Tag Archives: vote

Strike votes for PA, SV, TC & EB bargaining units begin March 16

Union member protesting

PSAC National President Chris Aylward has authorized strike votes for members of the PA, SV, TC and EB bargaining units following the release of the Public Interest Commission (PIC) report last week.

More than 90,000 members of the four bargaining units will have an opportunity to vote at strike meetings to be held from March 16 to May 7, 2020. Strike votes for the 27,000 members of the Canada Revenue Agency bargaining unit are already underway.

“PSAC bargaining teams need a strong strike mandate from members to force Treasury Board to come back to the bargaining table with a new mandate so that we can get a fair settlement quickly,” said Aylward.

Aylward noted that the Public Interest Commission (PIC) report on common issues made it clear that to reach a deal the government will need to offer PSAC members more Phoenix compensation and a wage increase in line with the cost of living. The report also highlighted the need to address compensation gaps and recruitment/retention challenges for those groups that are underpaid relative to comparable groups inside or outside the federal public sector.

The government’s current offer falls short on all fronts. They have yet to table wage increases that would ensure rises in the cost of living are met, and their Phoenix compensation proposal remains meagre and unequal across the public service.

“The threat of a strike will give the employer the nudge it needs to avoid more disruption during their minority government,” said Aylward.

“That’s why we urge all PSAC members to vote yes.”

In the coming weeks members will receive notices of strike vote meetings via email and through your locals and regional offices. The information will also be posted on the front page of the national website, as well on PSAC regional websites.

Please check out the following link if you would like more information on strike votes and strike action. We’ll be adding more information in the days ahead to answer a wide range of questions so make sure to check back.

The original version of this article was first posted on the PSAC website.

FB vote on years of service accrual: Everything you need to know to vote

Picture of a Border Services Officer with the words FB Bargaining

The FB bargaining team, with support of PSAC-CIU, recently decided to take the unprecedented step of calling a membership vote on the issue of years of service accrual. You can read the bargaining team’s reasons for calling the vote here. The FB bargaining team and PSAC-CIU will be taking no official position on the issue of years of service accrual until the vote is complete.

If you are a member of the FB bargaining unit, please read the following carefully.

The online vote will take place between 8:30 AM on February 18 and 12 PM (noon) on March 1st (ET). A simple majority of those members who vote will decide the outcome and determine the position taken by the bargaining team on the years of service accrual issue in negotiations. The vote is secret and strictly confidential.

What are FB members voting on?

FB members will have the opportunity to vote on whether the union should take the position in this round of bargaining to keep the definition of “years of service” as is, or to have previous time in the Canadian Forces also apply for the years of service definition for:

  1. Line selection for shift workers.
  2. Processes for determining who works on a DPH for shift workers.
  3. Vacation selection for everyone in the bargaining unit.
  4. Determining who can access voluntary programs under the Workforce Adjustment Appendix in the event there are excess volunteers.

Note: Previous time in the Canadian Forces is already included in the calculation of vacation leave credits

Ballot wording

Option 1 — I support the Union taking the position in negotiations that the definition of years of service (seniority) should be changed to include time in the Canadian Forces as defined in Article 34.03 a) ii) for all areas of the collective agreement where years of service is applied.

Option 2 — I support leaving the definition of service as it is currently defined in the collective agreement.

Online information sessions (webinars)

This is an unprecedented vote and is not governed by PSAC’s Regulation 15. Therefore, online information sessions (webinars) being offered to members are not a prerequisite for voting. Nevertheless, PSAC-CIU encourages members to participate in the webinars to ensure all questions and concerns are addressed before voting.

The following webinars are available for FB members. To register, please click on the session you would like to participate in.

English French
Wednesday February 20 at 4 PM (ET) Wednesday February 20 at 3 PM (ET)
Friday February 22 at 12 PM/noon (ET) Friday February 22 at 1 PM (ET)
Wednesday February 27 at 6 PM (ET) Wednesday February 27 at 7 PM (ET)

How to cast a vote

Voter information package

In order to vote, you will need to receive a voter information package. This will be sent to the home email address we have on file for you on February 18. If we do not have a home email address for you, we will send you the package via regular mail on February 13.

If you are in the FB bargaining unit but are not a union member (i.e. you have not signed your union membership card), you will first have to sign a union membership card if you choose to participate in the vote. In such a situation, please contact your local or your PSAC regional office to make arrangements as soon as possible.

If you have not received your package by email or regular mail by February 18, please contact the closest PSAC regional office to you.

PIN and website/phone number to vote

The voter information package will include the PIN required to vote. It will also include the website address and phone number to cast a vote. You will only be able to vote once, either on the web or by phone.

Voting period

You may vote any time between 8:30 AM on February 18 and 12 PM/noon on March 1 (ET).

Where to get help with the vote

Your voter information package will include a PSAC helpline number for all questions related to the vote. If you have not received your package by email or regular mail by February 18, please contact the closest PSAC regional office to you.

The original version of this article was first posted on the PSAC website.

UPDATED – Vote on FB Group Tentative Agreement: Don’t Miss Your Chance

Image of CIU flag with the words "FB Agreement Ratification Information"

If you have not received your PIN to vote, you can contact your PSAC Regional Office, e-mail PSAC-Vote-AFPC@psac-afpc.com or call 1.833.223.2659. You will need to provide your full name, PSAC ID, if possible, and your personal e-mail address or home address so we can e-mail/mail you your confidential letter and PIN that you will need in order to vote.

Below, you will find a list of webinars that any member can register for and attend by clicking on the links provided.

Step 1: Webinars

National

Atlantic

British Columbia

Manitoba

Saskatchewan 

Québec

Ontario (updated 2018-05-22)

  • Ontario regional webinars will take place on May 23, 28 and 29, at different times, and are offered in English.
  • Please see the following page and use the drop down menu to choose the date & time that works best for you.
  • You can also take a look at the PSAC Ontario regional website for more information.

Face-to-face meetings

In addition to the webinars, you will find all face-to-face meeting dates and times on your regional websites.

 Step 2: Cast your ballot

You can vote on the tentative agreement by telephone, smartphone or online. As stated above, you must attend an information session before voting.

Using the PIN that was sent to you by mail or your home e-mail go to http://www.fb.isivote.com and follow the instructions or to vote by phone, call the voting phone number at 1.877.446.5146 and follow the instructions.

If you have any more questions about the FB tentative agreement or have any issues voting contact the PSAC FB vote hotline: 1.833.223.2659.

Members not in good standing who wish to vote on the tentative agreement will be required to either make a request to remain MIGS prior to their PIN being activated or sign a membership card, depending on their issue.

A version of this article was first posted on the PSAC website.

FB Ratification Vote: Webinars Schedule Now Available

Image of CIU flag with the words "FB Agreement Ratification Information"

We have organized over 170 opportunities for members to attend a meeting face to face and cast their vote. We are now adding two days of National webinars for members who are unavailable to attend a face to face meeting. You will find the links below, which you can click on and register for one that works with your schedule. Then on that date and time you can log on and listen to the complete presentation.

Please note that the regions may also be organizing regional webinars at the request of Branch Presidents and members. Those will be found on the regional websites and announced regionally. All webinars are monitored for attendance for the presentation as it is your confirmed attendance which will allow you PIN to become active and allow you to vote.

Webinars

May 3

May 22

In-person meetings

Visit your regional PSAC website:

Voting

If you have difficulty updating your information prior to voting, or if you do not receive your PIN, please contact your PSAC Regional Office or the PSAC hotline at 1.833.223.2659.

You can vote on the tentative agreement by telephone, smartphone or online. You must attend an information session or a webinar before voting.

Using the PIN that was sent to you by mail or your home e-mail go  to http://www.fb.isivote.com and follow the instructions or to vote by phone, call the voting phone number at 1.877.446.5146 and follow the instructions. If you have any more questions about the FB tentative agreement or have any issues voting contact the PSAC FB vote hotline: 1.833.223.2659.

Members not in good standing who wish to vote on the tentative agreement will be required to either make a request to remain MIGS prior to their PIN being activated or sign a membership card, depending on their issue.

Vote on the FB Group Tentative Agreement: Let Your Voice Be Heard

Image of CIU flag with the words "FB Agreement Ratification Information"

Thank you to all FB members who have embarked on the e-vote process and cast their vote. This message is intended for all FB members who have not participated in the tentative agreement vote process to date.

It’s a simple two step process for Members in Good Standing! If you cannot attend an in-person meeting:

  • Find a webinar on a regional website, then register and listen to a 20 minute presentation on your tentative agreement. You have the option to stay on the session for the Q&A session after the presentation or;
  • Once you have heard the presentation, you can log off the session and click on the link in step two to vote.  This will require you to have received a Vote Letter including your PIN.

Both attendance at the webinar session and casting your ballot can be accomplished by phone, but you still must register for the webinar session as this will activate your Personal Identification Number (PIN) so you can vote.

Step 1: Attend a meeting

Click on your region below, find a webinar and register, or find a face-to-face meeting in your region. Please note that meetings and webinars are still being scheduled, so please check regularly.

National webinars

Step 2: Cast your ballot

You can vote on the tentative agreement by telephone, smartphone or online. As stated above, you must attend an information session before voting.

Using the PIN that was sent to you by mail or your home e-mail go  to http://www.fb.isivote.com and follow the instructions or to vote by phone, call the voting phone number at 1.877.446.5146 and follow the instructions. If you have any more questions about the FB tentative agreement or have any issues voting contact the PSAC FB vote hotline: 1.833.223.2659.

Members not in good standing who wish to vote on the tentative agreement will be required to either make a request to remain MIGS prior to their PIN being activated or sign a membership card, depending on their issue.

A version of this article was first posted on the PSAC website.