THE ADVOCATE Summer 2018 - PEI Union Of Public Sector ...
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Volume 37 Number 3, Summer 2018 www.peiupse.ca
Prince Edward Island Union of Public Sector Employees
Inside: MAILING LABEL
President’s Message pg. 2
Bargaining and Grievance
Update pg. 6 If unable to be delivered, please return to: Union of Public Sector
Employees, 4 Enman Crescent, Charlottetown, PEI C1E 1E6
THE ADVOCATE
Summer 2018
President’s Message
Dear Members, UPSE has provided feedback to the UPSE is currently gathering
Workers Compensation Board regarding information and will be launching
Welcome to the
the proposed changes. UPSE supports a campaign in the fall on workplace
Summer edition
the inclusion of harassment in the OHS violence. This is a serious issue that our
of The Advocate.
act as well as the requirement that members are facing in their workplaces
It certainly
employers adopt a harassment policy to on a daily basis. Violence is not “part of
has been a
govern the workplace. your job” and should not be accepted in
hot summer
any form. We need to work together to
and I want to
Further, we are recommending that the promote workplace health and safety
acknowledge
Karen Jackson WCB consider including a definition of and ensure that members can perform
all our members President, UPSE
bullying in the amendments and that their job duties in non-threatening work
who have been affected
complaints of bullying be addressed in environments.
by these extreme
workplace policies. For more information On a lighter note, our family fun day
conditions in their day-to-day work.
on the proposed changes to the OHS act was a great success this summer. Over
UPSE is raising awareness about the see pg. 9 of this edition of The Advocate. 1,200 members came to Shining Waters
importance of early childhood education It’s the employers responsibility to provide for a day of relaxation and enjoyment
in Prince Edward Island, and the need harassment free, safe workplaces. with their families. UPSE encourages
to better compensate Early Childhood However, many of our members are still membership activities like family fun
Educators (ECEs). It’s essential that we experiencing bullying. We have been day and loves to see members getting
take steps to increase the recruitment and working to have these issues resolved by involved at all levels of union activity.
retention of ECEs in Prince Edward Island. talking to employers about the importance
We can’t afford to lose these of creating respectful workplaces, and I want to thank you, the members
valuable employees or to have fewer have been filing grievances to protect our of UPSE, for your support and
people interested in this career in the members. encouragement. We have worked hard
future because it lacks incentives. We together to improve workplaces for the
need to invest in early childhood Your union continues to deal with the issue membership and for all Islanders.
education so that ECEs are paid of privatization. We have met with Home
Karen Jackson
more in accordance to their skills and Support workers across the province and
President, UPSE
education. See pg. 8 of this edition of The have presented their input to government.
Advocate for more information about this Privatization is not the answer. We need UPSE Executive Officers
important issue. to support and maintain a strong public
President: Karen Jackson
health care system. Our campaign “Home kjackson@peiupse.ca
Another issue on your union’s radar Care - Keep it Public!” was successful in First Vice-President: Doug Ferguson
dferguson@peiupse.ca
concerns PEI’s Occupational Health and creating awareness about the Second Vice-President: Mark Arsenault
maarsenault@gov.pe.ca
Safety (OHS) act which is being updated importance of keeping health care in the
Third Vice-President: Jim Ryan
to include a definition of workplace public domain. jimryan@eastlink.ca
Secretary-Treasurer: Kevin Gotell
harassment. kgotell@peiupse.ca
2 The Advocate - Summer 2018 UPSE www.peiupse.ca
The Women of UPSE
Presidential Election, 2018 Bryan Burt is Director
The upcoming election will be Karen Jack
Jackson is the of Local 13 and Chief
President of UPSE, and Steward, and works in
administered by a mail out/mail in an LPN with Health PEI Network Operations with
ballot process. Ballots will be mailed to at KC Memorial Hospital. the province as a Technical
Support.
all UPSE members in good standing on
August 27, 2018. Members are required
to mail back their ballots by 4:00 p.m.
on September 26, 2018. To ensure that you receive a ballot, please ensure your current contact information
(home address) is up-to-date with the union (call 902-892-5335) or toll free (1-800-897-8773) or e-mail
(peiupse@peiupse.ca)
The union received two nominations for the position of President by the nomination deadline on July 30, 2018.
Karen Jackson and Bryan Burt are the candidates. Note: Members who have not received a ballot by September
10, 2018 may call the office to have a duplicate ballot mailed to their home address. No duplicate ballots will be
issued before September 10.
UPSE Women’s Committee
The UPSE Women’ s Committee promotes the awareness of women’s issues
within UPSE and in the community. The committee encourages the participation
of women at all levels of union activities and work towards the elimination of
barriers to participation; and partners with other groups in the community that
address similar issues.
The Women’s Committee recently donated $750 to Women’s Network PEI and
their work involving women and childcare, women and trades, and women and
political leadership.
Women’s Network PEI is a not-for-profit organization that works to strengthen
and support the efforts of PEI women to improve the status of women in our
society. The Women’s Network:
• promotes the equality of women in PEI through feminist analysis and practice
(L-R) Jillian Kilfoil (Executive Director, Women’s Network PEI)
• provides a forum for the voices of women in PEI and Dina DesRoches (C0-Chair, UPSE Women’s Committee)
• provides opportunities for women to realize power, knowledge, skills, abilities,
vision and financial security
• empowers women through the recognition of women’s achievements and potential, and through listening to women’s voices
UPSE invites the women of the union to participate in any and all future activities the Women’s Committee schedules. For more
information about how to get involved called the union office at 902-892-5335 or e-mail peiupse@peiupse.ca.
www.peiupse.ca UPSE The Advocate - Summer 2018 3
Union Involvement
UPSE Summer Fun Day at Shining Waters Family Fun Park
I want to thank everyone for
coming out to Shining Waters and
taking part in UPSE’s Family Fun Day! It’s
great to see so many members and their
families having fun and enjoying this
popular union event!
Karen Jackson,
President, UPSE
UPSE Wishes Tammy and Cathy All the Best in their Retirement
Tammy Laybolt worked at UPSE for 33 years in the role of
Membership Records Coordinator. She always enjoyed
welcoming new members to UPSE and encouraged members to sign
their membership cards. She said “it was always an interesting job as
there are a variety of tasks to do - no day is exactly the same from typ-
ing collective agreements and working with Labour Relations Officers
through the negotiation process to helping the membership prepare
for annual convention.” Tammy added that “its been a
pleasure to work with the membership and the staff at UPSE. I have
been lucky to have great colleagues over the years and a great employ-
er to work for and I’m so excited about the next chapter of my life.”
For Cathy MacKinnon, who has retired after 12 years of ser-
vice with UPSE as the Resource and Organizing Officer, she said
Pic: (L-R) Tammy Laybolt, Membership Records Coordinator, retires after
“organizing new members and getting to know some of them 33 years of service with UPSE. Cathy MacKinnon, Resource and Organizing
during the organizing process has been a very rewarding experi- Officer, retires after 12 years of service with UPSE.
ence.” In her Resource role, she has had the pleasure of getting to
know many of the members - from fielding calls about contract articles to answering members’ questions about educational
opportunities and providing emotional support when a member finds themselves in a difficult situation at work. Cathy is entering
retirement on a positive note and said “I have had the privilege to work with some great people over the last twelve years here at
UPSE, and I feel I learned something from each and every co-worker. In my heart I will always be an UPSE member.” Karen Jackson,
UPSE President, said “we will miss Tammy and Cathy’s expertise at the UPSE office. Their commitment to the membership over the
years was exemplary. I wish them both all the best in their retirement.”
4 The Advocate - Summer 2018 UPSE www.peiupse.caMembership Awards
John Picketts Distinguished Contribution Award
This year’s recipient of the John R.
Picketts Distinguished Contribution
Award is Rhonda Craig (Correctional
Officer). Rhonda received the award
and recognition for her 25 years of
service at the Community and
Correctional Services Employee
Pic (L-R) Karen MacDonald (Director,
Recognition Reception. Other Pic (L-R) Karen MacDonald (Director, Community and Community and Correctional Services), Steve
members also received recognition for Correctional Services), Rhonda Craig (Correctional Mollins (Youth Justice Worker), and Jordan
Officer), John Picketts and Jordan Brown (Minister of Brown (Minister of Justice and Public Safety
years of service including UPSE Director Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General). and Attorney General).
(Local 5), Steve Mollins for 30 years of
service. Congratulations to all recipients. Pride Parade 2018!
UPSE was out in full colour supporting UPSE Thanks Firefighters
Exclusive UPSE Travel fellow Islanders at the annual Pride UPSE thanks the brave firefighters who
Discount Program! parade in Charlottetown. This was the have been (or are still) in Ontario this
largest Pride parade in PEI history with summer battling wildfires.
Register today to receive access to
more than 160 groups registered.
Exclusive Hotel and Car Rental Discounts.
Your password-protected service offers The parade is not only about Pride in our
discounts as high as 50%, and averages community, but celebrating diversity and
10-20% savings below market on life in PEI while respecting differences
virtually all hotels and car rentals around amongst its citizens and visitors, and
the world. creating an inclusive experience for all.
The service provides the best worldwide
inventory, availability and rate-type Four P.E.I. firefighters battling wildfires in
Northern Onario
options, and aggregates over 150,000
hotel properties, and over 1200 car rental Some of the fires are huge. The Parry
suppliers at every destination worldwide. Sound 33 fire covered over 11,000
hectares. Island firefighters were
Call UPSE: 902-892-5335, toll free at
camping approximately 500 metres from
1-800-897-8773, or e-mail peiupse@
one of the fires which meant no
peiupse.ca to request your pass code.
washrooms or typical comforts. Karen
Then use UPSE’s website portal to search
Jackson, UPSE President, congratulates
for your hotel and car rental discounts
the firefighters for joining the Ontario
worldwide. Pic: (L-R) Lynn Bovyer (Chairperson, Membership
Services Committee and Communications), Karen crews and lending a helping hand.
Jackson (UPSE President)
www.peiupse.ca UPSE The Advocate - Summer 2018 5Bargaining and Grievances
Bargaining August 29 meeting.
Garden Home and Civil Service
Whisperwood Villa Bargaining update
Bargaining update The collective agreement between the
Both bargaining units have successfully Government of PEI / WCB / IRAC and the
negotiated tentative agreements. Details PEI Union of Public Sector Employees
of the tentative agreements were expired on March 31, 2018. After Holland College Early
distributed to the membership in August receiving input from the members a Learning Centre
with ratification votes scheduled for package was assembled and will be Bargaining update
August 20, 2018. For further updates see exchanged with the employer in
The collective agreement between UPSE
the UPSE website (www.peiupse.ca). September. Bargaining dates are to be
and Holland College Early Learning Centre
determined. Keep your eye on the UPSE
is expiring on August 31, 2018.
Holland College website for updates (www.peiupse.ca).
Administrative and Support The union is currently awaiting
Bargaining update Community Connections information from government pertaining
Bargaining update to wage provisions. A notice to bargain
The collective has been sent to the employer. Proposal
agreement between The collective
forms are being distributed and a
UPSE and Holland agreement between
bargaining team will be elected by the
College Administrative UPSE and Community
end of August, 2018.
and Support expired on Connections expired on
March 31, 2018. Teams March 31, 2017. Teams Morell and Area Early
met twice in met in November 2017 Learning Centre
preparation for and then again in Bargaining update
negotiations and bargaining commenced January 2018 to resolve outstanding
on May 18. Teams met again for further issues. The collective agreement between UPSE
bargaining in June with the next and Morell and Area Early Learning Centre
A tentative collective agreement
meeting scheduled for August 29, 2018 at expired on June 30, 2017.
between UPSE and Community
the UPSE office. Connections was agreed upon on May 17, The union is currently awaiting
2018. Ratification kits are currently on information from government pertaining
All members are encouraged to provide
hold as UPSE is awaiting the employer’s to wage provisions. A notice to bargain
input to the bargaining team members.
response. The goal is to have the kits has been sent to the employer.
The bargaining team will provide a
mailed out in late August, 2018. Bargaining is scheduled to get underway
progress update to the members after the
in late August.
See the UPSE Website for Bargaining Updates (www.peiupse.ca)
6 The Advocate - Summer 2018 UPSE www.peiupse.caBargaining and Grievances
Grievances Further the employer is also arguing Heat Warning and
(under the protective foot wear article), Precautions
Termination
Individual Grievance that shoes which the employer requires UPSE reminds members and all Islanders
(Health PEI) members to wear for health and safety to take precautions during hot and humid
should not be covered. Having said all weather. Environment Canada has issued
A member was terminated and UPSE this the union set forth to file a grievance several heat warnings for Prince Edward
contended that the employer did not with regards to article 18 of the collective Island this summer as temperatures
follow the principles of progressive have reached and surpassed 30 degrees
agreement.
discipline in regard to the action. UPSE Celsius.
provided details of its concerns through UPSE is currently awaiting the employers
the grievance process to work towards a response to our grievance and will
solution with the employer. continue to update the members as
updates become available.
UPSE and HPEI successfully resolved the
grievance with the help of Abusing Management Rights
Policy Grievance Workers (both indoor and outdoor) are
arbitrator George Filliter. The union at risk for illness due to these conditions.
(Community Connections)
worked diligently toward obtaining a Heat related disorders include sunburn,
settlement that was fair and agreeable to UPSE has filed a grievance as of July 30 heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion
all the parties involved. contending that Community Connections and heat stroke. For more information on
has abused its management rights. The the signs and symptoms, treatment and
Clothing Allowance employer is not granting proper days off prevention of the above see the Workers
Policy Grievance and is not following the call back Compensation Board’s Guide to
(Health PEI) Prevention of Heat Stress at Work on their
procedure. UPSE is awaiting a reply from
website (http://www.wcb.pe.ca/Informa-
During the last round of negotiations the employer on this issue. tion/Publications).
health employees received a new
workplace clothing allowance during the Termination It’s the employer’s duty (OHS Act,
Individual Grievance section 12) to ensure “that every reason-
mediation/arbitration portion of
(Civil Service) able precaution is taken to protect the
collective bargaining. The union
occupational health and safety of persons
understood that this benefit was in UPSE contends that an employee of the at or near the workplace.” See the Guide
addition to the existing uniform provincial civil service has been to Workplace Protocol in Hot Weather
allowance and would be available to all terminated unjustly. The member (http://peiupse.ca/pdf/Hot%20Weather.
LPNs, RCWs, PCWs and any worker who assserts that the employer has confused pdf) that the province is using as a
requires the care worker course. The the issue and has failed to address other guideline during hot and humid weather
employer is disagreeing, stating that relevant issues. conditions (ref: Occupational Health
addiction workers should not receive the Clinics for Ontario Workers Inc). UPSE
UPSE filed a grievance on August 1 and is acknowledges the membership and all
allowance and further that there is only awaiting a response from the employer. Islanders having to work in these extreme
one allowance to be paid. conditions.
www.peiupse.ca UPSE The Advocate - Summer 2018 7Early Childhood Education
Promoting Early Childhood Educators in Prince Edward Island
The PEI Union of Public Sector Employees
is raising awareness about the
importance of early childhood education
in Prince Edward Island, and the need
to better compensate Early Childhood
Educators (ECEs).
The wages for Early Childhood Educators
in government designated centres has
increased less than $1 per hour since
2010. The starting wage for an ECE in Women’s Committee
And so not only are there more people
PEI who possesses a college diploma Supports The
working because of ECEs, but businesses
or university degree is $15.61/hour. In Adventure Group
are also in a better position to operate
2010 the starting wage was $15.00/hour.
and grow with an expanded labour force. The UPSE Women’s Committee is
That’s not a reasonable wage increase
over an eight year period. And for those supporting The Adventure Group with
So it is essential that we take steps to a $750 donation. The donation will go
ECEs with less training the starting wage
increase the recruitment and retention towards The Adventure Group’s child care
is even lower: $14.05/hour for ECEs with a
of ECEs in Prince Edward Island. We can’t initiative. Their philosophy includes an
one year certificate, and $12.48/hour for
afford to lose these valuable employees adventure-based “learning by doing”
ECEs with three early childhood courses.
or to have up and coming ECEs veer away approach, whereby participants are fully
from this occupation because it lacks involved in the experience. The Adven-
The provision of quality early childhood
incentives. We need to invest in early ture Group is a registered charitable,
education is an essential component for
childhood education so that ECEs are paid non-profit, experiential educational and
a thriving society. ECEs play a pivotal role
more in accordance to their skills and training organization.
in the social, emotional, cognitive, and
education; their role as nurturers and
physical development of our children.
educators; and in regard to the vital con-
Building a solid foundation in the early
tribution they make to our economy. And
years sets the stage for future educational
for the designated early years centres in
success. Also, by providing quality care
PEI that are required to follow a provincial
for our children, ECEs, as a matter of
curriculum and have all their staff certi-
consequence, allow more workers to join
fied, this means enhancing the provincial
the labour force and contribute to the
wage grid on a more consistent basis
economy.
to reflect the cost of living and the true
value of these Early Childhood Educators. Pic: (L-R) Roxanne Carter-Thompson, (Executive
Director of The Adventure Group), Dina DesRoches
(C0-Chair, UPSE Women’s Committee)
8 The Advocate - Summer 2018 UPSE www.peiupse.caSafer Workplaces
Workplace Harassment Policy Mandatory? UPSE reinforced the CSA’s Standard for
Harassment can often be associated in Psychological Health and Safety in the
PEI’s Occupational Health and Safety Act
people’s minds with a physical act causing Workplace which includes guidance on
is presently being updated to include a
physical harm. Bullying is often how to create a workplace that does
definition of workplace harassment. UPSE
considered in lay person’s terms as a not create psychological harm.
provided feedback to the Workers
Compensation Board via the stakeholder verbal act that creates psychological Workplaces should be both harassment
consultation process regarding the harm. The definition of bullying, and bully free. UPSE has worked with
proposed changes. according to the International Labour government and a number of other
Organization, is: workplaces in our province to at least
UPSE strongly believes that the inclusion aim to provide a bully free workplace.
of harassment in the OHS act is needed. “...offensive behaviour through
vindictive, cruel, malicious or humiliating Numerous sessions of the Bully-Free
The proposed amendment includes a Workplace program have been
comprehensive definition of harassment attempts to undermine an individual or
groups of employees through such delivered to more than 1,500 workers in
as well as a requirement that employers the province.
adopt a policy to govern the workplace. activities as:
Furthermore, the problem of workplace - making life difficult for those who have Through the input process UPSE
bullying is related to harassment. Public the potential to do the bully’s job better encouraged the WCB to go as far as it
than the bully; can to provide a psychologically safe
opinion and awareness regarding
workplace bullying has certainly changed - shouting at staff to get things done; workplace in the province. The recent
and the tolerance level for bullying is - insisting that the bully’s way of doing decision and WCB award in the Donovan
decreasing daily. things is the only right way; case is the best example of how far we
have come in this direction. The proposed
- refusing to delegate because the bully
UPSE recommended that the WCB amendments are simply another step
feels no one else can be trusted;
consider including a definition of bullying forward. UPSE is working in coalition
in the amendments and that complaints - punishing others by constant criticism or with Lisa Donovan, other unions, and the
of bullying be addressed in workplace by removing their responsibilities for being employer in an effort to ensure that these
too competent.”
policies. legislative changes are made.
Annual Labour Day Picnic and Barbecue (Federation of Labour)
Monday, September 3, 2018
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Joseph Ghiz Memorial Park, Charlottetown
Drop by to celebrate Labour Day 2018!
There will be face painting, a magician and a bouncy house for children.
Hot Dogs, Corn, French Fries and more will be served.
www.peiupse.ca UPSE The Advocate - Summer 2018 9New Staff at UPSE
UPSE Welcomes New Staff: Melissa Bruce and
Douglas McMaster
Norma Burns
Memorial
The PEI Union of Public Sector Employees Occupational Health
welcomes new staff Before joining the UPSE
and Safety Award
members. Melissa Bruce is team Norma worked
UPSE’s Resource and with the City of Mark Arsenault, UPSE’s Second Vice
Organizing Officer. Before Charlottetown as an President and a Habitat/Wildlife Techni-
joining the UPSE team HR Executive Assistant. cian with Communities, Land and Envi-
Melissa worked at UPEI as an In her role with UPSE ronment, has received the 2018 Douglas
HR Staffing Officer. Norma will be helping McMaster Memorial OHS Award. The
members by award is presented each year during na-
In her role with UPSE Melissa maintaining the tional public service week and celebrates
will be helping members on membership database, individual or team achievements by
a daily basis in a variety of working with government employees in the promotion
ways. She answers general Melissa Bruce is UPSE’s new Resource personnel officers in and development of health and safety.
and Organizing Officer.
questions that members bargaining unit
have about their collective workplaces to ensure
agreements and determines if further membership records are up to date,
action is required; she works with the preparing materials for the annual
Communications general convention, and, typing
Officer in develop- collective agreements for
ing campaigns; various bargaining units, minutes
administers the of meetings and other union
Health documents.
Development and
Training Fund; and Karen Jackson, UPSE President,
is the lead person says she is thrilled to have both
responsible for Melissa and Norma join the
identifying and dedicated staff at UPSE. Jackson
implementing says “our staff works hard to serve
potential units to Norma Burns is UPSE’s new Membership the membership every day and I
organize. Records Coordinator. know Melissa and Norma will
support the members in carrying
Norma Burns is UPSE’s new out their job duties as we work Pic (L-R): Karen Jackson (President, UPSE), and Mark
Arsenault (UPSE Second Vice President)
Membership together to improve workplaces across
Records Coordinator. Prince Edward Island.”
10 The Advocate - Summer 2018 UPSE www.peiupse.caUPSE Stewards Stewards’ Conference This year’s conference was a great UPSE held its annual Stewards’ success. Presenters Kim Turner, Conference on June 1, 2018 in Q.C. and Andrew Nielsen (Pink Charlottetown. It’s important for our Larkin) touched on several key Stewards to network and to receive issues including violence in the ongoing education in regard to the workplace; social media use, latest workplace issues. Stewards are cannabis legalization and vital contributors to our union. They help demonstrated equivalency. Mike co-workers deal with difficult situations, Lyriotokis’ (Co-chair, Stewards Council) ensure the collective agreement is being contributions to UPSE were also followed, improve democracy in the highlighted in lieu of his retirement. workplace, and provide a bridge between supervisors and employees. UPSE’s Popular Annual Golf Tournament Now Full. UPSE’s annual golf tournament is now full. The first twelve teams to contact the union have received bookings. This year UPSE golfers will be playing at the beautiful Brudenell River Golf Course. www.peiupse.ca UPSE The Advocate - Summer 2018 11
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