The firing last week of long-serving Québec government agronomist Louis Robert for making public claims of “private-sector interference in a public study of pesticide use” reminds us of the importance of defending public science and showing solidarity with both whistleblowers and the unions that represent them.

We therefore express our solidarity with M. Robert and the Syndicat de professionnelles et professionnelles du gouvernement du Québec (SPGQ) and encourage others to do the same.

Governments should never turn a blind eye to the concerns of professional government employees, especially ones brave enough to bring such issues to public attention.

Transparency shouldn’t come at the cost of one’s career.

Signed by the members of the Professional Union Network of Canada,

AMAPCEO - Ontario's Professional Employees
ACFO - AFAC
Professional Employees Association (PEA)
Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC)

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) mourns the death of a true friend and supporter, former Ottawa-Centre MP Paul Dewar, who died of brain cancer at the age of 56 on February 6, 2019.

As MP between 2006 and 2015 for a riding with one of the highest concentrations of federal employees, Paul supported federal scientists in their fight for the right to speak and was an outspoken advocate for human rights, labour, strong community, and youth – in particular, through the recent establishment of Youth Action Now, an organization dedicated to “creating a world that is fair, inclusive and sustainable.”

In memory of Paul’s contributions to our community, PIPSC has made a donation to Youth Action Now.

PIPSC extends its deepest condolences to his family and friends.

February 6 marks the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Professional Institute in 1920.

As we reflect on our history, we can be proud of our achievements: our pay equity victories, the socially progressive family leave package which improved maternity, paternity and adoption leaves; pay plans for incumbent-based work of scientists; career development packages for maintenance and enhancement of professional qualifications; and the dental, health and workforce reduction plans over the past decades.

We are the people who do the things that matter to all Canadians – we look after our water quality and our national food supply; inspect our children’s toys; supervise our financial institutions and pension plans; provide severe weather warnings; and ensure that the government has the money it needs to keep the programs we have come to consider part of our national identity from disappearing. These are only some of the tasks Institute members perform every day to safeguard the well-being and security of our fellow citizens.

As we look back on these first 99 years, we can be justifiably proud of the commitment and determination that PIPSC members have always shown in overcoming the numerous obstacles that have confronted them over the years. As it enters its 100th year, the Institute will continue to stand up for its members, to do everything in its power to protect their hard-earned rights, and to ensure that their valuable contributions are recognized by their respective employers and appreciated by Canadians from coast-to-coast.

We’ve come a long way since 1920, in large part because we have stood together through challenging times. Let us take pride in our accomplishments and be encouraged to face the challenges of the future with renewed energy and commitment.

On November 28, PIPSC - BC/Yukon Region - Yukon Branch demonstrated support for fellow unionists of PSCAC YEU who are on strike in Whitehorse. The branch made a generous donation of $1000 to support PSAC Many Rivers’ counsellors and staff.
 

PSAC YEU articulate well that “you cannot care for others if you are unable to care for yourself. In a workplace that does not provide fairness, respect and transparency, fighting for our rights and the rights of our clients is exhausting and unsustainable.”

Learn more about why PSAC YEU members have been pushed to strike: https://www.yeu.ca/why_we_are_striking

The PIPSC 2019 Young Workers Forum is taking place on Friday, February 15th and Saturday, February 16th, 2019 in Gatineau, Quebec.

This Forum is a unique opportunity for young workers (age 40 or under) to participate in a two-day session focused on campaign planning and skills training. The goal is to develop strategies to engage young workers in the union and strengthen regional young workers’ committees.

Participants will connect with other young professionals from across the country and to develop and implement a national campaign that responds to priorities and interests of young workers.

While PIPSC, alongside our union partners at the National Joint Council Dental Care Board of Management, is still negotiating hard to improve the majority of our members’ dental plan (NJC Component 55555), I am very pleased to announce that we have nailed down the following significant improvements, effective January 1, 2019. The major and minor changes to the plans starting next month are as follows:

Major changes

The annual maximum coverage for routine and major services will increase 47%. The increase will be phased in from the current maximum of $1,700 per year to:

• $2,000 per year starting January 1, 2019;
• $2,250 per year starting January 1, 2020; and
• $2,500 per year starting January 1, 2021.

In addition,

• Dental implants will be covered in their own right. (Currently, implants are partially covered by deeming them to be another procedure, i.e., a bridge or dentures. This has often led to gaps in, or problems with, coverage.)
• Coverage for replacement fillings for children will be possible 12 months after the initial filling is done (instead of 24 months).
• Congenitally missing teeth will be covered until age 21 (up from age 19).
• Coverage during suspensions is improved.
• An allowable break in service to become eligible for the plan is extended from 5 to 7 days.  
• The new plan allows coverage for extra scaling to be approved retroactively. (Currently, this may only be approved in advance.)

Minor changes

• Charges for oral hygiene instructions will now be limited to once per lifetime per adult (and remain once per year for children).
• Coverage is eliminated for minor issues such as:
  • The assistance of a second oral surgeon.
  • Dental professional peer consultation.
  • Trauma control if done at the same time as treatment for caries or pain control.
  • Enlargement of the canal or pulp chamber as a part of dental treatment separate from doing a root canal.

For clarification on any of these plan changes please contact Dejan Toncic at dtoncic@pipsc.ca.

Better Together,

Debi Daviau
President

On October 29th the Federal Government announced proactive pay equity legislation which would require federally regulated workplaces to examine their compensation practices and ensure that women and men receive equal pay for equal work. PIPSC President Debi Daviau along with CLC President Hassan Yussuf shared their analysis of this legislation on PrimeTime Politics. President Debi Daviau emphasized the importance and urgency of this legislation as well as the need for adequate consultation to ensure effective implementation. Further, the President said her organization is confident the government, as an employer, "will show the way to all the private ones." 

See the full response from the labour movement as PIPSC President Debi Daviau, CLC President Hassan Yussuf, PSAC President Chris Aylward and Johanne Perron of the Pay Equity Coalition provide comments in a press conference following the legislative announcement.

On November 20, workplaces and communities across Canada and around the world will take the time to observe Transgender Day of Remembrance and commemorate those individuals who have lost their lives or faced violence and discrimination due to transphobia. It is also a time to consider the harassment and discrimination trans people face, and what we must do to eliminate it.

PIPSC encourages members to join commemorative events in their communities.

Note members are attending the Ottawa ceremony all in the region are welcome.

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Iris Craig November 4, 2018. 

One of the Institute’s longest-serving Presidents, Iris Craig was first elected President on January 1, 1986 and retired on December 31, 1993. At that time, PIPSC represented 34,000 members under 52 separate occupational groups under 13 different employers.

Iris led PIPSC during difficult times when the public service was cut back to mid-1970s levels, and the government threatened to cut 2,000 jobs for every 1% gained at the bargaining table.

On the day the House of Commons resumed in September 1990, 20,000 public service employees converged on Parliament Hill to protest the government’s back-to-work and wage freeze legislation. In 1991, the CS group and the 4,000 members of the Auditing Group (who had just joined PIPSC in 1988) went on strike.

Under Iris’ leadership, the Institute lobbied for the creation of National Public Service Week in 1992.  

Under the theme, “Dialogue with Canadians,” a series of pamphlets, “They Work for You”—profiling the work of individual PIPSC members in different occupations – was published and distributed to every Canadian university, public library, and Member of Parliament.   

Appointed by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney to the Advisory Committee on the Public Service Superannuation Act, Iris defended members’ pensions as the Act was reviewed.

For several years, Iris presented an annual report, “Dialogue with Parliament,” to the federal government, which covered such issues as public service cuts, outsourcing, public science, pensions, pay equity, whistleblowing, and deprofessionalization of the public service. 

Iris championed members’ interests on pay equity, the regressive public service reform “PS 2000,” threats to the Superannuation Act, the government’s Universal Job Evaluation Plan, and many other challenges.

Before becoming President, Iris served as Vice-President for nine years and as Finance Chair for eight years.

Iris worked as a biologist at Agriculture Canada for 25 years. Her work involved fundamental and applied research in plant breeding on cereal crops, and her research was published in many scientific journals.

Active in the community, Iris served on the Board of Governors of Carleton University and the Board of Directors of the United Way for many years.

The Institute extends its condolences to Iris’ family and to the many friends and colleagues who were privileged to know her.

Condolences and memories can be expressed online.

Funeral services for Iris Craig will take place on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 2 p.m. at the Capital Funeral Home, 3700 Prince of Wales Drive, Nepean, Ontario. Visitation: 12:30 p.m. November 10, 2018.

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