Human Rights for First Nations Children

Today the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal is hearing a case that alleges the Canadian government discriminates against First Nation children through its inadequate funding of family services. The Assembly of First Nations and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society allege that the federal government is discriminating against First Nations families and children by funding child welfare at amounts that are far less than what’s provided by provincial governments off of reserves.

In solidarity, members of Local 30048 has signed dozens of "Have a heart for First Nations children" letters which we will be delivering to our local Member of Parliament, Jim Hillyer.

These letters were collected on February 14, on the International Day of One Billion Rising.

Read more: 

www.ctvnews.ca/canada/tribunal-hears-first-nations-child-welfare-case-does-ottawa-discriminate-1.1170503#ixzz2Lx1DfwGG

aptn.ca/pages/news/2013/02/25/human-rights-tribunal-into-how-feds-treat-first-nation-children-underway/

www.fnwitness.ca

PSAC speaks out on Alberta govt budget cuts

Brace for service cuts, NDP leader warns

THURSDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 2013 02:01 MABELL, DAVE

Service cuts are not needed in the richest province in Canada. Instead, Alberta should simply cancel Ralph Klein's tax cuts for big companies and energy producers.
That's the message from Alberta New Democrat leader Brian Mason, as his four-member caucus listened to voters across southern Alberta.
"This is not an economic downturn," he said here Wednesday, in the wake of the Conservative government's forecast of a 2012-13 deficit as high as $4 billion. "It's financial mismanagement by the Progressive Conservative government."
So Albertans should brace for service cuts and broken promises in the government's budget address early next month, he warned.
"The PCs created this mess by cutting taxes and royalties for corporations and wealthy Albertans" and counting on high oil prices, he said. "Now they'll break promises to Alberta families to try to clean it up."
During a public meeting later, Mason heard how those feared cuts will affect University of Lethbridge students and reduce public services for southern Albertans.
Earlier Wednesday, Lethbridge East MLA Bridget Pastoor confirmed job cuts are expected to be included in the budget speech March 7. But they could be spread over the next few years, she said in an interview.
"It won't be slash and burn," the government member said. "It's a three-year plan.
"In the meantime, things could change."
But the budget won't offer many pleasant surprises, Pastoor predicted.
"Times have changed," and Albertans realize that.
"I think people will probably not be surprised at how austere the budget will be."
But Lethbridge speakers said the government must consider tax changes to allow critical plans and services to continue.
Armin Escher, student president at University of Lethbridge, said students fear the government will remove its cap on tuition fees - forcing many post-secondary students to quit classes or go still more deeply into debt.
Premier Alison Redford must keep her promise to fund five major post-secondary projects across the province, he added - including a long-needed upgrade for trades training at Lethbridge College.
At the university, he said, some cutting-edge researchers are forced to work in science laboratories dating to the 1970s, far inferior to today's high school labs. But instead of approval for their plans for a new science building, he said, U of L officials fear their operating budget will be cut by five per cent or more, leaving tuition hikes as one of the only ways to balance their books.
Escher and representatives of other Lethbridge-area groups lined up to outline their concerns, as budget-cut warnings echoes across the province. They were also questioned in public hearing style by Mason and fellow Edmonton MLAs Deron Bilous, David Eggen and Rachel Notley.
Speaking for Lethbridge-area members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, Sherry Hunt cited Economic Development Lethbridge reports that eight of the city's top 10 employers are provincial or federal agencies, hitting this city's economy if cuts are severe.
The federal government is already cutting services across the nation, she pointed out, and now Alberta's government says it's following suit - because the province has failed to collect adequate royalties and taxes.
"The provincial employees will be the scapegoats for the government's failure."

http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/front-page-news/brace-for-service-cuts-ndp-leader-warns-22113.html

TC Bargaining Update Meeting

Child care provided.

For more information on the Public Interest Commission's report see-

http://www.psac.com/news/2013/bargaining/20130215-e.shtml

Please show your support:

Tell Tony Clement that you support a fair agreement for TC Group workers.

http://poac.psacadmin.ca/tony-clement-tc-support

Community In Unity

Here's a fun and worthwhile event to attend in Lethbridge.
We're helping out!

Regional Seminar

The Regional Seminar will be held in Calgary March 2-3, 2013. If you are interested in attending, please see a member of your local executive.

PROPOSED DUES INCREASE

Notice to All PSAC LOCAL 30048 Members

PROPOSED DUES INCREASE

$2.00 per member/ month

To be discussed and voted on Monday, April 7, 2013 at 7:00pm during regular Local 30048 meeting – AAFC Lethbridge Research Centre Cafeteria Conference Room

This would increase our local's due allocation from $3.00 per month to $5 per month. 

We haven't had a local dues increase in over 20 years.

With increased costs for travel, salary replacement, and Treasury Board travel allowances, the cost for local operations has also increased.

(Note correction on Feb. 11, 2013. It was previously published the increase would be $1.75 to target $5.)

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS - Youth Delegates

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Youth Delegates of the 2011 PSAC Prairie Regional Triennial Convention will elect a Youth Representative to serve on the Prairie Regional Council for the remainder of the three-year term.

Nominations:

• Nominations open effective February 1, 2013
• PSAC members who are 30 years of age or younger as of the date of the call out and members in good standing are eligible for nomination to this elected positions.  PSAC members are not required to have been Convention Delegates to be nominated for these elected positions.
• Nominations shall be in writing, signed by a nominator and a seconder, each of whom must have been accredited delegates at the 2011 Convention and self identified as a youth member.
• Nominations from PSAC Prairie Regional Triennial Convention youth delegates will be accepted until February 22, 2013.

Nominees Address to Convention Delegates:

• Candidates will be invited to submit a bio and or a written statement containing information they wish to be shared to the voting members.

Nomination Deadline:

• Nominations from youth members in good standing must be submitted no later than February 22, 2013.
• All nominations must be submitted by fax at (204) 943-0652 to the Chair of the Nominations Committee, Lisa Garnier.

Contact your local executive for a nomination form.