To say that this has been a busy year would be an understatement.The first and foremost thing that I've had to deal with is workforce adjustment. While my Department has not been hit hard here in Newfoundland, I have had many of my collegues from other Departments hit very hard. I have talked to many that have been affected or are afraid that they will be next.I try to assure them that PSAC will do everything that they can to help affected members, but I also urge them to make sure that they are very familiar with the workforce adjustment policy.
I have tried on many occassions to arrange a meeting with Minister Penashue. This finally happened a while back. Myself, sister Melissa Hyde and Sister Lana Payne sat down with the Minister. To say talking with him was like pulling hens teeth would be a joke. The minister would only say that his government was one of job creation and that the private sector would employ members laid off by this government. By the time that I left this meeting, I was so frustated because the minister could not answer any of our questions without the help of his aids. He could not or would not speak for himself.
Following the meeting with Penashue, I had a meeting with Senator Furey. He came into the PSAC office and was very interested in what we had to say about the loss of federal jobs here in Newfoundland. I hope that he will bring our concerns back to the senate and help put a stop to the conservatives attack on the public service.
I have participated in many conference calls during the past year but had to miss some due to unforseen circumstances.
I look forward to being at the Sept 15th rally and hopefully we can make the conservative government take notice of what we are doing and put a stop to their attacks on us.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Walsh
Reports
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