PSAC Local 20150

Dear friends and union activists,

The month of May is Asian Heritage Month; a time to recognize and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian descent. In December 2001, the Senate adopted a motion proposed by Senator Vivienne Poy to officially designate May as Asian Heritage Month in Canada. In May 2002, the Government of Canada signed an official declaration to announce May as Asian Heritage Month. https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/asian-heritage-month/about.html

This month is an important time to learn and listen to the stories of Asian-Canadians, while acknowledging the systemic barriers and discrimination that racialized Canadians faced and continue to experience today.

The theme this year is Stories of Determination. It is through this theme that we acknowledge that each person has a unique story to tell, anchored in a diverse and rich history. Communities of Asian origin have shown strength and resilience throughout the last two centuries. This year’s theme represents these aspects -both the stories of Asian communities in Canada and the challenges they overcame to thrive and to contribute to our country. Please click on the following link to learn more about the Significant events in the history of Asian communities in Canada. - https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/asian-heritage-month/important-events.html

Let’s promote diversity and inclusion through concrete actions in our union and communities at large. These actions can vary from taking part in an event held in our communities or reading books about the influences of Asian Canadians throughout Canada’s history. There are many opportunities to participate and celebrate this month and I encourage each of you to find an opportunity to be engaged in some way.

Below are some resources that are available and I encourage you to read and take the opportunity to learn about the unique experiences of Asian Canadians.

Ask Me Anything Asian Heritage Month

The Ask Me Anything series is a platform to share stories, listen, ask respectful questions, and continue our journey to becoming more inclusive in our workplaces and the society we live in. Please listen to their last recording of last year’s session on Asian Heritage Month.

2023 — Anniversaries of significance in Canada

This year marks the 100^th year of the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923, which banned all Chinese immigrants from Canada for 24 years. Please take the time to learn more about the significance of this Act and its impact on the Chinese Canadian community.

The story of the Komagata Maru:  https://humanrights.ca/story/story-komagata-maru

This month, let us take a step together in learning and recognizing the contributions of communities of Asian origin in Canada. Also, let's take the time to listen to the Stories of Determination of those around us.

We can’t change the past, but together and with our positive actions, we can influence the present for a better future.

Happy Asian Heritage Month to you all!

In Solidarity,

Celine Ahodekon

Coordinator, Racially Visible Members of PSAC BC & Yukon

Follow

We have a Whatsapp group for our members.

FAQ: Treasury Board bargaining

You can update your contact information online by logging in to PSAC’s member portal or creating an account.https://psacunion.ca/user

If you have any issues logging in or creating your account, please reach out to our dedicated team by visiting the Contact Us page and choosing “PSAC online account help” from the dropdown menu.

Follow

It is time to have our AGM. A Zoom link will be sent out to all members who have provided their personal email address to PSAC.

Follow

You must be a member in good standing to vote, attend meetings, and be represented. Sign your union card at Psacunion.ca/rand You may update your contact info via email unelocal20150pres at gmail.com

Register for strike vote sessions. Your voting ballot info has been emailed to you from communications at psac-afpc.vote It may be in your promotions/junk mailbox. If you did not receive this email, you may need to update your contact info.

Note that our local must have an AGM asap. 30 days notice will be posted here soon.

Follow

August 6, 2022

12 noon - 3 PM

Memorial Park South, Vancouver

Facilitator: Vancouver AC

The PSAC Vancouver Area Council is once again hosting their annual BBQ for PSAC members!

Join us for food, games, and the opportunity to meet and network with fellow union members.

August 6, 12:00 noon to 3 PM
Memorial Park South, Vancouver – near 41st and Fraser, map here.
Please bring chairs or a blanket to sit on as well as your own cutlery, plates, and drink containers etc. to help us reduce waste.

For more information, email the Vancouver Area Council at PSACBC-AC-Vancouver@psac-afpc.com

All PSAC members and their families are invited! Please RSVP below before July 29 to help us plan for food.

https://psacbc.com/events/vancouver-area-council-bbq/

Follow

Call to Order by the Chairperson, Ruby Langan
Roll Call of Officers
Approval of minutes of the March 9, 2020 AGM (copies will be available before the meeting)
Report of the President, Ruby Langan
Report of the Treasurer, Alexis Fells
Presentation and Approval of 2021 Budget
Nomination and Election of Officers (see below)
Adjournment

Executive positions to be elected are:
• Vice-President (odd years)
• Treasurer (odd years)
• Health & Safety Representative (vacant)
• Human Rights Representative (odd years)

Follow

The course explains what strikes are and provides basic information about the roles and responsibilities of union members during work stoppages. This includes strike preparedness and what happens when members vote to strike.

For more information and to apply:

http://psacbc.com/strike-mobilization-preparedness-training-half-day

Follow

UNE Triennial Convention will be held virtually September 13-17, 2021 http://une-sen.org/events/convention/

UNE Local 20150 is entitled to three delegates.  Election will be held April 28 at 3 pm via Zoom.

Contact the Local at Local20150@gmail.com for more information.

Follow

Sisters in Spirit Vigils celebrate, honour and support Indigenous women, girls and their families. Attend a vigil in your community.

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls has concluded. Indigenous women and girls suffer higher rates of violence and homicide than non-Indigenous women and girls. The Final Report is available online at: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/ There are many personal and systemic changes we need to make in this country. We recognize and thank the Native Women’s Association of Canada (nwac.ca) for their dedication to enhance, promote and foster the well-being of Indigenous women.

As an Indigenous woman representative in my worker union, I am learning about the challenges and solutions available. I am grateful for the recent learnings I have received from Colleen Hele-Cardinal, in Algonquin territory, and Hummingbirds Rising Consulting, in Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil waututh territory. I am encouraged by my worker union’s initiation of a Reconciliation policy paper. There is much to learn.

All my relations,

Ruby Langan, Anishnaabe

UNE National Equity Representative for Aboriginal Peoples

Follow