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News - July 2006
The headlines for news items published during this month are listed below.
Click on the headline of your choice to see the entire text of the article.
• SDS classification grievance: What’s new?
• Further Information on Service Canada's July 25 announcement
• Update on SDA-II Classification Panel Results
• SDA-IIs to become PM-1s as of September 14, 2006
• NHWU union dues DROP!
• New logo; new Web site...same commitment!
• Update on SDA II grievances
SDS classification grievance: What’s New?
Posted July 27, 2006
Contrary to the widespread opinion circulating in the SDA-II community, our PM-03 SDS classification grievance has not yet been before a classification panel.
As with the SDA-II grievance, we have finished all of the content arguments but unlike the SDA-II file the SDS work description has not been reviewed by a classification panel.
As near as can be ascertained, the few SDS members who have been reclassified to the PM-04 level have been so classified on the addition of new duties. This would be a similar situation to the PM-01 announcement for the SDA-IIs. It would also be a new initiative and should in no way have an effect on the long standing SDS classification grievance.
The latest information indicates the SDS classification grievance will not be looked at until the Canadian Human Rights Commission complaint has first been dealt with.
Further Information on Service Canada's July 25 announcement
Posted July 27, 2006
July 25, 2006 Service Canada announced a new organizational model that would see our SDA-II members become PM-01s as of September 14, 2006.
This announcement also noted that a certification program would be developed to allow them to become PM-02s by September of 2007.
This new initiative of Service Canada is a distinct and separate from our long standing, ongoing SDA-II classification grievance. Please remember we are awaiting the results of the SDA-II classification panel to determine if we need to reactivate the classification grievance.
Update on SDA-II Classification Panel Results
Posted July 27, 2006
In response to the many questions about our ability to force the senior management of Service Canada to release the results of the May 2006 classification panel on the mediated SDA-II work description, we have contacted the employer to see if any possible movement can be made on this file in light of July 25th announcement.
Phil Jensen, a Service Canada ADM, has agreed to meet with NHWU Executive Vice-President Tony Tilley on July 28th to look into this issue.
SDA-IIs to become PM-1s as of September 14, 2006
Posted July 25, 2006
The NHWU is pleased to note the announcement on the reclassification and certification program by Maryantonett Flumian, Deputy Head of Service Canada, that will see all of our SDA-II’s become PM-1’s as of September 14, 2006.
It is important to note that NH&WU considers this as a down payment that does not have any effect on our long standing SDA-II classification grievance.
NHWU union dues DROP!
Posted July 10, 2006
At a time when it's getting harder to balance the family budget, the NHWU has given its members a real break – an actual drop in union dues.
The action flowed from a decision taken by delegates to our National Triennial Convention, held last year. As a result, effective June 21, the ‘Component share’ of overall dues paid to the NHWU dropped from 0.435 to 0.425. Given that dues are paid on a percentage of the bottom salary level of a member’s classification this in fact meant an actual cut in NHWU dues. It will also result in an effective freeze of the NHWU’s portion of overall dues when the next scheduled increase in annual rates of pay takes effect.
While the annual savings are not great, they nonetheless stand out in a world where costs seem to increase without respite. The dues freeze reflects both prudent budgetary expenditure and a commitment to continue to provide real value for our members’ dues.
For instance, even though our dues revenue is frozen, we have moved to provide even greater membership services. Our campaign against the incorporation of our Income Security Program members into Service Canada, and the launching of a vastly-improved, new NHWU Web site are but two recent initiatives.
It is unfortunate that, despite the NHWU’s actions, the overall dollar amount of our members’ union dues will still increase as a result of decisions taken by delegates to last May’s PSAC Convention.
As of next January 1, there will be an average dues increase in the PSAC portion of overall union dues of 29 cents per member per month. The actual dues percentage will rise to 0.8963% from the current 0.8889%.
The PSAC – our bargaining agent – has provided an explanation for these increases. The article can be viewed on the PSAC Web site at the following location:
http://www.psac.com/news/releases/2006/a33-0606-e.shtml
NHWU members are urged to read the information provided.
New logo; new Web site...same commitment!
Posted July 9, 2006
An exciting new image was unveiled by the National Health and Welfare Union today.
We have a new logo. And a new Web site. And our same strong union commitment.
As the Web increasingly becomes the tool of choice for modern communication, it was clear that the time had come for a significant revision of our Union’s Internet presence.
The result you see has been completely rebuilt from the ground up. It’s loaded with information, but easy to navigate. It’s colourful, without being weighed down with too many ‘bells and whistles’.
Older content has been updated, and much new content and information has been added. Members have access to collective agreements, legislation, key Web links and a host of info about the leadership, structure and operations of the NHWU. They can even update their union membership electronically without the need for paper forms.
Our new site, with its descriptive ‘alt tags’ and downloadable documents in both RTF and PDF formats, is fully accessible to all our members, including the visually impaired.
Finally, this innovative NHWU Web site represents the beginning, and not the end, of our commitment to build a better electronic communication tool. As we go forward, we will be adding new content and new features.
So, stay tuned. Send us your comments and suggestions. And, in the meantime, please encourage your fellow members to make full use of this dynamic new Web site.
Update on SDA II grievances
Posted July 7,2006
T
he NHWU National Office has issued a Bulletin concerning the status of grievances filed by our SDA II members and misrepresentation concerning PM reclassification issue.
Click on your choice of RTF or PDF icons below to read the full text of the Bulletin:
 
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