2010
October 29, 2010 Issue 10-18 Changes to supplementary health benefits scrapped
The proposed major changes to the Northwest Territories supplemental health benefits policy are now being scrapped according to an announcement made by Health Minister Sandy Lee.
Lee has stated that in light of strong opposition from seniors and other residents whose coverage for glasses, dental care and prescription medications would have been reduced or cancelled under the proposed changes, she has decided not to go ahead with the changes.
At a May rally at the Legislative Assembly that blasted the plan changes, David Wind of the Yellowknife Seniors Society said that the changes were really an excuse for “levying a tax on the sick and elderly.” Protestors at the rally agreed loudly.
MLAs Robert Hawkins, Dave Ramsay and Glen Abernethy all agreed that the changes to the plan were ill-advised. Hawkins called the planned changes “morally wrong” and Ramsay challenged Minister Lee to make the changes an election issue.
UNW President Todd Parsons has said that although this was not a Union issue, he was glad to see the Minister of Health relent on this issue. “Her constituents didn’t want these changes, and neither did a great many other northerners,” he said. “I’m glad she is finally listening to the voters. After all, that is what she was elected to do.”
July 20, 2010 Fax Facts 10-14
51 scholarship applications were received this year for the ten $3,000 awards. The applications are being judged and the winners will be contacted late in August.
The Josie Gould Scholarship was established in 2002 when Sister Gould retired from the public service and active union work. She was awarded a lifetime union membership that year to recognize her long standing union involvement dating back to 1970.
Sister Gould also spent a great deal of time and effort supporting and encouraging healthy activity for northern youths.
Sister Gould passed away in 2008 and the scholarship was renamed the Josie Gould Memorial Scholarship.
When this year’s winners receive their scholarship awards, the fund will have given out $270,000 to help northern students pursue higher education.
Winners of the 10 awards for 2010 will be announced early in September.
June 28 Fax Facts 10-13
Local 3 ( Inuvik Region) General Meeting
A General Meeting will be held June 30th 2010 starting at 7 p.m.
The meeting will take place in the UNW office on the 2nd floor of the Inuvik Rexall Drugstore.
Those who wish to attend by Conference call can use the following number.
1—866—969—8429
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The 5th Triennial Convention of PSAC North will take place June 17 - 19, 2011 in Iqaluit, Nunavut.PSAC North represents all members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada working or residing in the North.
For more information please visit the website at www.psacnorth.com.
Registration forms, delegate kits and much more are all available on the PSAC North website.
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14 June 2010 Last Pitch to MLAs on Supplementary Health
Members and Friends of the Yellowknife Seniors’ Society, The Society expects that the Working Group of MLA’s will be meeting over the next ten days or so to examine the proposed changes to Extended Health Benefits. So far they have determined that there will not be opportunities for members of the public to present their views directly. MLA’s however will be afforded an opportunity to do so. Whether Yellowknife MLA’s will be prepared to provide the committee with their views is uncertain. The Working Group is slated to make its report to Cabinet at the end of June.
The Yellowknife Seniors’ Society urges each and every one of you to contact your MLA and tell them how you feel about the changes to the Extended Health Benefits. Urge him or her to convey your views to the Working Group. It will be our last good chance to save the Extended Health Benefits. To assist you, the three main elements of the Society’s position are summarized below:
1. Whatever happens to supplementary health, the Non-Aboriginal and Métis programs funded by the GNWT should treat all residents the same. If one group does not have to make a co-payment, neither should another group. To do otherwise would be discriminatory.
2. Co-payments are just made by those who are sick and those who are elderly. The costs of health care should be borne by all members of society. Co-payments unfairly place additional burdens on those who are least able to bear them.
3. The tax system is already set up so that those who are able to pay a little more are required to do so. That is where any additional funding for Extended Health Benefits should be found.
Please take a moment to get in touch with your MLA and let them know how you feel. Thank you, and best regards,
Merlyn Williams President, Yellowknife Seniors Society
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Fax Facts 10-11 June 1, 2010
Local 1 in Yellowknife will hold it Annual General Meeting
Thursday June 17, 2010 at 7:00 pm
at
UNW Headquarters Building - 200, 5112 - 52nd St. Yellowknife
Members outside Yellowknife can attend by teleconference. The Conference call number is 1-866-413-7178 BUT you will need a code number to participate in the meeting. Get the code number from our receptionst. Call the Union toll free at
1-877-906-4447
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Fax Facts 10-09 March 8, 2010
Joint Release: Vacation Pay for Casual Employees
The Government of the Northwest Territories and Union of Northern Worker’s are pleased to announce a negotiated settlement, to an outstanding grievance, regarding the earning of vacation leave or vacation pay when a casual employee does not receive pay for 10 days in a calendar month.
Past Practice
In the past, casual employees hired for less than four months did not accrue vacation leave, but did receive 6% of salary as vacation pay. Casual employees hired for more than four months, who received pay for less than 10 days in a calendar month did not earn vacation leave credits nor did they receive 6% vacation pay in lieu of earning leave credits. The parties acknowledged this is contrary to the Public Service Act and Regulations.
Negotiated settlement
As part of the negotiated settlement with the UNW, the GNWT agreed to pay vacation pay at 6% of salary to all casual employees who received neither 6% vacation pay, nor accrued any vacation leave in a particular month, during the period November 16, 2004 to March 31, 2008.
If you are a current or former casual employee, and believe you may be entitled to retroactive vacation pay for previous casual employment as a UNW member, you must notify the GNWT and provide details of this employment by completing and submitting the attached form to:
The Payroll Office, Department of Human Resources
P.O Box. 1320, Lang Building- 2nd Floor, X1A 2L9, N.T or email it tocasualvacationpay@gov.nt.ca
The deadline to self-identify is 30 June 2010. The parties have agreed not to extend this date for any reason.
Retroactive pay for employees will be made in a lump sum payment at a rate of 6% of their salary at the time, for any months in which they are deemed eligible.
Commencing April 1, 2008 the GNWT also agreed to provide all Casual employees as well as all Indeterminate and Term employees, with their vacation leave entitlements so long as they are paid for at least one day in a month with the following exceptions:
- Employees must be paid for 10 days in the calendar month when beginning or ending their employment with the Public Service in order to receive their vacation leave entitlement for the that particular month.
- Employees must be paid for 10 days in the calendar month when beginning or returning from any long-term leave (except maternity, parental, sick leave without pay, or compassionate leave without pay), in order to receive their vacation leave entitlement for that particular month.
- The GNWT will provide part-time employees with vacation leave entitlements (as outlined above) on a pro-rated basis.
- Effective April 1, 2011 all leave accrual will be earned hourly, based on all regular hours and paid leave.
For further information regarding this settlement please contact:
Roxanna Baisi, Director, Membership Services, Union of Northern Workers’
(867) 873-5668 extension 228 or; Email: dms@unw.ca
A self identification form is provided here:
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Fax Facts 10-07 February 19, 2010
New Website Launch
The UNW has redesigned its website and launched the new site. The website address is still the same -- www.unw.ca -- but the content and appearance have changed.
President, Todd Parsons, invites all members to check out the site. If you have suggestions for improving the site, contact us with your ideas.
We will be continuously updating the site, so we invite you to check it out often.
2010 PSAC National Access Conference
“Let’s Focus On Our Abilities”
The 2010 PSAC National Access Conference will be held June 4 - 6, 2010 at the Westin Hotel, Ottawa, Ontario under the theme "LET'S FOCUS ON OUR ABILITIES!".
PSAC members in good standing who also identify as being a member with a disability may apply to this conference.
The deadline for applications is March 4, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. EST.
Go to psacnorth.com for registration forms and more information.
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Fax Facts 10-03 - January 26, 2010
Labour Studies at Athabasca University
Here is an new and exciting Labour education opportunity for UNW/PSAC members.
Athabasca University is offering a 21 week distance education course. This is a challenging university level program. PSAC/UNW is looking for 10 to 20 members to take the course.
The registration fee is $570.30. Participants will need to cover the cost initially and PSAC North will reimburse $200 to members who successfully complete the course. UNW members who successfully complete the course will be reimbursed an additional $370.30.
The start date will most likely be towards the end of March or beginning of April 2010.
Course information can be found at the following address:
http://www.athabascau.ca/courses/lbst/202/index.htm
This is a challenging course that involves exercises, assignments and tests. The benefits to your involvement in the labour movement will be with you for a lifetime.
Interested members should contact Jean-Francois Des Lauriers PSAC REVP North by email at deslauj@psac-afpc.com. Or by phone at 867-669-0991.
Space is limited and will be on a first come, first served basis.
Interested parties need to contact Jean-Francois Des Lauriers by February 21st, 2010.
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Fax Facts 10-01 - January 21, 2010
PSAC Haiti Relief Fund
PSAC would like to express its solidarity with the people of Haiti following the devastating earthquake that struck at the heart of this nation on the afternoon of January 12, 2010.
PSAC calls on our members and allies to mobilize all efforts possible to provide assistance to the people of Haiti who have suffered a great loss of life, and the collapse of vital infrastructure and public services as the result of the earthquake.
There is an urgent and immediate need for disaster relief assistance, including clean water, food, shelter and medical assistance on the ground. PSAC Social Justice Fund has already channeled funds to provide emergency medical services in the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Furthermore, the SJF is working with Public Services International and other unions and humanitarian relief organizations to ensure that the emergency aid provided today will contribute to long-term improvements, sustainable development and a better tomorrow for the Haitian people.
Over several decades, Haiti has been struck hard by a series of natural and man-made disasters in the form of hurricanes, drought, deforestation, coup d’états, foreign intervention, debt burden and the privatization of public services. We join our voices with that of the International Trade Union Movement which calls on a concerted international effort not just to assist the Haitian people during this time of crisis, but to work towards canceling the debt and alleviating the poverty which has struck this nation and its people.
PSAC, through its Social Justice Fund, is committed to mobilizing immediate emergency relief for victims of the earthquake. In addition, we will provide support over the long term to help the Haitian people rebuild their lives, communities, public services, infrastructure, economy and social organizations, including trade unions, women’s groups, youth groups and social justice movements in the country.
Contributions to the PSAC Social Justice Fund from Locals, Components and Regions, marked Haitian Earthquake Relief will be greatly appreciated by the Haitian people. Half the amount raised will be used to provide the Haitians people with immediate disaster relief, with the remainder going to long term rebuilding projects.
To contribute, please contact Louise Casselman in the Social Justice Fund office at: 613-560-5494, or cassell@psac-afpc.com
In Solidarity,
John Gordon
National President