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

PEI UPSE and the Civil Service, IRAC and WCB are heading to binding arbitration. Negotiating teams have worked hard to reach an agreement since talks began in March 2010. After two full days at conciliation your team representatives decided that many current and outstanding key issues were not going to be addressed at the table by the employer. Therefore, your representatives made a conscious decision to move to binding arbitration. Dates for arbitration are to be determined as per the Civil Service Act. More information will be posted when available.

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

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.

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

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

Unions should Work Together to Improve Health Care

Posted March 31, 2010

The President of the Union of Public Sector Employees, Shelley Ward, says that "Barbara Brookin's (President of the PEI Nurses Union) recent comments are counterproductive to unionized labour and health care on Prince Edward Island. Insinuating that health care is in jeopardy...read more here

Call for Director Nominations

Posted March 30, 2010

The Membership Services and Communications Committee has issued a call for nominations for the position of Director for locals 9, 11, 13, 17, 19 and 20. Members of said locals should submit names of eligible nominees. To be eligible for nomination as a Director, a member of the applicable local must be...read more here in our latest version of the Accent

Petition - Fight Against the Body and Paint Shop Move

Posted March 25, 2010

In an effort to bring awareness to the ill advised decision by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal to relocate its body and paint shop to a new building in Western P.E.I. as part of its rural development plan, UPSE has initiated a petition that Islanders can complete and send to Premier Ghiz and Minister MacKinley. Please visit the petition by clicking on the link to the right of this page or by clicking here

Letter to the Editor

Posted March 23, 2010

Job creation is a key factor in keeping the economy going. The Liberal government would like Islanders to believe that moving the Department of Transportation's body and paint shop to Tignish is rural development. Minister Sheridan and the Liberal government have announded that 'it's time to put our shoulders to the wheel", and "we should lead by example." read more here

The fight against racial discrimination continues

Posted March 17, 2010

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is pleased again this year to join in observances around the globe marking March 21, International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. read more here

Union and Department of Health Heading to Arbitration

Posted March 12, 2010

The President of the Union of Public Sector Employees, Shelley Ward, says that “negotiations between the Union 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.” read more here

Union against Two-Tier Minimum Wage

Posted March 11, 2010

The President of the Union of Public Sector Employees, Shelley Ward, says that "the Union is firmly against the Province establishing a minimum wage system that allows for lower wages for inexperienced workers, students and/or workers earning tips. Such changes to the wage rate are unnecessary and allow businesses to pay low wage earners even less. read more here

President Shelley Ward (PEI UPSE) will deliver a presentation to the Standing Committee on Community and Intergovernmental Affairs as part of the consultation process on different minimum wage rates on March 11, 2010 in Charlottetown.

Letter to the Editor

Posted March 10, 2010

The Liberal government would like Islanders to believe that moving the Department of Transportation’s body and paint shop from Milton to Tignish will create good paying jobs.  But simply moving jobs from one location to another is not job creation.  There are three government facilities in the community of Tignish.  The majority of the employees in these facilities are casual employees.  They all live in fear of losing their jobs from year to year, especially when governments change...read more here

Province responsible for deficit

Posted March 8, 2010

The President of the Union of Public Sector Employees, Shelley Ward, said "the Provincial Treasurer, Wes Sheridan, continues to side step responsibility for Prince Edward Island's $85 million deficit. He is simply capitalizing on yet another opportunity to deflect criticism away from his own Government's mismanagement of public funds by placing the blame elsewhere," explained Ward...read more here

New UPSE Accent

Posted March 5, 2010

Calling for delegates for NUPGE Triennial Convention, Chairperson needed for the Civil Service Education Development and Training Fund and International Women's Day, are just a few topics that can be found in our newest version of The Accent.

NUPGE Atlantic Weeklong Educational goes May 16-21, 2010

Posted March 5, 2010

UPSE Education and Occupational Health and Safety Committee Chair, Debbie Johnston, is pleased to annouce the 2010 NUPGE Atlantic Weeklong School is slated for May 16-21, 2010 at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Interested UPSE members are asked to print and complete the following application and send in to the UPSE office by March 31, 2010. NUPGE Weeklong Application

2009 UPSE Convention

Posted March 1, 2010

Follow this link to find out about resolutions that passed, presentations that the delegates enjoyed and delegate photos soon to come...Convention 2009

CLC One Day Educational

Posted March 2, 2010 (original post date - February 12, 2010)

Steward III: The Steward as Leader and Collective Bargaining being offered by the CLC in conjunction with the Federation of Labour origionally scheduled for March 8, 2010 at the Rodd Charlottetown has been changed to sometime in May. Registration is currently full.

Job relocation not the answer

Posted February 24, 2010

The President of the Union of Public Sector Employees, Shelley Ward, said "the Premier should reconsider moving twelve employees in the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal from Charlottetown and the surrounding area to Tignish. These people are well established in their communities and some have young families. They are now faced will selling their homes and moving to Tignish, or commuting for almost four hours every day. ...read more here

President's Commentary: Budget Advice from National Union to Harper government

Posted February 16, 2010

The top priority for the upcoming federal budget must be to preserve and create good jobs. The budget should also invest in building a healthier, smarter, greener and more secure Canada, says NUPGE president, James Clancy...more on this commentary here

In PEI UPSE's View...

Posted February 8, 2010

Are you a Health Department employee and confused as to what you can do with your Vacation time (carryover), Time in Lieu bank, or Stat time? PEI UPSE has designed this newsletter with just you in mind, click on the link, In PEI UPSE's view...

Congratulations Team PEI!

Posted Feb 8, 2010

PEI UPSE wishes to congratulate member, Tricia Affleck, and her teammates on Team Prince Edward Island's acheivment of silver medals in the 2010 Scott Tournament of Hearts. The team consists of (L-R) Erin Carmody, Geri-Lynn Ramsay, Skip, Kathy O'Rourke and Lead, Tricia Affleck. Missing from photo is Shelley Bradley. A reception is planned to welcome the team home and celebrate their success on February 9, 2010 at 5:00 at the Charlottetown Curling Club. Everyone is invited to attend.

Your help is needed

Posted January 26, 2010

The Union of Public Sector Employees (UPSE) urges members and the general public to make individual donations to help the people of Haiti.

Haiti was hit by a major earthquake on January 12, 2010 that has reportedly killed as many as 200,000 people. There are at least two million people who are now homeless in Haiti and are in desperate need of our help. Makeshift camps are overflowing with survivors and small medical clinics set up are unable to treat all the patients that need help. The survivors are also at increased risk from the threat of disease with little or no sanition. For details on how you can help, read here...

Weeklong Educational goes April 18-23, 2010

Posted January 26, 2010

Debbie Johnston, Chair of the UPSE Education and Occupational Health & Safety Committee, is pleased to announce that the Canadian Labour Congress Atlantic Region in conjunction with the Labour College of Canada are offering a weeklong educational which will take place at the Memramcook Institute in St. Joseph NB during the week of April 18-23, 2010. Two courses are being offered to UPSE members: X,Y or Boomer? Talking between generations in the Union and Campaign Organizing (English). For more information and application form, see here...

Occupational Health and Safety Act

Posted January 26, 2010

The Prince Edward Island Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations exist to establish a minimum standard of health and safety in Island workplaces. The act is built on the Internal Responsibility System (IRS), where everyone works together to keep the workplace safe. The Act gives all workers three rights: UPSE Accent

Is a Health Corporation Really the Answer?

Posted January 7, 2009

The provincial government recently announced that the health system on PEI will be operated by a new arm's length corporation called the PEI Health Services Corporation. The Union of Public Sector Employees is questioning the prudence of yet another attempt to restructure the health system, especially at a time when fiscal order is paramount....read more here

UPSE Has a Heart

Posted January 6, 2009

Are you a non-profit or charitable organization seeking financial support? The UPSE has a heart team is looking for a proposal from your organization!

To present your proposal (5 minutes max) please call the UPSE office at (902)892-5335 by 4:00 p.m. on January 29, 2010 to reserve your time. Organizations will make their presentations to the Public Relations Committee on February 2, 2010 with the successful candidates being announced on Valentine's Day. Please note administrative funding will not be considered.

UPSE gives out $5500 in bursaries

Posted January 5, 2010

President Shelley Ward and Public Relations and Recreation/Convention Committee Chair, Karen Jackson, recently handed out $5500 in bursaries to UPSE member dependants. The winner of the $1000 Laurie Jenkins Memorial Scholarship, which is based on community involvement, was awarded to Sarah Bulman. Katherine Roach won the Julie MacKay scholarship valued at $500. The remaining $500 bursaries went to Ian Byrne, Bruce Constable, Ashton Gallant, Jaimee Gillis, Rebecca Griffin, Amber Hill, Molly Pineau and Alannah Stiles. Recipient photos here