Updates

The unionized staff at Alaqsite’w Gitpu School in the Mi’gmaq First Nation of Listuguj voted strongly in support of a strike at a meeting this month. Workers will be in a legal strike position on August 26.

PSAC members from all across downtown Sydney came out to join us for a workplace barbecue on Monday, August 9th. Sydney's own Rangelight Cafe provided hamburgers and hotdogs to 250 people in the Dorchester street courtyard, located right next to Sydney's government offices. Members attended from Service Canada, the Canadian Revenue Agency, Correctional Services and Veterans Affairs. The next two winners of our Gifts With A Twist prize baskets were CEIU members Claudette Macdonald and Jana (no last name given.) Congratulations!

 A  luncheon was held for  the offices of Service Canada, USGE and RCMP in Montague on Wednesday, August 11th.

On Tuesday, August 3rd, PSAC held a BBQ at the Service Canada Building in Harbour Grace.  Twenty-three dollars was collected for the Breast Cancer Foundation.  It was a slower BBQ than usual due to its being cancelled because of the inclement weather the week before but overall, this Tuesday was a beautiful day and it was great to meet with our PSAC members in Harbour Grace.

On Wednesday August 4th, PSAC operated a very successful Think Public booth at the Royal St. John's Regatta.  There was free face painting, balloon animals, Freezies and prize draws.  PSAC Think Public pamphlets were distributed and awareness items in the form of stickers, fans, frisbees and washable tattoos.

A Think Public event was held on Saturday, July 31st at the South Shore Actiplex in Crapaud. This event included face painting, distribution of pamphlets and answering questions on pensions and public services. The “Public Services are Cool” coloring books designed by summer student Racheal Francis, were also distributed and sparked many questions regarding public services. T-shirts and Frisbees were also popular handouts. Hundreds of people attended this event and many of them stopped at our booth.

Once again this year, the PSAC participated in the Pride Parade in Charlottetown on July 17th.

Natal Day is the annual birthday celebration of the communities of Halifax and Dartmouth. PSAC took our defending quality public services message out in the fresh air at this year’s Natal Day Parade. Members paraded in style in an antique fire engine. Our message?  Public services are the tools we have collectively given ourselves to achieve our common ideal – a fair, equitable, safe and prosperous society respectful of the environment where no one is left out. Think public!

In the spring of 2010, CEIU took action against the loss of 147 term and casual jobs at the CIC processing centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia. At the local, regional and national levels, CEIU pushed back to save jobs and maintain quality public services. This work has paid off: CIC Sydney will be hiring up to approximately 160 term staff to address the centre’s backlogs at CIC Sydney’s Case Processing Centre, Permanent Resident Card Centre and the Federal Skilled Workers Project. 

On Sunday, July 25, PSAC marched in the St. John's Pride Parade in downtown St. John's, NL.  There were many people in attendance and it was said to be the largest so far in the City.  The parade started at the Colonial Building and marched downtown in front of the Scotia Bank building where the drag races occurred.  Robyn and seven PSAC members of the St. John's and area Locals were in attendance.