We have achieved a major success in our challenge to CRA's arbitrary plans to force a thousand of our AFS members in the GTA to relocate. Due to the efforts of our stewards and members, we were notified on August 15th that CRA intends to go back to their objectives and consult with us on how to achieve those objectives.
To our members at the Department of National Defence (DND),
As you are certainly aware, the federal government has just awarded a huge $5B contract to the private sector “for in service support, including refit, repair and maintenance and training for the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) and Joint Support Ships (JSS).”
This latest example of the Department’s over-reliance on outsourced services follows the recent Strong, Secure, and Engaged report, which left little doubt that outsourcing will form a major part of DND’s future. The government appears unwilling to acknowledge the need to invest in its own professionals, who work tirelessly to support the Canadian military.
Instead of outsourcing Canada’s security and defence capability to the private sector, DND should reduce its dependence on external contractors and begin reinvesting in the public service professionals it already employs. Decreasing federal reliance on public-private partnerships should also be a priority.
I have written to the Minister of National Defence not only to make sure he is aware of our members’ concerns, but to call for an immediate review of this procurement strategy and the extent of contracted out services in the Department. Such a review is essential to ensure that investments are being made in the public interest, not those of profit-driven multinational corporations.
In Solidarity,
Debi Daviau
President
Dear Applied Science and Patent Examination (SP) Group Members at 401 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC,
One of the first ideas to increase engagement in the new 401 Burrard Street PIPSC Sub-group is to have casual monthly Coffee Chats. Every 2nd Thursday of the month from 1:30 to 2pm, SP group members will have an opportunity to drop into the 16th floor lunchroom for complimentary coffee/tea, and chat with stewards/subgroup executive. Members can ask questions, receive new information, or just come say hi.
Dear Applied Science and Patent Examination (SP) Group Members at 401 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC,
We are pleased to inform you of a new SP Sub-group at 401 Burrard Street! This new subgroup will make it easier to have engagement events closer to work, have a new executive with fresh ideas, and have a greater voice for local issues. There are over 160 SP group members in the building! The new sub-group webpage can be found on the PIPSC website here.
Fellow AV Group members:
The deadline for the Employer to process your retroactive pay is August 26, 2017. Some, but not all, AV Group members have already received it. In all cases, be assured that the Institute is ready to use every means at its disposal to ensure that you receive the complete, accurate amount you are are owed.
I would like to invite you to march in this year’s Labour Day Parade.
The details are as follows:
First Parade: 1872
Organizer: Toronto and York Region Labour Council – a component of Canadian Labour of Congress
PIPSC Organizers: Din Kamaldin - dkamaldin@aol.com
Peter Gilkinson - petergilkinson@bell.net
Date: Monday September 4th, 2017
Time parade begins: 9:30 a.m.
Start Location: Dundas and University
