UPSE/Health PEI Arbitration Award
Posted: May 7, 2013
Negotiations between the UPSE Health bargaining unit and Health PEI moved to mediated arbitration on April 23 and April 24. Tom Kutner (Arbitrator) and the Board (Robert Dunn, Employer Rep) and Linda Power (UPSE Nominee) reviewed proposals and issued an award based on mutual agreement between the parties. The new collective agreement spans a five year period from April 1, 2012 until March 31, 2017.
New Accent - Mental health week
Posted: May 3, 2013
Please see the latest Accent. May 6-12 is mental health week. Also, check out death benefit coverage information for members of the CSSF.
NUPGE 2013 Scholarships
Posted: May 2, 2013
Each year, the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) offers four scholarships that reflect its pursuit of equal opportunity for all workers. They are open to the children of the National Union’s 340,000 members who are starting a post-secondary education.
If you are interested in more information, (Click here)
May Day Rally (May 1st – Province House, 4:30 p.m.)
Posted: April 29, 2013
A May Day Rally will be held in Charlottetown in front of the PEI Legislature on Wednesday, May 1, beginning at 4:30 p.m. to mark International Workers’ Day. There will be entertainment and speeches. Debbie Bovyer, President of UPSE will be one of the speakers. The rally will address critical issues facing working people today here on PEI, in Canada, and around the world. Special emphasis will be put on Stephen Harper’s attack on workers with his Employment Insurance cuts.
Following the rally, people will gather at the Globe World Flavors at 132 Richmond Row. The rally is being organized by Common Causes which is an assembly of social movements dedicated to defending democracy, the environment, and human rights. For information contact 902-368-7337. Common Causes website.
Charlottetown Earth Week Expo
Posted: April 23, 2013
All are invited to the Earth Week Expo at Murphy's Community Centre (200 Richmond St. Charlottetown)on Saturday, April 27 from 12 - 4 p.m. Activities for all ages include: art tables, reading tent, live music, art exhibit, electric vehicles, information booths and displays on environmental action and awareness, panel on Ideas for a Sustainable Future, workshop on Connect with Nature and more!
Upcoming Occupational Health and Safety Events
Posted: April 23, 2013
For information on PEI’s 12th Annual Workplace Health and Safety Conference (April 26); the National Day of Mourning (April 28); Steps for Life Walk (May 4); and North American Occupational Health and Safety Week (May 5-10).
New Accent
Posted: April 19, 2013
UPSE members invited to submit tenders for grass cutting services... and PSC call for nominations for the Douglas MacMaster Memorial OHS Award. (Read More)
PSC calling for nominations: 2013 Douglas MacMaster Memorial OHS Award
Posted: April 17, 2013
The Douglas MacMaster Memorial Occupational Health and Safety Award for excellence in occupational health and safety was introduced in 2006. The award is designed to celebrate individual or team achievements by government employees in the promotion and development of health and safety. For information about “eligibility criteria” and the “nominating process.” (Click here)
The nomination deadline is May 17, 2013.
Day of Mourning - April 28
Posted: April 16, 2013
Everyone is invited to attend the Day of Mourning Ceremony on Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Province House. Let’s join together to remember workers who were injured or died as a result of workplace illness or injury. (See Poster)
Congratulations from President
Posted: April 15, 2013
On behalf of the Executive, Board of Directors and staff, I want to congratulate Andrew Jack (UPSE LRO), his wife Heather and their eldest son Baiden, on the recent birth of Davis Mason Jack.
New Accent
Posted: April 12, 2013
Please see the latest Accent highlighting the Annual Day of Mourning on April 28, the Steps for Life walk on May 4 for families living in the aftermath of a workplace fatality, and upcoming UPSE educationals for Steward Level I and II. (Read More)
Press Release: Union opposes NDP Stance on MLA Compensation
Posted: April 9, 2013
The Union of Public Sector Employees does not support the leader of the NDP’s call to roll back MLA wages. Debbie Bovyer, President of UPSE, says “the union is against wage rollbacks in principle, does not support the idea that union members should be on committees that determine MLA wages, and believes the public is the ultimate judge of MLA compensation.” (read more)
Rally for Island wide Hospital Access
Posted: April 8, 2013
The Island wide Hospital Access committee is organizing a rally to take place on April 18 (7 p.m.) at the PEI Legislature. The rally will raise concerns about the future of Hospital access in PEI. (see poster)
Press Release: Union not told about province’s plan to tie MLA pay raises to average civil service pay increases
Posted: April 4, 2013
The President of UPSE, Debbie Bovyer, says “the union was not informed about government’s move to tie MLA pay raises to civil service employee raises. I’m not sure I understand the province’s intention with this move beyond looking for a convenient way to deflect or avoid public scrutiny regarding MLA pay raises.” (read more)
Support Postal Workers in PEI
Posted: April 3, 2013
Canada Post is shutting down local mail sorting on PEI as of April 15. From this point on local mail will be sent to Halifax where it will be sorted by a machine before being sent back to PEI. Up until now, local mail was sorted by hand in PEI by postal workers. Postal workers affected by the changes will be reassigned, however, their positions will be phased out through attrition. Read more to see how you can lend support to Postal Workers in PEI (read more)
Press Release: UPSE Comments on Provincial Budget
Posted: March 27, 2013
The President of PEI UPSE, Deborah Bovyer, says “today’s budget falls short of reinvesting in public services that Islanders depend on. However, if there is a silver lining, it’s that Government has shown some restraint in curtailing further austerity.” (read more)
PEI UPSE Office Closure
Posted: March 22, 2013
Please note that the PEI UPSE Office will be closed today due to the weather. The office will reopen Monday March 25, 2013.
Federal Government Losing Millions in Offshore Tax Revenue
Posted: March 18, 2013
President Bovyer talks about offshore tax havens and how billions of untaxed Canadian dollars are shelved in places like Barbados and the Cayman Islands. She questions why the Harper government is targeting struggling Canadians on EI rather than boosting efforts to collect billions of dollars of unpaid taxes in 2012 resulting from money hidden offshore Read More
WCB Health and Safety Conference
The theme of this year’s conference is “Working Together Toward a Culture of Safety”
Posted: March 11, 2013
The 2013 WCB Workplace Health & Safety Conference features workshops on a wide range of workplace safety topics, as well as a comprehensive trade show of products and services from Atlantic Canada’s health and safety community.
When: Friday, April 26, 2013 8:00am - 4:30pm
Where: Confederation Centre of the Arts, Charlottetown, PEI
Registration: $125 per person (includes lunch)
Click here to register (online) for the WCB Health and Safety Conference
Federal EI Changes - Public Town Hall Meetings
Posted March 6, 2013
How will EI changes affect you, your family, and your community? What's your Employment Insurance story? Have your voice heard in a safe and open setting. All welcome - Voices and listeners from Business, Government, Community Organizations and Individuals
West Prince
Monday, March 11, 2013 -
7:00 pm
Palmer Road Parish Hall,
Palmer Road
Montague
Wednesday, March 13, 2013 - 7:00 pm
Red's Corner Restaurant,
Poole's Corner
PEI Coalition for Fair EI. For more information, email liclark@gov.pe.ca or call Lori MacKay at 902-626-1112.
PEI Working Group for Livable Income
Posted March 6, 2013
The PEI Working Group for Livable Income invites you to two upcoming events on Guaranteed Annual Income (GAI). GAI is a poverty elimination strategy and is often referred to as Basic Income. With GAI, everybody is guaranteed an annual income sufficient to support their basic human needs. More Info
New Advocate
Posted: March 4, 2013
Please see the latest edition of The Advocate featuring a message from President Bovyer, a report on the 51st Annual Convention, an update on the pension talks, and the latest on grievances and bargaining...Read More
PEI UPSE President and Staff participate in Pink Shirt Day 2013
Posted: March 1, 2013
On February 27, 2013, the PEI UPSE staff donned the pink shirt in support of the PEI Pink Shirt anti bullying campaign. Read More
PEI Federation of Labour - Town Hall Meeting on EI Reform
Posted: February 26, 2013
A public town hall meeting is organized by the PEI Coalition for Fair EI in North Rustico on February 28. MP Wayne Easter and MLA Sonny Gallant, Provincial Chair of the Standing Committee on Fisheries, Transportation and Rural Development will speak. Carolyn Bertram, local MLA will be in attendance.
The EI Reform will affect you, your family and your community. Come share with us your Employment Insurance story. We need to mobilize to oppose this reform.
Where: North Rustico Lions Club, 17 Timber Lane, North Rustico
When: 7:00 p.m. - Thursday, February 28
PEI Health Coalition for Fair EI - A coalition of social justice, laboour and women's organizations. For more information email lmackay@cupe.ca or call Lori MacKay at 626-1112.
Employment Insurance - Meeting/Info Session
Posted: February 26, 2013
The Egmont NDP Riding Association is pleased to announce that the Honourable Yvon Godin, Member of Parliament for the riding of Acadie/Bathurst will be speaking to the recent changes to the Employment Insurance system and the disastrous effect of these changes in the Maritime Provinces. Guest Speakers include Mike Remond, Leader of the New Democratic Party of P.E.I., and Joe Byrne, NDP Candidate for the Riding of Charlottetown.
Location: Rodd Mill River Resort, Bloomfield, P.E.I.
Date: 1st of March, 2013
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Everyone is welcome.
Fracking: Can Our Watersheds Afford It?
Posted: February 25, 2013
Friends of Covehead and Brackley Bay, and Winter River-Tracadie Bay Watershed Association, invite you to – Fracking: Can Our Watersheds Afford It?
Don’t Frack PEI will be leading the discussion, and there will be a showing of the movie Gasland.
North Shore Community Centre, West Covehead, 2120 Route 25. Thursday, March 7th, 7pm.
Public Town Hall Meeting on EI Changes
Posted: February 15, 2013
The PEI Coalition for Fair EI, a coalition of social justice, labour, and women’s organizations, is holding a public Town Hall meeting on the EI changes. How will EI changes affect you, your family, and your community? The Town Hall takes place at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, February 19 at the Murphy Centre in Charlottetown.(See details here)
New Accent
Posted: February 13, 2013
Upcoming education for the membership includes Steward Level IV, Media Training, and New Strategies for Building Enforcement and Bargaining. Also, register for WCB’s Annual Workplace Health and Safety Conference. (Read More)
Canada Student Loan Privacy Breach
Posted: February 12, 2013
On January 11, 2013, The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, issued a statement regarding the loss of an external hard drive from an HRSDC office in Gatineau, Quebec which contained personal information of 583,000 Canada Student Loans Program borrowers between 2000-2006. (Press Release)
To assist UPSE members and thier families who may have concerns regarding the safety and security of thier personal information, we have provided links below to sites that can provide additional resources to assist those who may be affected:
Canada Student Loan Program; Privacy Breach
Privacy Breach: Additional Information
To file a complaint under the Privacy Act
Link to a community advocacy website providing information regarding the Student Loan information situation Read More
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Bargaining Update
Posted: May 7, 2013
Negotiations between the UPSE Health bargaining unit and Health PEI moved to mediated arbitration on April 23 and April 24. Tom Kutner (Arbitrator) and the Board (Robert Dunn, Employer Rep) and Linda Power (UPSE Nominee) reviewed proposals and issued an award based on mutual agreement between the parties. The new collective agreement spans a five year period from April 1, 2012 until March 31, 2017. read more
