The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
Log in

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

Published on 21 August 2017

Coffee Chats

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.

Published on 21 August 2017

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.

Published on 21 August 2017
Your Bargaining Team met with the University in conciliation on August 2, 2017. The conciliator provided by Ontario Labour Relations was unable to help both sides to reach an agreement. Therefore the UOITP asked the conciliator to issue a ‘No Board Report’. This Report simply states that the UOITP and the University have reached an impasse in negotiations. The Report was issued on August 10, 2017 which puts UOITP in a legal strike position on August 27, 2017.
Published on 18 August 2017
Conciliation is a process by which a trade union or an employer can ask the Ontario Ministry of Labour for help in resolving their differences so that they can reach a collective agreement. Either party may apply to the ministry. If parties are in negotiations, they must use the government's conciliation services before they can get into a position to engage in a strike or lock-out.
Published on 18 August 2017

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.

Published on 16 August 2017

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

Published on 16 August 2017

Currently more than 1,500 RO/RCO staff work at the National Research Council -- in the Research Divisions, IRAP, Business Management Services, and Corporate services. Everyone in the NRC RO/RCO group is represented by the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC).

Published on 15 August 2017