Provisions for Parental Leave
    • Support For Detox, Rehabilitation and Supervised Consumption Services in

Canada iv. Stop Islamophobic Hate and Violence

v. Gender Bias

  1. A new Whereas added “several gender linguistic gender-coding tools exist online such as Gender Decoder”
    1. The new Whereas was accepted by consensus vi. Stop Anti-Asian Hate and Violence

vii. Union Representation of Early Learning and Care Providers in Canada

b. A motion to submit the resolutions which were review to the National Board of

Directors (NBoD)

  1. Moves/Seconded Sister Poissant/Sister Hunt
    1. Carried
  • Adjournment: 
    • 7:45pm

APPENDIX A:

UNMARKED BURIAL SITES OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE Lethbridge & District Area Council

WHEREAS the ongoing discovery of unmarked burials at Residential Schools across Canada; and

WHEREAS this is only the beginning, as there are many such burials in Canada with many more unmarked burials being discovered since; and

WHEREAS the work of identifying burials occurs in four stages: (1) location of the burial sites, (2) excavation and testing, including DNA analysis and forensic work; (3) re-internment; and (4) commemoration; and

WHEREAS it is important for Indigenous peoples to maintain leadership and oversight in every step of this work,  

BE IT RESOLVED that the PSAC recommits to the implementation of the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation commission, and lobby all levels of government to implement items 71-76 related to Missing Children and Burial Information.

Appendix B:

INCREASE EI PROVISIONS FOR PARENTAL LEAVE  Lethbridge & District Area Council

WHEREAS Parents can choose to receive EI benefits over the current 35 weeks at the existing 55% of their insurable earnings or; parents can opt to receive EI benefits over a 61 weeks period at 33% of their insurable earnings.

WHEREAS many parents cannot afford to live off only 33% of their income. 

WHEREAS This 18 month leave at 33% of income for parents is also not a substitute for a high quality, universally accessible child care system.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT PSAC lobby the federal government to increase EI benefits from 55% to 75% for parents who choose to receive benefits over 35 weeks; and from 33% to 55% for parents who choose to receive benefits over 61 weeks. 

SUPPORT FOR DETOX, REHABILITATION AND SUPERVISED CONSUMPTION SERVICES IN CANADA Lethbridge & District Area Council

WHEREAS there is a real, ongoing, urgent opioid crisis in Canada.

WHEREAS women seeking supervised consumption, detox and rehabilitation services can experience an increased risk, including sexual assault and physical abuse when accessing those services.

WHEREAS there is a threat to the funding of existing and new services provided in Canada by right wing movements, despite recommendations for increasing these services by agencies such as the World Health Organisation (WHO). 

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the PSAC lobby all levels of government for increased funding and support for detox, rehabilitation and supervised consumption services.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the PSAC lobby all levels of government for increased access of detox, rehabilitation and supervised consumption services.

STOP ISLAMOPHOBIC HATE AND VIOLENCE Lethbridge & District Area Council

WHEREAS Five Muslim family members were murdered on June 6, 2021 by a hate motivated killer in London, Ontario, leaving a child hospitalized and orphaned;  

WHEREAS We’ve seen an alarming rise of hate crimes and online radicalization, including a murder last year outside a mosque in Etobicoke;  

WHEREAS Unions must stand in solidarity against racism and hate rooted in white supremacy and xenophobia, and against historical and continued attacks against Black, Indigenous, Muslim, Asian, Jewish and other communities.  

BE IT RESOLVED PSAC will demand the federal government implement legislation aimed at stopping online hate and hate crimes;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that PSAC will demand that all governments declare January 29 as a day of remembrance and action against Islamophobia.

GENDER BIAS  Lethbridge & District Area Council

WHEREAS PSAC has always advocated for gender equality in the workplace and beyond,

WHEREAS gender equality not only encompasses working conditions, family care provisions, employment equity and others but also gender bias and other employment barriers,

WHEREAS gender bias is observed in public service job postings, health care provisions and potentially other systems such as career progression, performance management and competency requirements,

WHEREAS both union members and the employer would benefit from training in the areas of unconscious bias and gender based analysis,

WHEREAS several gender linguistic gender-coding tools exist online such as Gender Decoder 

BE IT RESOLVED THAT  PSAC will develop with the employer a joint learning program course on unconscious bias and gender-based analysis that will encourage the employer to use this valuable tool,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT PSAC utilizes gender-based analysis software when developing job postings and other potentially gender biased documents or guidelines.

STOP ANTI-ASIAN HATE AND VIOLENCE Lethbridge & District Area Council

WHEREAS during the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen an alarming and escalating increase in racism against the Asian community including scapegoating, slurs, targeted attacks, assaults and murders across North America.  

WHEREAS in Canada, we have a documented history of racism and legislated discrimination against Asian Canadians including the Chinese head tax, restrictive immigration laws, segregation, the denial of the right to vote and other basic human rights since the 1800s.

WHEREAS by continuing to allow hate to rise against any racialized group diminishes our labour movement, our communities and Canada.  

BE IT RESOLVED that PSAC acknowledge that anti-Asian racism, as well as the historical and continued attacks against Black, Indigenous and racialized people are rooted in white supremacy, racism and xenophobia and will condemn these racist actions and attacks;  

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that PSAC will support an anti-racist labour movement in our labour organizing through educational and political action, media and public awareness.  

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that PSAC demand Federal, Provincial and Territorial

Governments tackle Anti-Asian racism in all its forms as well as redouble efforts to eliminate racism and hate crimes.

UNION REPRESENTATION OF EARLY LEARNING AND CARE PROVIDERS IN CANADA Lethbridge & District Area Council

WHEREAS the PSAC Statements of Principles #3 says the PSAC “believes that the provision of comprehensive child care services is a social responsibility that must be shared by all, and Principle #17 states “Women have the right to decent work.” 

WHEREAS  Principle #3 fails to address the working conditions or the professional recognition of early learning and child care providers.

WHEREAS Child care is a public good and therefore should be considered a public service.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the PSAC amend Principle #3 to include advocacy for professional recognition and improved worker rights for early learning and care professionals through increased union representation.