Tamara Critch

Hello CS/IT members. Some of you may recognize my name but I have been around a long time. So I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and give you a brief synopsis of my CS/IT background.

I have been a CS/IT for 21 years working in the Atlantic and National Capital Region areas, therefore I have a unique awareness of the challenges for members in both these geographical areas.

While my Union representative activities began several years ago, I have tried to be useful in those years by participating in:

- PIPSC Steward
- Ottawa Metro Sub-Group Executive - Member-at-large (2 terms)
- CS Contract Proposal Committee
- Ottawa West Sub-Group Executive - Member-at-large, Secretary
- NCR CS Group Regional Organizing Committee

While this is a list of roles, the actions performed range from holding Lunch and Learns, liaised with management on behalf of the members, promptly assisted members with their questions, engaged new members and provided information about the CS/IT Group and helped drafting new Stewards. But the biggest and most important action was that I always acted on behalf of the members' best interests in any way possible.

For the past two years, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the CS/IT members have performed beyond the call of duty to ensure the Canadian Government departments provide continuous and reliable services to all citizens. Even though it may have not been acknowledged by the employer, the Group Executive has worked tirelessly to show their gratitude and appreciation of the work done by its members and continue to do so.

My hope is that you will support my nomination to the Group Executive so that I may bring my perspective and act as your representative. If successful, some of the points I would focus on, but not limited to are:
- negotiate a fair collective agreement
- represent members still affected by the Phoenix pay system
- represent equity portion of the CS/IT group
- assist with the Executive's committee on the contracting out initiative

If elected, I will endeavor to keep facilitating on behalf of the members.

Thank you for your interest in my biography. As always, I am available any time if you have any further questions or concerns my email address is tcritch@pipsc.ca.

Sincerely,

Tamara Critch