Notice to UPSE members

(Posted Sept 2, 2010)

PEI UPSE has received numerous calls from members concerning their dues deductions. PEI UPSE is in contact with the Public Service Commission/Payroll in attempt to address the issue. We thank you for your patience and will provide an update as soon as possible.

Recent change to UPSE Dues Structure

(Originally posted March 1, 2010 - Repost Sept 1, 2010)

2009 Resolution - At the recent PEI UPSE convention (Annual Convention 2009, postponed until February 26/27, 2010), voting delegates passed the budget presented by the Finance Committee. Contained in this budget was a dues increase of $2.50, with 25 cents of the $2.50 dues increase going to the building fund to renovate and expand the current PEI UPSE office location on Enman Crescent in Charlottetown. For more on this story click here.

UPSE Golf Tournament

(Posted August 24, 2010)

The Union's annual golf tournament will be held on October 2, 2010 at the Mill River Golf Course. Tee off times begin at 10:30 a.m. The first fifteen (15) teams of four (4) to register at the union office will be accepted. The registration fee is $45.00 per player ($180.00 per team) and includes green fees and golf cart rental. Fees must be paid at time of registration. The tournament follows a "best ball" format. PEI UPSE's code of conduct will be in effect.

NUPGE Mental Health Conference - October 28 and 29, 2010

(Posted August 24, 2010)

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is holding a conference on mental health in Ottawa on October 28 and 29, 2010 at the Minto Suite Hotel. Given the particular nature of the issues facing youth and mental health problems, and the importance of early identification, the national union is requesting that the components select individuals who deal more with youths as opposed to those who focus exclusively on adult services. To read more about the conference, application criteria, dates and deadlines, click NUPGE Mental Health Conference.

Federation of Labour's Annual Convention

(Posted August 24, 2010)

The PEI Federation of Labour is holding their 46th Annual Convention on November 5 and 6, 2010 at the Rodd Charlottetown. If you are a PEI UPSE member in good standing and are interested in attending the Convention, please call the Union office at 902-892-5335 or toll free at 1-800-897-8773, or email Mary MacLean by October 15, 2010. The Convention provides a great way to learn about and get involved with labour issues. As a delegate, you will be able to vote on resolutions, listen to speakers, and elect members to fill vacancies on the Federation's executive.

Harper Conservatives Cost Island Taxpayers Millions

(Posted August 17, 2010)

The PEI Union of Public Sector Employees (PEI UPSE) argues that the Harper Conservatives did not consider the costs of implementing the Truth in Sentencing Act before it was passed. As a result, the provinces are expected to assume significant costs to build, upgrade and maintain their prisons. The legislation which came into effect in February 2010 limits the credit a prisoner receives for time served while in custody. It also increased minimum sentencing in some cases and removes the option for house arrest in others. For more on this story, click here

Periodic Closure of UPSE Office

The PEI Union of Public Sector Employees is undergoing significant renovations that began in April 2010, and that are projected to continue into November 2010. During this time, there may be some mornings and/or afternoons where the office will be closed due to construction that will interfere with regular office administration. The Union will post closure notices here on its website as they occur. Thank you for your patience as PEI UPSE works toward completing its renovations.

Funding for 2010 Memorial Service

(Posted July 15, 2010)

This is the thirteenth year that PEI UPSE and the Community and Correctional Services Division (Office of the Attorney General) will co-sponsor attendance to the Police and Peace Officers Memorial Service in Ottawa. The memorial service honours police and peace officers who sacrificed their lives to keep our communities safe. The service also provides an opportunity for participants to engage in networking and professional development activities. For more information on the service and the application process, click here.

Call for Directors in even numbered locals

(Posted July 15, 2010)

Nominations must be received by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, July 30, 2010

The Membership Services Committee has issued a call for nominations for Director positions for all even numbered locals. To be eligible for nomination as a Director you must be 1) a member in good standing of the applicable local for at least a twelve month period, 2) be nominated by a member in good standing from the same local and, 3) have completed the Welcome to UPSE or equivalent course.

Please submit a biography of the nominee (mandatory) along with a nomination form. Nomination forms are available at the Union office or by calling 892-5335 or toll free 1-800-897-8773. The deadline for receipt of nominations at the PEI UPSE office is 3:00 p.m. on Friday, July 30, 2010. If necessary, elections for these positions will be conducted in August. The term of office is for two years and begins immediately following convention.

Civil Service IRAC and WCB find no resolve at conciliation

Posted July 7, 2010

The PEI Union of Public Sector Employees (PEI UPSE) is heading to arbitration with its collective bargaining units representing the Civil Service, IRAC and WCB. “Negotiating teams have worked hard to reach an agreement since talks began in March 2010,” says President Shelley Ward. “However, during conciliation the employer consistently failed to address issues that have been identified as most important to our members.” President Ward asserts that “PEI UPSE bargaining team representatives made a conscious decision to move the process to binding arbitration.  We remain steadfast in our objective of achieving a fair collective agreement for our members.” Dates for arbitration shall be determined in accordance to the Civil Service Act.       

Department of Health

Posted July 7, 2010

Negotiations between PEI UPSE and the Department of Health are moving to arbitration. Talks began in April of 2009 and broke down in December leaving mostly monetary issues on the table. Negotiating teams moved to conciliation in March 2010 and were unable to resolve outstanding issues. PEI UPSE and the Department of Health will now move to arbitration for settlement. Thomas Kuttner has been appointed as Arbitrator and dates are set for September 21 and 22, 2010.

UPSE Family Fun Day goes July 25, 2010

Posted June 30, 2010

PEI UPSE Public Relations Recreation Convention Committee chair, Karen Jackson, has announced that Sunday, July 25, 2010 will be the date for the Annual UPSE Family Fun Day at the Shining Waters Family Fun Park. Tickets are $6.00 each and available through your local directors or the UPSE office by calling 892-5335 or toll free in PEI, 1-800-897-8773.

Province's Hiring Practices are Discriminatory

Posted June 28, 2010

The PEI Union of Public Sector Employees (PEI UPSE) is disappointed that the Supreme Court of PEI has upheld the decision to allow “male only” job ads in the Department of Health.  Shelley Ward, President of PEI UPSE, is concerned that the decision could open up the door to further discriminatory hiring practices. 

“Both men and women should be allowed to apply for any job offered within the Department of Health’s Addiction Services division, and the best qualified applicant should receive the job. Designating jobs as ‘male or female only’ is discrimination and allows the employer to hire less qualified candidates than may be available otherwise,” says President Ward. For more on this story, click here.

UPSE Office closed - Friday, June 25, 2010

Posted June 24, 2010

Due to work being done on the installation of a new watermain for University Avenue the PEI UPSE office will be closed on Friday, June 25, 2010. We will be returning to regular office hours on Monday, June 28, 2010.

NUPGE holds pension meeting in Charlottetown, PEI

Posted June 16, 2010

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) held a pension meeting in Charlottetown on June 13, 2010.  The meeting took place while the federal, provincial, and territorial finance ministers met at the Crowbush resort in Morell to discuss pension reform.

Labour representatives and leaders from across Canada attended the meeting hosted by NUPGE’s Island component, the PEI Union of Public Sector Employees.  There was universal agreement at the pension meeting that Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s recent proposal calling for a modest and gradual increase in Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) premiums falls short of what is needed to properly protect Canadians in their retirement. For more on this story, click here

Retirement Security Affects Everyone

Posted June 7, 2010

The federal, provincial and territorial Ministers are meeting at Crowbush Resort to discuss reform for Canada's pension system. The labour movement is advocating positive changes for all Canadians.

"Rather than lowering the bar for those who have good workplace pensions, as some advocate, we want to raise the bar to provide pension protection and retirement security for all Canadians" - Larry Brown, Secretary Treasurer, NUPGE

For more on this story click here.

Information Sessions on the Future of Health Care

Posted June 4, 2010

In response to many questions being asked about the future of health care on PEI, President Ward has organized a series of information sessions to which all PEI UPSE Resident Care Workers and Licensed Practical Nurses are invited to attend. Please click the link to see a schedule of these sessions, locations and times in your area. LPN and RCW Information Sessions

Civil Service IRAC WCB Move to Conciliation

Posted June 1, 2010

The President of the PEI Union of Public Sector Employees, Shelley Ward, says that “negotiations between UPSE and the Civil Service, IRAC and WCB are moving to conciliation. Negotiating teams have worked hard to reach an agreement since talks began in March 2010; however, a number of outstanding issues require third party intervention.”

Dates for conciliation are scheduled for June 24 and 25, 2010. 

Why Gamble with Safety?

Posted May 27, 2010

Another summer is almost here. The provincial parks will once again be open, and visitors from near and far will be enjoying the Island’s beauty. For park employees, “working alone” is a health and safety concern. The potential for violence...for more click here

New Model of Care creating a lot of stress

Posted May 21, 2010

The new model of care being implemented by the Ghiz government is creating a lot of stress among health care workers on Prince Edward Island. The PEI Union of Public Sector Employees (UPSE) supports the idea that health care workers should be utilized to provide the full range of services that they are trained and qualified to deliver. For many years...to read more click here

Harper's divisive tactics are damaging Canadian civility and undermining democratic traditions

Posted May 19, 2010

President's Commentary: Harper has personally fired, threatened and bullied so many agency and commission heads who have disagreed with him that it's difficult to keep track of them all, says NUPGE's James Clancy. To read the rest of President Clancy's commentary click NUPGE site.

National Union Lobby & Educational Session

Posted May 14, 2010

A National Union Lobby and Educational Session are taking place at the Delta Prince Edward from 2:00-4:30 on Sunday, June 13, 2010. All PEI UPSE activists are invited and encouraged to attend. The event will be followed by a rally being held on Monday, June 14, 2010 at Crowbush. To find out more details of the session and rally, Pension Rally.

Anniversary of the 7.5% Wage Rollback

Posted May 12, 2010

Monday, May 17, 2010 will be the 16th anniversary of the 1994 Liberal government's announcement of their plan to implement a 7.5% wage rollback which affected all PEI public servants. Please click on the link to listen to the CBC Radio archive of the protest held at Province House by PEI public servants. CBC Radio Archives

 

New UPSE Accent

Posted May 7, 2010

Information in regards to public services, reminder of Liberal pay cut of '94, and National Nurses Week are just a few topics that can be found in our newest version of The Accent.

National Day of Mouring

Posted April 22, 2010

The Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace became a national day of observance for Canadians for the first time on April 28, 1991.  It originally was called Workers’ Memorial Day in 1984, and the CLC officially declared it an annual day of remembrance on April 28, 1985.  April 28 was chosen because on that day in 1914 the Workers Compensation Act received its third reading in Ontario’s legislature. The Day of Mourning prompts Canadians and Islanders to remember workers killed, disabled or injured in the workplace and workers afflicted with disease...click here for more...

Union angered by government job move

Posted April 21, 2010

(From CBC News) - The Union of Public Sector Employees is shocked the P.E.I. government is moving more than a dozen jobs from Milton, near Charlottetown, to Tignish, a two-hour drive away. For the rest of this story and a link to President Ward's on-air interview with the CBC, click here

Ghiz holds Public Service for Ransom

Posted April 7, 2010

The President of the Union of Public Sector Employees, Shelley Ward, says “the Ghiz government has stooped to an all-time low by attempting to hold the public service for ransom.   Premier Ghiz is sidestepping contract negotiations and the entire process by threatening the livelihoods of public service employees. This is coercion, plain and simple.” 

“This strategy says a lot about the current government,” explains Ward. “They will not accept any responsibility...read more here

Ward responds to LeClair's letter

Posted April 1, 2010

I would like to respond to Gerard LeClair’s letter (dated April 1, 2010, The Guardian) entitled “Move of paint and body shop an investment, not a handout.” 

I don’t classify the government’s relocation of the paint and body shop to Tignish as a handout as Mr. Leclair has implied.  My argument is that job relocation, especially in this case, does not make good sense.  Government should focus on creating jobs in Tignish instead of moving jobs to Tignish that already exist in other rural areas.  Does it make sense to help one rural area (Tignish) by taking from another (Milton)? ...read more here

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