Updates

Sisters and Brothers, I have personally sent a letter to every MP in our Region in regards to Bill C-27.  I strongly encourage you to send our template letter to Bill Morneau, the Minister of Finance, telling him that Bill C-27, an Act to amend the Pension Benefits Standards Act, is an attack on the retirement security of workers. 

The Labrador Regional Women's Committee (RWC) presented donations to a new emergency shelter that recently opened. In the picture: Patsy Murphy, co-chair of the RWC presenting the items to Krystal Saunders and Megan Russell, coordinators of the Emergency Shelter. 

Colleen Hodder, A/REVP, presenting a cheque of $1,000 to the Halifax Typographical Union.

On behalf of the Union of National Defence Employees, Brother Martin Coady, President of UNDE Local 90120 & Brother Dennis Sheppard, President of UNDE Local 90120, presented a cheque of $2,000 to members of UNIFOR Local 597 who have been locked out since Dec. 20 by their employer D-J Composites Inc.

Course Date and Location Description Information and Registration Introduction to Being  a Union Steward         January 21, 2017 PSAC Cal Best Boardroom 287 Lacewood Drive, Suite 301Halifax, NS                                       

For International Human Rights Day the three PSAC committees located in Halifax, NS wanted to come together an give back to the community.   The Halifax Regional Women's Committee, Halifax Human Rights Committee and Nova Scotia Area Council 1 all donated some funds and their time, to prepare a spaghetti dinner for up to 150 Haligonians at Soul's Harbour Rescue Mission.  

The PSAC regional offices will be closed from December 25 to January 2.  In case of emergency, please call Debbie McLaughlin at 902.499.0484.

As we look back upon the past year, I would like to acknowledge all PSAC members who have defended the values and principles of PSAC; bargained on behalf of our membership and therefore shaped our Union.  It is in this spirit that I say thank you for your continued support and dedication to our amazing Union, Sisters and Brothers.  Best wishes to you, your local and your families during the holiday season and New Year.   Colleen Hodder Acting Regional Executive Vice-President, Atlantic

The Public Service Alliance of Canada is pleased that Canada will honour a leading civil rights activist by featuring Viola Desmond on the new $10 bill. CBC described Desmond’s legacy this way: In 1946, nine years before Rosa Parks historic bus ride in the U.S., Viola Desmond sat in a section of a Nova Scotia movie theatre that was reserved for white people, rather than the designated area for black people upstairs. A police officer arrested her and she spent the night in jail charged with not paying a tax of three cents for a downstairs ticket.  

On November 26-27, 18 PSAC members took part in the Directly Chartered Locals (DCLs) conference that was held in Moncton, NB.  The focus of the conference was to provide training on how to write and adopt resolutions at Conventions. Colleen Hodder, A/Regional Executive Vice-President of PSAC-Atlantic felt the enthusiasm in the room: “It was exciting to see the members write resolutions and debate them passionately.  We gave them all the tools necessary to play an active role at our upcoming Regional Convention and I’m sure they will come prepared.”