PBC Renewal Initiative

In 2011, the Parole Board of Canada launched its Renewal Initiative. This corporate-wide examination of the PBCs processes and operations had as a goal the recommendation of effective decision-making models and a best-practices organizational structure.

Budget 2014: Same old, same old

With Jim Flahertys budget 2014, it’s just another case of déjà vu. The Harper government is quite pleased with itself, since it is on track to balance the books next year. And most Canadians appear to like this. Whats not obvious is that this balancing will come on the backs of the public service employees. More cuts, more WFA equals less programs and less services

Your union at work for your health and safety

Brothers Mike Arseneault, RVP Atlantic and Claude Duchesneau, RVP Quebec, were instrumental in persuading CSC to recognize that employees and inmates working in food services areas need to wear appropriate footwear. Brothers Arsenault and Duchesneau are USGE’s representatives on CSC’s National Policy Health and Safety Committee (NPHSC). 

Evaluation of CSC’s education programs taking place

The end of January will prove to be an important time for our members working in the field of offender education. An evaluation team has been tasked with the assessment of CSC’s education programs in advancing offender academic development and achieving improved correctional outcomes. The focus is on the continued relevance of education programs and their effectiveness and efficiency. 

Penny wise pound foolish Treasury Board at it again

In a misguided attempt to save a few dollars on the backs of its employees, Treasury Board recently provided direction to Departments advising of changes to the method employed to calculate rates of pay upon promotions, deployments and actings for employees covered by the SV collective agreement.

RCMP Mental Health Strategy Advisory Group update

During this meeting, the group approved Terms of Reference, an Action Plan as well as a draft Strategy for what will ultimately be a five year project. USGE is the only public service bargaining agent representative on this committee, a relatively tight-knit group that will be dealing with heavy meeting schedules and tight response deadlines. 

A breath of fresh air at Public Safety Canada

In an recent InfoBulletin, François Guimont, Deputy Minister and Robin Kers, USGE LRO, co-chairs of the National Labour Management Consultation Committee at PSC, issued a joint statement where the importance of employee involvement as representatives in occupational health and safety and union activities was recognized and encouraged.