Visit this page from Dec. 7 – 22 to find out what your union has done for you!
On the first day of Christmas, my union gave to me:
We negotiated stronger contracts for thousands of workers in the federal government, provincially regulated organizations, in territorial governments and with other employers, so PSAC members can benefit from job protection and decent working conditions in these tough economic times.
On the second day of Christmas, my union gave to me:
We defended – and continue to defend – job security provisions in our collective agreements so that PSAC members are not booted onto the street with two weeks notice, but given strong transition support measures. When the Conservative government started cutting jobs we deployed our team across the country to explain members’ rights and created extensive on-line tools about workforce adjustment provisions.
On the third day of Christmas, my union gave to me:
Our pay equity complaints have gained literally billions of dollars for PSAC members. With a few exceptions, employers have done everything they can to avoid paying but we persist and we succeed. In 2011, the Surpreme Court ruled directly from the bench upholding the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal decision that said Canada Post owed retroactive pay equity payments plus interest.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my union gave to me:
Our legal team has defended the rights of individual PSAC members and fought back discrimination for family status, racial discrimination and other violations in the workplace. Most recently, we won a court decision that means employers must try to find a workable solution to accommodate workers with childcare obligations.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my union gave to me:
Our negotiated grievance procedures mean the union can defend members who are unjustly disciplined or fired, or who are denied money or benefits they are entitled to receive. Each month PSAC reviews over 100 new cases after the final level of the grievance process. Over 85% of the grievances we take forward are either settled or won before a third-party arbitrator.
On the sixth day of Christmas, my union gave to me:
We commissionned and publicized independent reports in British Columbia, the Atlantic and nationally that demonstrated the negative economic consequences of cutting government programs and services. Nationally, we continue to press the government for transparency around how cuts are impacting services and the economy.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my union gave to me:
We have successfully campaigned for health and safety protection for PSAC members and prepared tool kits, hazard prevention guides and background information on diseases and illnesses to help protect members at work. We called for a national mental health strategy to push the government to take the current mental health epidemic seriously and deal with its root causes.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my union gave to me:
We were one of the first unions to gain paid maternity leave 30 years ago. Since then we have negotiated payment of the difference between EI or QPIP benefits up to 93% of pay for most PSAC members who take maternity or parental leave. Last year in one of our bargaining units we achieved a breakthrough – a 93% top up for membres who take compassionate care leave to look after a relative of friend in palliative care.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my union gave to me:
We actively sought and won benefits for same sex couples at the bargaining table. We were also fully engaged in the work to change the Canadian Human Rights Act to prohibit discimination on the basis of sexual orientation. With our Aboriginal, Inuit and Métis members, we created the Justice for Aboriginal Peoples initiative to raise awareness and put pressure on the federal government.
On the tenth day of Christmas, my Union gave to me:
We have partnered with municipalities, provinces and other stakeholders to stand up for strong federal public services across Canada. We sponsor community events and local fund-raising initiatives like runs and food drives.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my Union gave to me:
The union advantage really adds up. Those extra dollars on workers’ pay cheques stay in the local economy. They get spent at local businesses, where they sustain jobs, and support community services that add to everyone’s quality of life. There were 4,694,600 union members working everywhere across Canada in 2013 – about 31% of the country’s workforce. Those workers earned, on average, $5.17/hour more because their unions negotiated fair wages and work hours.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my Union gave to me:
When unions stand up for fairness, they raise the bar for everyone. Many of the things first won by unions are enjoyed by all workers today – minimum wages, overtime pay, workplace safety standards, maternity and parental leave, vacation pay, and protection from discrimination and harassment.
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In Solidarity,
Jeannie Baldwin
Regional Executive Vice-President
Public Service Alliance of Canada – Atlantic Region