CULE encourages all members to participate in events, community organizations, and educational activities that celebrate Black History Month. For links and more information visit cic.gc.ca.

CULE also salutes our members of African descent, acknowledges the struggle for equity and inclusiveness, and remains committed to the fight for equity and social justice in our workplaces, communities, and homes.

SECTION 5 – EXECUTIVE

B. (i) To the extent possible, the Executive shall be comprised of members from Admin Staff/Administrative Personnel Group and Officers Group; as defined by the President on the basis of proportional representation. Should an election result in a lack of proportional representation in the opinion of the Executive, the Executive shall have the authority to create one or more “member-at-large” positions to be filled by an election among members of the bargaining unit concerned.

A nomination form is now available.  If you require further information, do not hesitate to contact me at 1-709-651-3727 or via email peckfop@psac.com or contact your CULE Director. Nominations for the position should be faxed or mailed to the Gander RO prior to the deadline of January 31, 2012.

In solidarity,

Pamela Peckford – Unit 11 VP

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As you will surely recall, CULE recommended the ratification of the tentative agreement we reached with PSAC back in April 2011 with the understanding and commitment from the Employer that meaningful discussions would take place before any changes are made to our Extended Health Benefits Plan. The Employer made it clear to your bargaining team that they would not enter into consultation with any pre-conceived ideas as to how it would end up.

A CULE Benefits Committee, consisting of Jim Brohman, Gail Chafe & Larry Welsh, was struck and discussions were held between the two parties. While the employer representatives listened to what we had to say, they obviously did not hear us. It was painfully clear during these discussions that the employer was looking to impose on us what was agreed to by the other staff unions. To that effect, we received a Memorandum dated December 19, 2011 from Bonnie O’Keefe, the outgoing Director of Administration Branch, informing us that the changes to our Extended Health Benefits Plan (dispensing fees, paramedical and psychological services) will be in effect as of January 1, 2012.

• Read the report of the CULE Benefits Committee
• Read the memo from the employer

As far as we are concerned, the so called consultation process was not much more than a PR vehicle designed to impose on us what they failed to achieve at the bargaining table. We have always maintained that the declared savings of $32,000 did not warrant imposing such concessions on CULE members. CULE entered into these discussions with an open mind, only to face employer representatives who were unwilling to budge from their original position.

If anything, this experience has taught us a valuable lesson. While we will continue to work with the employer to make the PSAC a truly model employer, let it be known that the key variable – trust – is currently missing from this relationship.

Sisters and brothers, please stay tuned for future actions where you can express your displeasure with having to lose a valuable part of your extended health benefits.

In solidarity,

Dave Jackson
CULE President

The International Human Solidarity Day was first proclaimed on December 22, 2005, at the UN General Assembly. It was proclaimed that International Solidarity Day would take place on December 20 each year. The event aimed to raise people’s awareness of the importance of advancing the international development agenda and promoting global understanding of the value of human solidarity. The assembly felt that the promotion of a culture of solidarity and the spirit of sharing was important in combating poverty. Some of the activities that groups and organizations can engage in to promote International Human Solidarity Day are organize around issues such as:

• Banning land mines.
• Making health and medication accessible to those in need.
• Relief efforts to help those who suffered the effects of natural or human-made disasters.
• Achieving universal education.
• Fighting against poverty, corruption and terrorism

CULE as an organization is committed to Social Justice Work and has negotiated a Social Justice Fund Clause in their Collective Agreement. In the last few years CULE has supported working class campaigns and campaigns that fight against corruption and poverty. CULE has supported campaigns in the Philippines, Middle East, Africa, Guyana, Honduras, Cuba as well as campaigns within Canada. CULE has provided funding to campaigns that engage in education and projects to address poverty and corruption.
On December 20, 2011, CULE salutes its membership who engage in Human Solidarity in both their work and private lives.

To all CULE members:  Have a safe and festive holiday season

• Unit I – Joan-Anne Gravesande
• Unit II – Pamela Peckford

They join

• Treasurer – Gail Chafe
• Secretary – Stephanie Penwarden
• Director BC – James Little
• Director NCR – Hassan Husseini
• Director Prairies – Carm Chan
• Director North – Debbie McLaughlin
• Director Atlantic – Mark Rogers
• Director Ontario – Sandra Goodick
• Equity Director – Janelle Ho-Shing
• President – Dave Jackson

As your new CULE Executive – congratulations all!