Strike votes for Treasury Board bargaining units begin March 16

30905 News

From: Oneil Carlier
Date: February 27, 2020 at 3:02:56 PM MST
To: Edmonton_RO
Subject: Strike votes for Treasury Board bargaining units begin March 16
Greetings;

The PSAC National President Chris Aylward has authorized strike votes for members of the PA, SV, TC and EB bargaining units.

Brother Aylward and Sister Picard, the National Executive Vice President will be in Edmonton on

    March 17

to meet with Treasury Board bargaining unit members. We will be conducting strike votes for TB members from Edmonton at that time. More information to follow.

There will be other dates announced but we would encourage members to come to the March 17 meeting to listen to Brother Aylward and Sister Picard.

Please note that there will other dates, times and locations set up for members to vote in Northern Alberta over the next few weeks.

Strike votes for Treasury Board bargaining units begin March 16
https://psacunion.ca/strike-votes-treasury-board-bargaining-units-begin

In Solidarity;

Oneil Carlier
PSAC Regional Representative

Carm Chan
PSAC Regional Representative

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From: Oneil Carlier
Date: February 28, 2020 at 12:06:05 PM MST
To: Edmonton_RO
Subject: Treasury Board Strike Votes: Frequently Asked Questions

Greetings; This might help you answer your members questions.

When and where exactly will strike votes be held?
We are in the process of finalizing logistics around all strike votes and will provide you with the full schedule for voting sessions in the coming days, well ahead of time.
Each voting session will also include an information session where all questions can be addressed.

What constitutes a successful strike vote?
A successful strike vote means that a simple majority (50% + 1) of members in your bargaining unit who cast a ballot voted in favour of strike action.

Will we have strike preparation courses? If so, when and where?
PSAC is committed to ensuring members are informed about and prepared for a possible strike. Strike preparation courses have already started rolling out in workplaces across the country and will be ramped up in early 2020. Your local union and regional office will be in touch with information about strike preparation courses being planned near you.

When would we actually go on strike?
A successful strike vote does not necessarily mean we will automatically go on strike.
Treasury Board won’t budge unless we apply organized pressure. That’s why PSAC National President Chris Aylward has authorized a strike vote.
A strike mandate will give the PSAC bargaining teams the leverage they need because the Trudeau government will want to avoid a labour disruption. The government is already in turmoil—they can’t risk even more disruption while they’re in a minority government situation.
A strong strike mandate is the best way to reach a settlement quickly, and without having to take strike action.

What is “strike action” and how long would a strike last?
If members vote for a strike and PSAC is still unable to reach an agreement with the employer at the bargaining table, the PSAC National President can authorize a strike. A strike can involve a range of actions—for example, targeted activities in specific workplaces or a full walking off the job at sites across the country. PSAC’s leadership will develop a plan and determine when, where and for how long strike actions will happen.

Will I receive strike pay?
Strike pay for both regular and strategic strikes are governed by Regulation 6 in PSAC’s Constitution. Members are expected to provide a minimum of four hours of work per day in support of the strike to qualify for strike pay.
Members who usually work 20 hours or more each week will receive strike pay.

Members who work in/ Per day/ For a maximum per calendar week of
Yukon/ $103.20/ $516.00
Northwest Territories/ $117.35/ $586.75
Nunavut/ $141.00/ $705.00
Elsewhere in Canada/ $75.00/ $375.00

PSAC members who usually work less than 20 hours per week will receive the strike pay below.
Members who work in/ Per day/ For a maximum per calendar week of
Yukon/ $72.24/ $361.20
Northwest Territories/ $82.15/ $410.75
Nunavut $98.70 $493.50
Elsewhere in Canada/ $53.00/ $265.00

In the case of a ‘strategic strike’—that is, a targeted strike involving no more than 10% of the bargaining unit and lasting no longer than two weeks—strike pay will be 60% of a member’s gross salary.
Some PSAC locals may choose to top-up members’ strike pay.
Strike pay is not considered taxable income by the Canada Revenue Agency.

I’m afraid of being Phoenixed if I go on strike. How can I be sure my pay won’t be interrupted?
The best way to make sure we aren’t forced to strike is to make sure we are prepared for one and get a strong strike mandate, so the employer understands we’re ready to fight for what we deserve.
Some members have concerns that a strike action will generate Phoenix pay problems when we go back to work.
You can be sure the employer has the same worries – times ten! That’s why we are confident Treasury Board will move to a settlement if PSAC members give the bargaining teams a strong strike mandate. The employer can’t risk adding to the backlog of Phoenix cases and that’s why we have more leverage than ever.
But in the event we do go on strike, and there are Phoenix issues on return to work, remember PSAC has already negotiated emergency and priority pay for anyone with pay issues. Nobody can be forced to go without pay.

What if I can’t afford to go on strike?
Don’t worry. Your union has a lot of support systems in place to make sure you never go without pay while you’re on strike.
During a general strike, every member will receive strike pay of a minimum of $75 per day.
You can also apply for PSAC’s Hardship Fund if you run into a difficult financial situation during a strike or lockout. The fund offers emergency financial assistance to workers in financial distress. A Hardship Fund is run by committees in each region that handle requests for assistance.
Lastly, because of the strong impact any strike action by our members would have on the federal government, a strike is unlikely to last long.

What sort of mobilization and job actions are possible in the workplace? And can we take part in job action before we’re in a strike position?
Some examples of mobilization that can happen before we’ve voted for strike action can include:
• Encouraging members to wear ‘Strike Alert’ stickers and display other mobilization materials in the workplace.
• Heavily advertising strike training in and around the office.
• Holding workplace membership meetings to inform and organize.
• Organizing large lunchtime rallies just outside the workplace.

More information
You likely have some additional questions about strike votes, job action and the potential of being on strike. In the coming days we’ll update this Q & A, but rest assured that you’ll also have the ability to ask any additional questions you have at any strike vote meetings that are organized before you cast a vote.

In Solidarity;

Oneil Carlier
Regional Representative
Public Service Alliance of Canada
Suite 670
10665 Jasper Ave.
Edmonton, AB
T5J 3S9

(w) 780-423-1290
(w) 1-800-814-3948
(c) 780-220-0361