The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
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BC/Yukon AFS Regional Representative

Report for the 2019 AFS AGM

This will be my last report as the AFS Regional Representative for BC/Yukon as I will not be running for re-election as I will be retiring. It has been my pleasure to serve you over the past four years. During this time I was on several committees including Membership and Stewards, National Health and Safety Policy Committee, Consultation, Employee Worklife Balance, Compensation (Phoenix) and the Bargaining Team.

The collective agreement between CRA and the AFS group expired on Dec. 21, 2017. A new round of bargaining began shortly after and the AFS bargaining team is hoping for a quicker resolution than the last time, which took over three years.  Our success in getting a good contract was in part due to the mobilization of our members by displaying the visibility items and by promoting the visibility of public services in our communities.

On the regional level, I attended the six subgroup AGMs in BC. It was a great opportunity to meet the subgroup executives, stewards and hear the members’ concerns and issues firsthand. I have participated in the quarterly Regional Union Management Consultation Committee meetings where we brought forward our concerns about the many Phoenix pay issues, external staffing concerns, and use of Non-Advertised Staffing. The subgroup presidents and I have worked with Maureen Phelan, Regional Assistant Commissioner, the Regional Director of Human Resources, Manager of Labour Relations and Directors of each office to ensure your concerns and issues are heard. Your issues are important to us, so please continue to inform us about your concerns and issues.

I would like to thank the AFS National executive and negotiators for all of their support and friendship over the past four years.  They are very passionate about defending and improving the rights for AFS and PIPSC members. They are the most knowledgeable and hardest working group of people I have been associated with.

I would also like to thank all of the BC/Yukon subgroup presidents, their executives and stewards for their hard work and dedication.

Better Together,

Phil Choo

BC/Yukon AFS Regional Representative

Phone: 250-415-7246

Email: philchoo@pipsc.ca