PEI Union Of Public Sector Employees

Press Release

(Posted: May 24, 2012)

The Union of Public Sector Employees strongly opposes government's plan to close the provincial liquor store in Wood Islands in favour of peddling alcohol out of convenience stores. The union strongly believes that the move to privatize the sale of alcohol in PEI is problematic on several levels and the decision should be reversed immediately. (read more)

New Accent

(Posted: May 23, 2012)

The Presidential Election is fast approaching. A call for nominations will be issued by the union in June, 2011. Please stay tuned! Also, members invited to submit tenders for grass cutting services at union ... (read more)

Bargaining Update

(Posted: May 14, 2012)

Negotiations between PEI UPSE and Health PEI began on May 8, 9 an 10, 2012 - significant progress was made ...(read more)

Bargaining Update

(Posted: May 9, 2012)

Congratulations to Gillis Lodge for ratifying their first collective agreement on February 13, 2012. Gillis Lodge joined the PEI UPSE family on April 4, 2011. The union is proud to represent Gillis Lodge's approximately eighty members. Negotiations for Gillis Lodge's first collective agreement took place between October 2011 and January 2012 with teams meeting on five separate occasions. The agreement was reached on January 10, 2012. Key issues were pay equity, clarity on vacation, group benefits, overtime and benefits for casuals. (read more)

Letter to the editor

(Posted: May 7, 2012)

Introducing privatized agency liquor stores will mean easy access to alcohol for our young people and those who abuse the substance. Is this the "Gentle Island" we know and love? Are these the actions of a just and compassionate government? (read more)

New Accent

(Posted: May 2, 2012)

Mental Health Week is May 7-13. Mental Health Week is a designated week created by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) to talk, reflect, engage and celebrate mental health for all. The theme of Mental Health For All represents the right of every Canadian to enjoy and have the best possible mental health. (read more)

Press Release

(Posted: May 1, 2012)

The Union of Public Sector Employees is arguing that recent cuts to youth and family support workers in the Family Ties program will result in few savings for government that will come at a major social cost. "We can't afford not to invest in our social programs for youth on Prince Edward Island," says President Shelley Ward of the PEI Union of Public Sector Employees. (read more)

National Day of Mourning

(Posted: April 25, 2012)

In recognition of the upcoming National Day of Mourning, PEI UPSE commemorates workers who have been killed, injured or suffered illness due to workplace related hazards and incidents. April 28 is the Day of Mourning. In honour of those who have fallen, President Shelley Ward has posted a poem composed by David Sturge, Occupational Health and Safety Officer, Government of Newfoundland (read more)

New Accent

(Posted: 23, 2012)

PEI UPSE wants to increase voter participation in its next Presidential Election. The union requests that members ensure their current contact information is up-to-date in order to receive ballots. April 28 is the Day of Mourning. PEI UPSE asks members to remember workers injured or killed on the job and to attend the Day of Mourning Ceremony at Province House. (read more)

President Ward addresses membership on job cuts.

(Posted: April 20, 2012)

The job cuts in the public service are detrimental to all. They directly affect the families of those who have lost their jobs and they also affect those who are left behind to do more work with less resources. (read more)

Provincial government delivers Harper style budget

(Press Release: Posted April 19, 2012)

The Union of Public Sector Employees is calling yesterday’s provincial budget the worst budget to emerge since the Callbeck years.“ It is a budget that appeases the private sector and corporations at the expense of front line public service employees and the vital services they provide to Islanders‚” says President Shelley Ward. (read more)

Cutting public service jobs not the answer

(Posted April 17, 2012)

President Shelley Ward argues that cutting public services Islanders depend on is no way to address the deficit. Government can save millions by tightening restrictions on loans and grants to private business. Let banks administer business loans and assume the risk for companies that go under – not Islanders! Government’s priority should be investing in public services like healthcare, education, safe roads and the environment. (read more)

Press Release

(Posted April 13, 2012)

The President of the PEI Union of Public Sector Employees, Shelley Ward, says the Ghiz government should not have fired twenty-one property guards at three important locations in Prince Edward Island as this creates security and safety issues. (read more)

Press Release

(Posted April 6, 2012)

The President of the Prince Edward Island Union of Public Sector Employees, Shelley Ward, says that "the provincial government's Speech from the Throne made no mention of the public service cuts that will negatively affect more than 10% of civil service employees. This is not good news for Islanders and the public services they depend on every day." (read more)

Press Release

(Posted March 28, 2012)

The President of the Prince Edward Island Union of Public Sector Employees (PEI UPSE) Union is disappointed with proposed changes to the PEI Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Highway Maintenance Summer Program that will result in over 200 workers across the province not returning to their seasonal jobs. (read more)

New Accent

(Posted March 16, 2012)

PEI UPSE is holding a Steward's Conference on April 11, 2012. The theme is a "day in the life of a steward" (read more)

Press Release

(Posted March 12, 2012)

Premier Ghiz promised Islanders that there would be no cuts to health care in a speech to the Rotary club in January 2012. However, the government is now going back on its word by saying that vital health care services will be cut in Prince Edward Island. (read full release)

Press Release

(Posted March 9, 2012)

PEI UPSE had an open and frank discussion with government about the province's ongoing fiscal challenges and the fact that spending needs to be reduced in order to reduce the deficit. The union presented a number of cost-saving suggestions for the government's consideration at the meeting and emphasized that cutting services was not a viable option. (read full release)

New Accent

(Posted March 1, 2012)

Roughly two-hundred PEI UPSE members attended the union's First Winter "Island Family Fun Day" event at the Rodd Mill River Resort in Bloomfield ... (read more)

Press Release

(Posted February 21, 2012)

The Prince Edward Island Union of Public Sector Employees has donated $15,000 to local non-profit groups and charitable organizations through its annual PEI UPSE Has a Heart campaign. (read more)

New Accent

(Posted February 21, 2012)

PEI UPSE has issued a call for members to sit on Holland College's Pension Advisory Committee and the Joint Benefits Advisory Committee. Also, check out the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women's Stand With Us poster campaign featuring Islanders pledging their commitment to help end violence against women and children (read more). (read more)

Advocate

(Posted February 21, 2012)

Please see PEI UPSE's latest Advocate containing the President's perspective, a report on the 50th Annual Convention, grievances and bargaining updates, member discounts and more... (see Advocate)

New Accent

(Posted February 11, 2012)

The PEI Union of Public Sector Employees currently has two job opportunities available. The Information Technology Coordinator is to be responsible, with the President, for the programming of the Union's technology including the troubleshooting and maintenance of all IT equipment (read more). The Senior Staff Officer is to be responsible, with the President, for the direction of the operational affairs of the union including, labour relations, communications and administration (read more).

PEI UPSE's latest Accent

(Posted February 2, 2012)

PEI UPSE's latest Accent includes an upcoming Steward level II educational opportunity, a call for names for the Civil Service & WCB Classification and Appeals Committees, and the PSGIP Board of Trustees, as well as an update on vacant Director positions that have been filled (read more)

Canadian Values Under Attack

(Posted January 16, 2012)

Stephen Harper is catering to the 39% of voters who turned out to vote for him. The values, programs and services that Islanders and Canadians cherish are under attack. (read more)

Family Fun Day

(Posted January 13, 2012)

PEI UPSE is holding a Family Fun Day at the Rodd Mill River Resort in Bloomfield,PEI on Sunday, February 19, 2012. Read More

Union Says Staffing Shortages Common for All Nurses

(Posted January 9, 2012)

The President of PEI UPSE, Shelley Ward, says Mona O'Shea's recent comments have not been productive and have served only to instill fear among the public, demean trained professionals, and create dissension among nurses... (read full release)

Call For Vacant Director Positions

(Posted January 6, 2012)

PEI UPSE's Membership Services Committee has issued a call for nominations for vacant Board of Director positions in locals 5, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 and 20. The nomination deadline is January 26,2012. View Accent

PEI UPSE Closed for Holidays

(Posted December 21, 2011)

The PEI Union of Public Sector Employees will be closed from December 23 to January 2 inclusively. If you need assistance during this time please call 902-393-0485 or email sward@peiupse.ca.

Happy Holidays

(Posted December 15, 2011)

The PEI Union of Public Sector Employees thanks its members for their continued hard work and wishes all happy holidays. See Bulletin

Video - the History of PEI UPSE

(Posted December 14, 2011)

The video takes you through the union's humble beginnings in the 1940's as the Public Servants Association primarily acting as a social club, to key events in the 1970's when the first collective agreement became a reality. The video outlines how successive governments both Conservative and Liberal attacked the wages and rights of members in the 80's, 90's and 2000's and how the union demonstrated solidarity in the face of these attacks. View Videos

New Accent Published

(Posted December 1, 2011)

December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada. Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, this day marks the anniversary of the murders in 1989 of 14 young women at l'Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal. For more information including memorial services for the victims of violence see The Accent. View Accent

PEI UPSE in Halifax Supporting Funding for Health Care

(posted November 24, 2011)

The provincial and territorial ministers are meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia on November 24 and 25, 2011 along with the Federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq, to discuss a new deal regarding the Federal Health Transfer. The President of PEI UPSE and several members of the union will be in Halifax as well, to attend a Town Hall on the 2014 Health Accord called A PEOPLE'S AGENDA and to participate in a rally supporting Canadians in their belief that governments should make medicare even better by investing in home care, mental health, long-term care, pharmacare, and a national health human resource strategy. See President Ward's latest commentary on Funding for Health Care ... Full Report

PEI UPSE's 50th Annual Convention

(posted November 23, 2011)

The PEI Union of Public Sector Employees held its 50th Annual Convention over the weekend (November 17-19) with great success. President Shelley Ward kicked off the proceedings by showing the delegation a specially prepared video on the history of the Union of Public Sector Employees from its humble beginning in the 1940's as the Public Servants Association primarily acting as a social club, to key events in the 1970's when the first collective agreement became a reality Full Report

PEI UPSE Kids' Christmas Parties

(posted November 21, 2011)

See the latest bulletin on three upcoming Kids' Christmas Parties ! Note: members must register their children by the due dates in order to receive presents and/or treat bags. Bulletin

New Accent, Rocket Winners, and Bursaries

(posted October 25, 2011)

New Accent Published
The latest Accent calls for members to attend an information session and rally on the Canada Health Transfer Fund; outlines the 2011-13 list of Directors in odd numbered locals, and asks members to submit tenders for a seasonal contract re snow removal. See more info →

Rocket Ticket Winners
Cindy Blackett (Local 15, Liquor Control Commission) and Allan Davidson (Local 8, Community and Social Services) won 2 tickets each to the latest PEI Rocket home games. The next draw will take place on Oct 20 (for games on Oct 27 and 30) so don't forget to enter by emailing your name and contact information to peiupse@peiupse.ca or call us at 892-5335. If emailing please use "PEI Rocket Tickets" as your subject line.

PEI UPSE Bursaries
The union is offering bursaries as part of its efforts to promote the importance of life-long learning and education. All applications must be received by November 25, 2011 AT 4:30 P.M. For more information about the bursaries and for the application form please see the following:

Rocket Raffle

(posted October 11, 2011)

The PEI UPSE Public Relations and Recreation /Convention Committee is excited to announce that they have two (2) season passes for the upcoming PEI Rocket regular season. Members are eligible to enter draws throughout the game season and the lucky winners will receive two (2) tickets to an upcoming home game. Watch the PEI UPSE website regularly for announcements on draw dates.

To enter our first draw making you eligible to win two (2) tickets for a home game on October 14 or 16 please email your name and contact information to peiupse@peiupse.ca or call us at 892-5335 by October 13, 2011. If emailing please use "PEI Rocket Tickets" as your subject line.

The first draw will take place on Thursday, October 13, 2011. PEI UPSE will contact winners and hold tickets at the union office for pick-up on Friday, October 14, 2011.

PEI UPSE Annual Golf Tournament

(posted September 13, 2011)

PEI UPSE's annual golf tournament will be held this year at Dundarave Golf Course on October 9th, 2011. The cost per player is $45 (taxes and cart included) and teams of 4 are required. There will be a shot gun start at 11 a.m. and the format for the tournament is BEST BALL.Prizes and food will be provided at the completion of the tournament. The registration deadline is Friday, September 23, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. To register your team contact the PEI UPSE office at 892-5335 or toll free at 1-800-897-8773. The first eighteen teams to register will be accepted. Team players must be PEI UPSE members and/or family members.

PEI Federation of Labour - Leaders Debate

(posted September 12, 2011)

The Prince Edward Island Federation of Labour is pleased to announce that all five party leaders have agreed to take part in a leader's debate on issues important to working families on P.E.I. The debate will take place from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Murphy Centre, 200 Richmond Street, Charlottetown on Monday, September 19. Press Release. Poster.

New Advocate Published

(Posted September 7, 2011)

PEI UPSE Special Edition Advocate focusing on Election 2011. The union asked PEI's five political parties (with official status) to comment on key issues affecting the membership and all Islanders. To view this Advocate, click here.

In 2007 PEI UPSE published a similiar themed Advocate, Election 2007, asking the then four parties of the day to comment on key issues and this link holds the results, click here.

New Accent Published

(Posted September 7, 2011)

New Accent published containing information on nominations for the PEI UPSE Member of the Year Award, Annual Golf Tournament, and if you are a recent retiree please contact the union office. Read more here

To find out more on the PEI UPSE Member of the Year Award and to get a nomination form, click here

Important Notice from Holland College to all LPN's

(Posted August 24, 2011)

Please click on the following link to view an important notice from Holland College to all LPN's. Notice

Attention PEI UPSE members employed with Health PEI

(Posted August 18, 2011)

The Health Development and Training Fund has been depleted for this fiscal year. An extremely high volume of applications were received between April 1, 2011 and August 17, 2011 using up the full allotment of this year's $225,000.00 worth of funding.

Any applications received after August 17, 2011 will not be able to be processed.

If an application was submitted before August 17, 2011, members will be notified only if they are unable to be processed.

PEI Federation of Labour - 11th Annual Labour Day Picnic and Barbecue

(Posted August 8, 2011)

The PEI Federation of Labour will be holding its 11th Annual Labour Day Picnic and Barbecue on Monday, September 5, 2011 from 4:00-6:00 at Victoria Park in Charlottetown.

PEI UPSE's Secretary Treasurer Steps Down

(Posted August 2, 2011)

The PEI Union of Public Sector Employees wishes its former Secretary Treasurer, Kevin Gotell, all the best in his future endeavors. Brother Gotell has been a member of PEI UPSE for more than 15 years and served as Secretary Treasurer since 2008. Brother Gotell also served as a Director for local 11 in the past and was Chairperson for the Public Relations Committee as well as Chairperson for the Staff Relations Committee.