Updates

As many of you know our dear colleague, Diane Leduc-Doran, has been off work on Disability leave since January 1, 2017, battling both Lyme Disease and a badly damaged liver which was attacked four years ago (probably by the Lyme Disease bacteria). Recently, her situation has become urgent, and we are looking for an immediate living or deceased liver donor through the University Health Network (Toronto General).

On Sunday, September 24, 2017 our USGE National Executive represented all USGE members by participating in the Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ National Memorial Day in Ottawa. This National Memorial Day honors the dedication of all police and peace officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our communities.

On August 30th, 2017, USGE National President Stan Stapleton, Regional Vice President Lynette Robinson, Acting Regional Vice President Laurie Ann Wesselby and a group of USGE volunteers from Miramichi Firearms, the Atlantic Institution and Dorchester Institution hosted a pizza lunch for the 745 employees of the Pay Center in Miramichi, NB to thank them for their hard work throughout the Phoenix pay debacle.

The Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT), with contribution from USGE, released yesterday the results of a year-long national mental health study of public safety personnel in Canada. The study, entitled “Mental Disorder symptoms among Public Safety Personnel in Canada” reveals that a high proportion of public safety personnel report symptoms consistent with one or more mental disorders including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. 

The Union of Solicitor General Employees and its over 15,000 members vehemently condemn the vicious acts of racism, hatred and violence perpetrated by Nazi and white supremacist groups in Charlottesville Virginia over the past weekend. We stand in solidarity with those who directly challenged these groups and offer our sincere condolences to the family of Heather Heyer who lost her life while standing up to the racist violence.

As of Thursday, August 10th, USGE continues to be in discussions with CSC related to the Dynamic Risk Assessment for Offender Reintegration (DRAOR) and Electronic Monitoring pilots. At the present time, USGE’s position remains unchanged and, as we advised in June, USGE is encouraging members to NOT participate in the DRAOR pilot.

Given that employees are paid in arrears, members in the SV and TC groups should have begun seeing new rates starting with the July 26 pay day. Your new salary rate should now be reflected in your pay. If you find any mistakes in your pay, contact the human resources unit in your department and notify your PSAC union representative.

Over the course of the August 5, 2017 weekend, the employer began the salary update for members of the Programs and Administrative Services Group (PA).

Earlier this summer, on June 6, 2017, former USGE Regional Vice President Nancy Burton and Local President Stacey Gauthier of Local 20156 Mountain Institution awarded Erika Eastman a $2,500.00 Paul Gascon scholarship on behalf of USGE. The award was presented at the morning briefing with many Local USGE members in attendance.