(July 19, 2023) UHEW continues to process adjustments for UHEW strike top- ups when we receive updated lists from PSAC. We continue to respond to emails on questions about strike pay but due to the the number of emails being received, there are delays in these responses. Should you have any questions regarding the UHEW strike top-up, please send an email to info@uhew-stse.ca.

We have started processing local top-ups for those Locals having the National office do so, and hope to have them completed in the next few weeks.

Thank you in advance for your patience.

UHEW is pleased to announce that we have completed processing its top-up payments for both strike weeks (both e-transfers and cheques) and is currently working on the adjustment file we have received from PSAC.  

As stated in our previous update, cheques have been printed and mailed to those who were paid in this manner by PSAC.  As not all members have their current mailing address in the Union database, this will cause delays in receipt of their cheques. Also, please note that some locals have requested to distribute these cheques themselves to their members therefore not all members will be getting their cheque by mail.

If you have any questions or issues with your strike pay, please send them to info@uhew-stse.ca

News and images of UHEW members taking part in the PSAC Treasury Board Strike and updates on strike pay.

(July 19, 2023)  UHEW continues to process adjustments for UHEW strike top- ups when we receive updated lists from PSAC. We continue to respond to emails on questions about strike pay but due to the the number of emails being received, there are delays in these responses. Should you have any questions regarding the UHEW strike top-up, please send an email to info@uhew-stse.ca.

We have started processing local top-ups for those Locals having the National office do so, and hope to have them completed in the next few weeks.

Thank you in advance for your patience.

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(June 12, 2023)  UHEW is pleased to announce that we have completed processing its top-up payments for both strike weeks (both e-transfers and cheques) and is currently working on the adjustment file we have received from PSAC.  

As stated in our previous update, cheques have been printed and mailed to those who were paid in this manner by PSAC.  As not all members have their current mailing address in the Union database, this will cause delays in receipt of their cheques. Also, please note that some locals have requested to distribute these cheques themselves to their members therefore not all members will be getting their cheque by mail.

If you have any questions or issues with your strike pay, please send them to info@uhew-stse.ca

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(June 7, 2023)  This is to advise that e-transfers of the UHEW strike pay are being processed, which covers the second week of the strike, as per the registration list received from PSAC. 

Cheques have been printed are being mailed to those who were being paid in this manner.  Bear in mind that not all members have their current mailing address in the Union database which will cause delays in receipt of their cheques. Also, please note that some locals have requested to distribute these cheques themselves to their members therefore not all members will be getting their cheque by mail.

Should you have any issues with your strike pay, please contact your Local.  They will compile a list and forward it to the National Office. 

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(May 31, 2023) UHEW has completed the e-tranfer payments for its strike pay for the period of April 19 – 21, 2023 as per the list received by PSAC.

While UHEW had advised its Council and Locals it was to start printing cheques, due to the large number to be printed, we have been preparing the lists, the accounting program and postage machine to start processing this week. 

We received the second week list from PSAC and we are preparing these lists to start processing e-transfers. 

We know this is a delay you did not expect however, the bank system used for e-transfers had limitations and could not process the large number of EFT which set us behind schedule for over 2 weeks.  Please be advised that we have our two finance officers working long hours with the bank IT support team to have these payments processed as quickly as possible. 

We understand everyone is frustrated as we are. 

Should you have any issues with your strike pay, please contact your Local.  They will compile a list and forward it to the National Office.

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(May 2, 2023) UHEW will be processing strike pay once we receive PSAC strike pay lists of UHEW members that were paid by PSAC for their picket line activities.  We expect the lists in the next few days and will be preparing to process payments as soon as we can.  We understand that even though members received a full pay from the employer on April 26, they are planning and anticipating changes to their pay on May 10.  We will be working hard to process the payments as fast as we can.

We thank you for your patience in advance.

• Federal workers strike, set up picket lines in St. Stephen  (St. Croix Courier)
• Striking public service workers picket downtown Nanaimo Service Canada branch (Nanaimo News Now)
• Plus d’un millier d’employés fédéraux en grève dans l’Est-du-Québec (Radio Canada)
• Almost 6,000 N.L. workers join federal public sector strike (NTV)
• UHEW 90002 Instagram Reel
• PSAC march video

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As many can remember, one of the “pros” being advocated for the NHU and UEW merger in the Fall of 2016, was the one million dollars strike fund, the former NHU organization had.

Following the merger, it was realized that a formal restricted strike fund was not entrenched in any of the By-Laws, Regulations or Policies.

UHEW feels it has a moral obligation and commitment to the members to establish a strike fund and as such, during the National Local Presidents’ Conference held in Montebello on October 1 – 3. 2019, the UHEW National President announced that the National Council would vote on a strike fund in order to support our members.

This vote was held on February 19, 2020 where a 2.5 million dollars strike fund was approved.  This fund will be restricted within our financial statements exclusively for any future potential strikes.

With this fund, UHEW will be able to match the PSAC strike pay of $75 per day ($100 per day for members in the North).

As we are preparing to mobilize our members and ready ourselves for a potential strike, this fund may alleviate any trepidation and help offset some hardships.

Greetings

To all of you who are celebrating Pride and National Indigenous Month in June, know that we are with you. The Union of Health and Environment Workers is a strong support of Pride and a staunch ally to all Indigenous people in Canada. We salute you and honour you.

Now that the National Strike involving members who work for Treasury Board has been resolved through the tentative agreement, I want to give you an update on Strike Pay. We have completed processing the UHEW top-up payments for both strike weeks (both e-transfers and cheques) and are currently working on the adjustment file we have received from PSAC.  If you have any questions or issues with your strike pay, please send them to info@uhew-stse.ca

I also want to congratulate all the members of Component who stood and will stand for election at the PSAC Regional Conventions that have been happening in the last few weeks.

PSAC BC Region

Jill MacNeill Northwestern BC Coordinator
Holly Morrison 1^ST Alternate Indigenous Peoples Coordinator

PSAC North

Reyhan Sarika Alternate Regional Executive Vice-President
Dana Kalluak 1st Alternate NIPC member for the North

PSAC Atlantic Region

Rhonda Doyle-Leblanc Provincial Director Nova Scotia

PSAC Prairie Region

Maureen Pepper 2^nd Alternate North Saskatchewan

Thank you all for your service to your Union.

Our own 3rd National Triennial Convention of the Union of Health and Environment Workers will be held at The Hyatt Regency Vancouver (655 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 2R7), beginning, Tuesday, August 15, 2023 and concluding Thursday, August 17, 2023.

Have a great summer and we’ll see you in the fall!

As always, we’d love to hear from you. Drop me a line at the e-mail below.

Help us build UHEW together!!

In solidarity

Shimen Fayad
shimen.fayad@uhew-stse.ca

STARTING IN A GOOD WAY

The Quw’utsun Tzinquaw Dance Group from Cowichan Valley opened the convention with their beautiful traditional songs and dancing. The strength of the Tzinquaw people reverberated through the room and convention attendees were honoured to be witness to their amazing culture. 

PROCEDURAL MOTIONS PASS

Delegates then ratified the convention committees, adopted the agenda, approved national council members as automatic delegates to the PSAC National Convention, and passed other procedural motions. 

PRESIDENT AND NVP REPORTS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY

During the morning session, the reports of National President Shimen Fayad and National Vice President Benoit Thibault were passed unanimously by convention delegates. Both spoke to the challenges of the last three years, including the ever-frustrating Phoenix pay system disaster, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent Treasury Board strike where members from coast to coast to coast walked the line for eight days. Despite these challenges, President Fayad and NVP Thibault expressed their pride for the work members were able to accomplish over the last three years, and the positive outlook UHEW has for greater member engagement in the months and years to come. 

GUEST SPEAKERS BRING STRENGTH AND SOLIDARITY 

Delegates also heard from guest speaker PSAC National President Chris Aylward. President Aylward recounted the success of the TB and CRA recent strikes, noting that a “new generation of PSAC activists was born on those picket lines” who are engaged and willing join the fight to put workers before profits. 

BC Federation of Labour President Sussane Skidmore also brought greetings to delegates, expressing her appreciation for PSAC strike efforts that helped pave the way for the “Hot Labour Summer” we’re currently in: workers are done paying for inflation through higher prices and are standing up for what we deserve. 

2024-2026 BUDGET PASSES

The Finance Committee addressed delegates, speaking to their priority resolutions. The Committee’s first priority resolution was the proposed budget for 2024-2026, which was adopted by delegates. 

UHEW STRIKE FUND SPECIAL LEVY ADOPTED

The second resolution debated was on a UHEW Strike Fund Special Levy of $5 per member per month until the UHEW Strike Fund is replenished to $2.5M. The Committee asserted that the Special Levy would avoid a long-term dues increase and allow UHEW investment revenue to continue to be directed to our operating costs. This short-term approach will also satisfy the By-Law requirement to maintain a strike fund to support our members when needed. This resolution was also carried. 

UHEW STRIKE FUND INCREASED FROM $2.5M TO $4.5M

The third priority heard on the floor was the resolution to increase the UHEW Strike Fund from $2.5M to $4.5M. Delegates spoke of the need for members to have the confidence and financial support necessary to show their unity and strength on the picket lines from coast to coast to coast. With the possibility of a federal election in the near future and the potential threat of a Conservative government, UHEW members need to take steps now to support our sisters, brothers and friends should another strike take place in the coming years. This resolution was also adopted by convention delegates.

HELPING OUR COMMUNITIES

The day ended with the host committee making their first daily 50/50 draw. The draw winner took home over $200 and the other half is being donated to the Kermode Friendship Society in Terrace, BC who provide programming and services to Indigenous community members in Terrace, BC.