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News - September 2008

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.

(For past months, click on 'Archived News' under 'News' on the menu to the left.)

• Welcome to the NHU’s new Web site!

• NHU and PSAC determined to see bargaining continue

during election period

• Fate of contract talks strongly linked to federal election results

Welcome to the NHU’s new Web site!

Posted September 24, 2008

A new name. A new logo. A new governing structure.  And now…a new Web site!

Design and building of our new Internet presence has been underway for the past few months.  The result is much new content, state-of-the-art features and a better organized and more-easily navigated menu system.

The site, which went ‘live’ on Thursday, September 25, comes with a new ‘URL’, or Internet address, based on our union’s English and French initials: www.-nhu-sns.ca.

Here is just a sample of what you’ll find:

• A brighter, cleaner design based on our new NHU colours.

• More-clearly-organized information on the structure and services offered by our union.

• Direct e-mail access to the National Council and National Office staff.

• The ability to print a document, or save it to your Web browser’s ‘favourites’ list, from every page on the site.

  ‘

• Quick Link’ access from the main page to most-frequently-sought information.

• The ability to quickly update your membership information electronically.

• The opportunity to subscribe to an electronic news service that will deliver the latest news directly to your e-mail program’s in-box.

• Ability to download the most-used forms from Treasury Board, the Public Service Labour Relations Board and the Public Service Staffing Tribunal.

• Links to current collective agreements, employer Web sites and a host of other useful Internet sites.

We’re pleased to say that our new Web site is also fully accessible to those with visual disabilities. All logos, illustrations and photos are captioned. Documents can be downloaded in either cross-platform RTF (Rich Text) or PDF (Adobe Document) formats.

The NHU’s new Web site is a work in progress. You’ll find several pages that are still ‘under construction’, and others still waiting for additional information.

We welcome your comments and suggestions for further improvements. And, should you discover any glitches in navigating our site, we urge you to let us know by using the ‘Report Site Problems’ form located under ‘Help’ on the main menu

NHU and PSAC determined to see bargaining continue during election period

Posted September 17, 2008

Many members are wondering what impact the current federal election will have on the already-glacially-paced contract talks with Treasury Board.

The NHU and our bargaining agent, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, are determined to see collective bargaining continue during the election. Only strike action is prohibited during a federal election. There is nothing to stop the employer from coming to the table to negotiate.

However, it does takes two to tango, and Treasury Board brass are likely to slow down the already drawn-out contract talks until they see if Stephen Harper gets his hoped-for majority government.

Nonetheless, the PSAC is also pressing ahead with negotiation of Essential Services Agreements, including hearings before the Public Service Labour Relations Board.

It is highly ironic that Harper used the questionable excuse of a ‘dysfunctional’ Parliament for breaking yet another of his promises from the last election. If he wants to see dysfunction, take a look at its approach to collective bargaining.

The bottom line is that this gives NHU members the chance to help elect a government with a more productive take on negotiations and to make a real change at the bargaining table.

Fate of contract talks strongly linked to federal election results

Posted September 16, 2008

When NHU members cast their votes in the October 14 election, we’ll be voting for more than a local Member of Parliament. We’ll be voting for the fate of current contract talks between Treasury Board and our bargaining agent, the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

This federal election is absolutely critical for PSAC members and for federal public services. Stephen Harper’s Conservatives are committed to the ideology of smaller government, cuts in programs and the contracting out, privatization or elimination of public services.

How the employer behaves at the bargaining table and subsequently treats our members in the work place – on everything from job security to health and safety to balancing work and family life – all depends on the government Canadians elect.

Longer-term members will remember the Liberals’ massive job and program cuts in the mid-1990s. Many Departments have yet to fully recover from this senseless and ultimately counter-productive assault on the federal public service.

The NHU does not support a particular political party. We strongly believe that voting decisions are a personal and private matter for all our members.

We do, however, urge you to get involved in this election and exercise your democratic right to vote. Go to all-candidate meetings and ask where the all the would-be M.P.s stand on support for public services and the rights of NHU members.

As well, each PSAC region has an election plan to work with candidates who support federal public services and other related activities. Members should contact the nearest PSAC Regional Office to find out what is being organized.

Candidates who are prepared to support and defend federal public services deserve our members’ support and their active help in getting them into Parliament.

Remember… You’re not just electing a government. You’re electing your employer!