http://www.agrunion.com/en/newscurrentmonth.html#Four The latest news and updates from the Agriculture Union http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Jitbit RSS Feed Creator Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:54:35 -0500 Our Canadian Food Inspection Agency bargaining team has demonstrated solidarity both at and beyond the negotiations table.http://www.agrunion.com/en/newscurrentmonth.html#SixFri, 27 Jan 2012 14:54:35 -0500 They're timely. They're informative. And they're available across the country.http://www.agrunion.com/en/newscurrentmonth.html#FiveTue, 24 Jan 2012 12:15:53 -0500 Staff of the Canada School of Public Service (CSPS) learned on January 13 that their employer plans to abandon its in-house language training as of March 31, 2012.http://www.agrunion.com/en/newscurrentmonth.html#FourWed, 18 Jan 2012 15:21:19 -0500 The Agriculture Union has gone public with evidence that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is planning to cut the funding it put in place to improve food safety and inspection in the wake of the listeriosis outbreak that killed 23 Canadians in 2008.http://www.agrunion.com/en/newscurrentmonth.html#ThreeMon, 16 Jan 2012 19:43:10 -0500 Our bargaining agent, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, has issued a call for input into possible changes to the National Joint Council's (NJC) Isolated Posts and Government Housing Directive.http://www.agrunion.com/en/newscurrentmonth.html#OneThu, 05 Jan 2012 15:14:01 -0500 Beginning the week of November 23, members who were part of the GL Review began receiving their work description.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicateagricultureunion-news-december2011.html#ThreeMon, 19 Dec 2011 16:27:37 -0500 Members of Agriculture Union bargaining team for our Canadian Food Inspection Agency members are hard at work negotiating a new collective agreement with Agency management.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicateagricultureunion-news-december2011.html#TwoThu, 15 Dec 2011 06:47:41 -0500 The Federal Court has ruled that Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz acted in breach of his statutory obligation to hold a plebiscite of farmers before moving to abolish the Canadian Wheat Board's 'single desk' mandate for marketing wheat and barley.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicateagricultureunion-news-december2011.html#OneWed, 14 Dec 2011 00:20:54 -0500 Agriculture Union members at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency can be excused for thinking they have been waiting forever for the employer to honour its commitment to implement a gender-neutral classification system following adoption of the July 12, 2000 pay equity settlement agreement.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicateagricultureunion-news-november2011.html#TwoThu, 24 Nov 2011 08:38:18 -0500 Retirement. For many Agriculture Union members, that's a goal that's coming much sooner than later.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicateagricultureunion-news-november2011.html#OneWed, 23 Nov 2011 06:13:39 -0500 For the first time in a long while - since 2002 in fact - Agriculture Union dues are increasing beyond the rise linked to negotiated wage settlements.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-october2011.html#ThreeTue, 25 Oct 2011 06:26:56 -0400 Sometimes, even for unions, it does indeed pay to advertise.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-october2011.html#TwoMon, 24 Oct 2011 12:26:53 -0400 For close to half a century, the Labour College of Canada has provided an intensive college-level educational opportunity to successive generations of up-and-coming union leaders.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-october2011.html#TwoSat, 08 Oct 2011 14:22:43 -0400 Agriculture Union delegates left our Fifteenth Triennial Convention in Vancouver on August 19 ready to confront a majority Conservative government intent on cutting both quality public services and the jobs of the men and women who provide them.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-september2011.html#OneThu, 01 Sep 2011 16:56:59 -0400 The deadline for our members belonging to the Program and Administrative Services group (AS, CR, DA, IS, PM, and ST classifications) and the Education and Library Science group (ED & LS classifications) to submit their Payment in lieu of Severance option is fast approaching.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-august2011.html#FourWed, 17 Aug2011 10:55:05 -0400 The Agriculture Union is currently assessing all AAFC EG Review grievance files. At this point, it is anticipated that the hearings, if necessary, will start in the Fall.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-august2011.html#ThreeThurs, 11 Aug 2011 11:40:56 -0400 The Agriculture Union is strongly opposed to against the Harper government's renewed plan to abandon long-standing federal inspection of provincially-registered meat processing plants in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-august2011.html#TwoWed, 10 Aug2011 08:12:21 -0400 The Agriculture Union's 15th Triennial National Convention kicks off next Wednesday, August 17 in Vancouver.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-august2011.html#OneMon, 08 Aug 2011 15:46:28 -0400 Thanks to members' input provided through recent cross-country worksite feedback meetings, the joint Working Committee established by the Agriculture Union and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada continues to make progress towards the long-sought completion of the AAFC GL Review.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-july2011.html#OneWed, 27 Jul 2011 09:33:01 -0400 Canadian Food Inspection Agency President Carole Swan is stepping down at the end of June, a full year ahead of the end of her appointment.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-june2011.html#NineTue, 21 Jun 2011 17:00:48 -0400 Agriculture Union members can be very proud of the contributions to the quality of life – both here and abroad – made possible by donations from our Social Justice Fund.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-june2011.html#EightTue, 21 Jun 2011 14:36:53 -0400 The Agriculture Union's By-Laws require each member of our National Council to prepare a report on their activities between Triennial National Conventions. With August's 2011 Convention quickly approaching, we have begun to post these reports on our Web site.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-june2011.html#SevenSun, 19 Jun 2011 15:19:15 -0400 The Agriculture Union is proud to have always played a constructive leadership role within the Public Service Alliance of Canada.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-june2011.html#SixFri, 17 Jun 2011 14:38:42 -0400 A quarter century is quite a run, but that's how long our members on Prince Edward Island have been able to count on Gary Paynter for leadership and representation.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-june2011.html#FiveThu, 09 Jun 2011 05:52:31 -0400 Our bargaining agent, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, is undertaking a comprehensive survey of local union stewards from all its component unions, the Agriculture Union included.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-june2011.html#FourWed, 08 Jun 2011 06:28:55 -0400 It seems hard to believe. But sources say the Canadian Food Inspection Agency volunteered to cut its overall operating budget by $35-million in the hope of getting additional up-front funds for food inspection in the June 6 federal budget.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-june2011.html#ThreeTue, 07 Jun 2011 11:45:10 -0400 The Agriculture Social Justice Fund (AUSJF) has approved three new projects for funding in the current year.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-june2011.html#TwoMon, 06 Jun 2011 06:54:06 -0400 National President Bob Kingston has sent congratulatory letters to Gerry Ritz, the reappointed Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, as well as Official Opposition critics Malcolm Allen and Pat Martin.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-june2011.html#OneThu, 02 Jun 2011 16:25:14 -0400 The National Joint Council is a union-management body that establishes common federal public service employment practices, working conditions and benefits not covered by collective bargaining.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-may2011.html#FourFri, 27 May 2011 13:30:11 -0400 Bullying and harassment don't just happen in school yards.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-may2011.html#ThreeTue, 24 May 2011 17:37:08 -0400 A Local of the Union of Solicitor General Employees, a sister PSAC Component, has launched a fund raising drive to help its members who this past week were driven by raging wildfires from the northern Alberta community of Slave Lake.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-may2011.html#TwoSat, 21 May 2011 08:42:16 -0400 (The Agriculture Union issued the following news release on April 28.)http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-may2011.html#OneTue, 03 May 2011 15:35:39 -0400 The following are milestone dates for the PI Review. They reflect significant events in the PI Review but do not include every meeting leading to that milestone.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-april2011.html#FourSat, 16 Apr 2011 12:33:16 -0400 Wow! And thanks! We finally took a breath to tally up the results of 'The Great 2010 Rand Sign-up Contest'. And the results were nothing short of incredible.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-april2011.html#ThreeFri, 15 Apr 2011 13:53:38 -0400 Agriculture Union activists from across the country joined over 150 other Public Service Alliance of Canada members at this month's PSAC National Conference for Racially Visible Members in Vancouver.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-april2011.html#TwoThu, 14 Apr 2011 15:38:58 -0400 Once again, the Agriculture Union Social Justice Fund and Local 90004 are working together to deliver a happier Easter for deserving Prince Edward Island families.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-april2011.html#OneTue, 12 Apr 2011 14:02:54 -0400 The Agriculture Union's KeyInfo workplace information kit is a valuable source of information on a wide variety of workplace issues and solutions.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-march2011.html#FiveTue, 29 Mar 2011 15:48:20 -0400 The official call to our 2011 Triennial National Convention is now in the hands of all Agriculture Union Locals, beginning the countdown to the August 17 to 19 event in Vancouver, British Columbia.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-march2011.html#FourThu, 17 Mar 2011 17:07:06 -0400 Anyone who spends time with a computer knows that technology is far from infallible. So it was with the Agriculture Union's Web site, which went 'down' for much of last Friday.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-march2011.html#ThreeTues, 15 Mar 2011 17:34:19 -0400 A new round of contract negotiations for our Canadian Food Inspection Agency members is officially underway. Our bargaining agent, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, has issued a Program of Demands and Input Call.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-march2011.html#TwoThu, 03 Mar 2011 16:43:53 -0500 The Conservative government's Transformation of Pay Administration Initiative has started. This project that will see all pay services positions across federal departments relocated to Miramichi, New Brunswick.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-march2011.html#OneTue, 01 Mar 2011 06:00:01 -0500 Our bargaining agent, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, has hired one of the country's most respected polling firms to conduct a large-scale opinion survey of its members.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-february2011.html#OneThurs, 24 Feb 2011 17:09:22 -0500 The National Joint Council (NJC) has issued an updated Occupational Health and Safety Directive that took effect at the start of this month.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-january2011.html#FourMon, 24 Jan 2011 15:00:24 -0500 We're pleased to announce our December winner in the Agriculture Union's 'Great 2010 Rand Sign-Up Contest'.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-january2011.html#ThreeFri, 21 Jan 2011 16:31:55 -0500 When the clock struck midnight last New Year's Eve, it also began the countdown to the Agriculture Union's Triennial National Convention.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-january2011.html#TwoTue, 11 Jan 2011 19:04:41 -0500 Here they come! The annual round of Agriculture Union Regional Seminars kicks off late January and continues throughout the following three months.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-january2011.html#OneThu, 06 Jan 2011 19:36:08 -0500 The National Office has produced another issue of Health and Safety, our bulletin containing information of specific concern and interest to all members concerned with workplace health and safety.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-december2010.html#FiveMon, 20 Dec 2010 10:17:19 -0500 The Agriculture Union proudly launched its first-ever Human Rights Conference today. It is no coincidence that today, December 10th is International Human Rights Day.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-december2010.html#FourFri, 10 Dec 2010 17:53:15 -0500 As part of its ongoing examination of the safety of Canada's food system, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food has turned its attention to the role of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in monitoring imported foodstuffs.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-december2010.html#ThreeThu, 09 Dec 2010 12:42:43 -0500 Congratulations to Chantal Landry. She's the latest monthly winner in our 2010 contest to sign up 'Rands', dues-paying co-workers who, for one reason or another, have yet to sign a union card.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-december2010.html#TwoThu, 02 Dec 2010 15:36:46 -0500 Only one in three Canadians has a high level of confidence in Canada's food inspection system. And 16 per cent have no confidence whatsoever.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-december2010.html#OneWed, 01 Dec 2010 08:29:03 -0500 It is important Locals ensure those persons who participate as management representatives on workplace health and safety committees or as representatives are persons who actually exercise 'managerial functions'. http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-november2010.html#ThreeTue, 30 Nov 2010 10:23:13 -0500 National President Bob Kingston says the Harper government is misrepresenting its progress addressing some of the most important recommendations for reform of Canada's food inspection system made in the wake of the 2008 Maple Leaf Foods listeriosis outbreak.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-november2010.html#TwoThurs, 04 Nov 2010 12:33:42 -0500 Congratulations to Rozina Anwar! She's the latest monthly winner in our 2010 contest to sign up 'Rands', dues-paying co-workers who, for one reason or another, have yet to sign a union card.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-november2010.html#OneTues,02 Nov 2010 10:31:16 -0500 Appointment to an acting position can mean an opportunity to build career skills or to 'look before you leap' to a new type of government job.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-october2010.html#SixMon, 25 Oct 2010 08:14:24 -0400 Several of our Locals, in different parts of the country, have recently reported being approached by individuals purporting to be from the 'Agriculture Union' selling such items as pocket knives.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-october2010.html#FiveFri, 22 Oct 2010 15:01:34 -0400 The Agriculture Union's own Meraiah Krebs was among the graduates of the 2010 Labour College of Canada program to be honoured at the most recent meeting of the National Board of Directors of the Public Service Alliance of Canada.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-october2010.html#FourTue, 19 Oct 2010 14:07:10 -0400 It's a case of a good deed not quickly forgotten.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-october2010.html#ThreeMon, 11 Oct 2010 10:23:12 -0400 Barely two weeks after our bargaining agent, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, entered early contract talks with Treasury Board, tentative agreements have been reached for Agriculture Union members belonging to the Program and Administrative Services (PA), Operational Services (SV) and Education and Library Science groups (EB).http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-october2010.html#TwoTue, 05 Oct 2010 09:15:17 -0400 We're pleased to announce our September winner in the Agriculture Union's 'Great 2010 Rand Sign-Up Contest'.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-october2010.html#OneFri, 01 Oct 2010 08:13:29 -0400 The Agriculture Union and our bargaining agent, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, are actively engaged in the highly-questionable move by the Conservative government to uproot hundreds of compensation advisors across the country and ship the jobs to Miramichi, New Brunswick.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-september2010.html#NineTue, 28 Sep 2010 08:59:31 -0400 The Agriculture Union is proud to announce that our first-ever Human Rights Conference will be held December 10-11, 2010 in Ottawa. This landmark decision was taken by delegates to our 2008 Triennial National Convention.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-september2010.html#EightMon, 27 Sep 2010 09:21:15 -0400 Chronic staffing shortages are behind yet another public embarrassment for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency – this time due to the lack of proper oversight of imported foods.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-september2010.html#SevenFri, 24 Sep 2010 11:01:08 -0400 As we reported last week, the Public Service Alliance of Canada and Treasury Board have agreed to move up the date of planned contract talks for a new collective agreement for all Agriculture Union members employed by Treasury Board.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-september2010.html#SixTue, 21 Sep 2010 16:21:04 -0400 Our bargaining agent, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, and the employer have agreed to jumpstart negotiations for a new collective agreement for all Agriculture Union members employed by Treasury Board.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-september2010.html#FiveThu, 16 Sep 2010 14:54:30 -0400 Individuals in need half a world apart are to benefit from additional funding from the Agriculture Union Social Justice Fund for two proven projects.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-september2010.html#FourFri, 10 Sep 2010 10:04:58 -0400 Our EG members at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) who have recently received response letters regarding their Statement of Duties (SoD) grievances are being providing misleading information by the Employer.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-september2010.html#ThreeSat, 04 Sep 2010 20:25:56 -0400 Congratulations to Andrea Goode! Andrea is the latest monthly winner in our 2010 contest to sign up 'Rands', dues-paying co-workers who, for one reason or another, have yet to sign a union card.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-september2010.html#TwoFri, 03 Sep 2010 06:44:14 -0400 Disadvantaged youth in the core areas of Saskatoon are the latest to benefit from the Agriculture Union Social Justice Fund.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-september2010.html#OneThu, 02 Sep 2010 15:25:53 -0400 Congratulations to Jacqueline Dallaire! Jacqueline is the latest monthly winner in our 2010 contest to sign up 'Rands', dues-paying co-workers who, for one reason or another, have yet to sign a union card.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-august2010.html#ThreeThu, 05 Aug 2010 07:33:44 -0400 The Agriculture Union Committee that oversees our Social Justice Fund has approved funding for a new overseas project and continued backing of three worthy projects in Nova Scotia.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-august2010.html#TwoWed, 04 Aug 2010 08:54:12 -0400 Our EG members at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada who filed Statement of Duties/Work Description (WD) and Acting Pay grievances should now have received response letters from the employer. We are very disappointed in the responses since they do not include the rationale for the decision rendered.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-august2010.html#OneMon, 02 Aug 2010 19:41:59 -0400 We're pleased to announce our latest monthly winner of the Agriculture Union's 'Great 2010 Rand Sign-Up Contest'.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-july2010.html#FiveWed, 28 Jul 2010 12:21:48 -0400 Union-Management Consultation on the issue of the seven-day work week currently being proposed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for seven of its Food Microbiology Laboratories has taken place at the national level.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-july2010.html#FourThu, 22 Jul 2010 09:41:44 -0400 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's mail-out of grievance response letters regarding Statement of Duties and Acting Pay grievances filed by our EG members has been delayed a week.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-july2010.html#ThreeTue, 20 Jul 2010 16:28:29 -0400 Last month, we reported that the fate of some 200 Statement of Duties and Acting Pay grievances filed by our members at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada was now in the hands of the employer. A commitment had been made by AAFC to mail individual letters indicating the decision of the EG Grievance Committee by the end of July.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-july2010.html#TwoWed, 14 Jul 2010 13:38:01 -0400 Now that the year is half over, it's time for all our Locals to take stock of their success to date in signing up Rands – co-workers who for one reason or another have yet to sign a union card.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-july2010.html#OneThu, 01 Jul 2010 09:41:12 -0400 Who better knows your job than you do? That has always been the premise underlying the lengthy GL Review at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-june2010.html#ThreeFri, 25 June 2010 13:1416 -0400 After almost 18 months of presenting approximately two hundred Statement of Duties and Acting Pay grievances filed by our members at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the EG Grievance Committee hearings have concludedhttp://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-june2010.html#TwoThu, 17 Jun 2010 07:03:21 -0400 Congratulations to Vivian Tsang! Vivian is the latest monthly winner in our 2010 contest to sign up 'Rands', dues-paying co-workers who, for one reason or another, have yet to sign a union card.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-june2010.html#OneWed, 16 Jun 2010 17:51:32 -0400 We're pleased to unveil an important new addition to our ever-expanding Web site – the Agriculture Union Boutique.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-may2010.html#ThreeMon, 24 May 2010 09:58:08 -0400 Cool and wet weather failed to dampen the enthusiasm of Agriculture Union Locals 27 and 43 members as they joined fellow unionists, family and friends in celebrating May Day in Penticton, British Columbia.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-may2010.html#TwoWed, 12 May 2010 18:39:59 -0400 We're pleased to announce the April winnere of the current Agriculture Union Rand recruitment contest: Lahmidi Kadem of Local 70138, representing our Department of National Defence members in Ottawa-Gatineau.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-may2010.html#OneTue, 11 May 2010 15:58:16 -0400 Members of the CFIA National Occupational Safety and Health Committee took time today from their meetings to mark the April 28 Annual Day of Mourning for Canadian Workers. http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-april2010.html#EightWed, 28 Apr 2010 14:09:04 -0400 Agriculture Union member Harmesh Sidher has kindly sent us a recent update on the ongoing progress of the rural development project – partially supported by our Social Justice Fund in the remote Indian village of Musepur.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-april2010.html#SevenFri, 23 Apr 2010 10:51:24 -0400 The Committee vetting all funding applications for the Agriculture Union's Social Justice Fund has approved two new projects – one in Canada and one overseas.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-april2010.html#SixTue, 20 Apr 2010 07:43:59 -0400 Jan Pennington is the Agriculture Union's new Alternate Regional Vice-President for the Eastern Atlantic region.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-april2010.html#FiveSun, 18 Apr 2010 15:11:46 -0400 Each April 28, the Canadian labour movement pauses to acknowledge and honour those brothers and sisters who died on the job or passed away due to workplace disease or injury.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-april2010.html#FourSat, 17 Apr 2010 11:11:33 -0400 We're pleased to announce our latest monthly winner of the Agriculture Union's 'Great 2010 Rand Sign-Up Contest'.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-april2010.html#ThreeThu, 15 Apr 2010 06:57:48 -0400 A Policy Grievance was filed in May 2009 on behalf of our members in the Assessment Service Division within the Regina Office of AgriStability with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. This was done due to the employer's change in criteria used to determine overtime distribution for employees covered by the Program and Administration Services collective agreement.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-april2010.html#TwoWed, 14 Apr 2010 07:03:40 -0400 They've done it again. And many less-fortunate families in Prince Edward Island are glad they did.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-april2010.html#OneWed, 07 Apr 2010 10:27:04 -0400 Agriculture Union members who work for the Public Service Commission and the Canada School of Public Service have a new Alternate National Director.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-march2010.html#EightTue, 23 Mar 2010 07:44:14 -0400 It was hard to miss this past week's extensive media coverage of the Agriculture Union's pressure on the government to address chronic understaffing at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-march2010.html#SevenMon, 22 Mar 2010 11:02:41 -0400 Thanks in part to financial support from the Agriculture Union Human Rights Committee, three First Nations students will be in New York later this month to witness deliberations of the United Nations Human Rights Committee.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-march2010.html#SixFri, 19 Mar 2010 06:54:10 -0400 It's not like they didn't have a chance to act!http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-march2010.html#FiveThurs, 18 Mar 2010 08:16:33 -0400 New food safety issues, pressure from south of the border and delayed staffing by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are threatening to push this country's already over-stretched food safety regime to the breaking point.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-march2010.html#FourWed, 17 Mar 2010 12:16:22 -0400 Congratulations to Hélène Mayer! Helene is the latest monthly winner in our 2010 contest to sign up 'Rands', dues-paying co-workers who, for one reason or another, have yet to sign a union card.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-march2010.html#ThreeWed, 10 Mar 2010 10:45:07 -0500 Have you ever considered applying to be a delegate to one of the PSAC Equity conferences?http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-march2010.html#TwoTue, 02 Mar 2010 04:55:33 -0500 If you're working, you're paying for it with nearly 10 per cent of your wages. If you're about to retire, you're depending on it for a secure living into your old age. But that could change for the worse if we all don't act now! http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-march2010.html#OneMon, 01 Mar 2010 13:48:49 -0500 Cameron Richard turned three on February 5. For parents Melissa Hackett and Greg Richard, their daughter's birthday was more than special. It was in many ways miraculous. For some had feared that 'Cammie' might not survive to reach it.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-february2010.html#SixMon, 22 Feb 2010 09:16:13 -0500 The Agriculture Union's Social Justice Fund enters 2010 with a solid record of achievement over the past year.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-february2010.html#FiveThu, 18 Feb 2010 10:58:13 -0500 The Agriculture Union's 'Great 2010 Rand Sign-Up Contest' is off to an excellent start!http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-february2010.html#FourWed, 17 Feb 2010 08:32:38 -0500 Our Social Justice Fund has received an on-the-ground report of the progress being done on a major two-year community development initiative in the east-African nation of Mozambique. The project is sponsored by Marianne Hladun, a member of Local 22 in Saskatoon.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-february2010.html#ThreeMon, 08 Feb 2010 12:38:54 -0500 Our bargaining agent, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, has issued its official call for the 2010 National Access Conference for members with disabilities.http://www.agrunion.com/en/newscurrentmonth.html#TwoFri, 05 Feb 2010 12:24:56 -0500 The Agriculture Union has formally adopted our own 'green policy'.http://www.agrunion.com/en/newscurrentmonth.html#OneMon, 01 Feb 2010 14.37:00 -0500 It has recently come to our attention that our GL members at AAFC have received a questionnaire to fill out as part of the GL Review. This unilateral initiative was launched without consultation with the Agriculture Union GL Review working group.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-january2010.html#SixFri, 29 Jan 2010 14:46:43 -0500 The latest issue of the Agriculture Union's Health and Safety bulletin has now been sent to our Locals for distribution to the membership.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-january2010.html#FiveThu, 28 Jan 2010 19:18:28 -0500 The Agriculture Union and Canada's largest consumer organization, Option Consommateurs, have given the Harper government a near-failing grade on efforts to ensure there will be no repeat of the infamous Maple Leaf Foods listeriosis outbreak.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-january2010.html#FourThu, 28 Jan 2010 10:16:20 -0500 Get out your pencils or get on your computer because the Agriculture Union Human Rights Committee is looking for a logo and all members in good standing are invited to submit their ideas.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-january2010.html#ThreeMon, 25 Jan 2010 08:21:59 -0500 Members who have been required to perform health and safety duties (outside of volunteering for workplace Health and Safety Committees) have now received their Health and Safety Addendums. These will become part of the work description for their positions.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-january2010.html#TwoFri, 22 Jan 2010 14:20:02 -0500 Our union's Social Justice Fund has made a $10,000 donation for badly-needed Haitian relief.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-january2010.html#OneWed, 20 Jan 2010 12:18:09 -0500 The next PSAC National Pride Conference will be held March 26-28/09 in Toronto. The registration deadline for delegates and observers is 4 p.m. EST, Friday, January 15.http://www.agrunion.com/en/news-december2009.html#SixWed, 23 Dec 2009 15:40:34 -0500 Ever get that weird feeling that you've already lived through an unfolding event? If so, you can well understand our frustration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada when it comes to the GL Review!http://www.agrunion.com/en/news-december2009.html#FiveFri, 18 Dec 2009 10:32:39 -0500 Three years ago, we launched a highly-successful workplace campaign to sign up 'Rands' – co-workers who for a variety of reasons had yet to formally join the Agriculture Union - Public Service Alliance of Canada.http://www.agrunion.com/en/news-december2009.html#FourTue, 15 Dec 2009 11:31:22 -0500 The Agriculture Union's Social Justice Fund supports a wide range of projects. Some are within Canada; others are overseas. Some are limited in time; some are ongoing.http://www.agrunion.com/en/news-december2009.html#ThreeThu, 10 Dec 2009 16:54:04 -0500 It turns out that our last Web story, posted November 17, on the Agriculture Union's fight for a gender-neutral classification system at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency inadvertently caused some confusion.http://www.agrunion.com/en/news-december2009.html#TwoMon, 07 Dec 2009 10:19:44 -0500 Hundreds of deserving African orphans will have a happier holiday season thanks to the strong support of our Nova Scotia members.http://www.agrunion.com/en/news-december2009.html#OneFri, 04 Dec 2009 14:46:33 -0500 "Put your grievances in abeyance." That's the message the Agriculture Union is sending to our members at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as CFIA has agreed to consider a new classification system.http://www.agrunion.com/en/news-november2009.html#FourTue, 17 Nov 2009 16:30:35 -0500 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is now in the process of fine-tuning the mapping-to-job descriptions. Some steps may have been missed during the process; therefore, some on-site visits are being scheduled in order to evaluate a number of the identified discrepancies.http://www.agrunion.com/en/news-november2009.html#FourMon, 16 Nov 2009 14:53:16 -0500 Around this time of year, many members are looking to receive the popular annual calendar produced by our bargaining agent, the Public Service Alliance of Canada.http://www.agrunion.com/en/news-november2009.html#TwoFri, 13 Nov 2009 07:26:53 -0500 The Agriculture Union on September 30 met with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for a regular meeting of the joint National Occupational Safety and Health Policy Committee.http://www.agrunion.com/en/news-november2009.html#OneTue, 10 Nov 2009 11:51:31 -0500 The Agriculture Union today takes the wraps off a completely new Web site. You’ll find all the content from our old site, along with new features and additional information. And it’s all presented in a simpler, cleaner ‘look’ that improves usability.http://agrunion.com/en/news-october2009.html#ThreeThurs, 22 Oct 2009 07:09:16 -0400 Congratulations to Marie-Josée Cardinal and Brent Puchalski. These two young people are the latest recipients of the Agriculture Union’s ROP Bursary.http://agrunion.com/en/news-october2009.html#TwoFri,16 Oct 2009 011:02:29-0400 Congratulations to Wendy Hooisma, who submitted the winning design for a new logo for our Social Justice Fund.http://agrunion.com/en/news-october2009.html#OneTues, 6 Oct 2009 14:38:22 -0400 The Agriculture Union has welcomed the Conservative government’s decision to implement the recommendations of the ‘Weatherill Report’ into the August 2008 listeriosis outbreak at Maple Leaf Foods. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz made the announcement September 11.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-september2009.html#TwoMon, 14 Sept 2009 09:12:38 -0400 Late last month, we reported our concerns over the Conservative government’s move to devolve the AgriStability program managed by the Farm Income Programs Directorate (FIPD) to provincial governments of Saskatchewan and British Columbia.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-august2009.html#ThreeFri, 28 Aug 2009 06:53:01 -0400 Conservative members of the House of Commons Agriculture Committee have successfully - and, seemingly sneakily - torpedoed opposition attempts to launch a public inquiry into last year’s deadly listeriosis crisis.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-august2009.html#TwoThu, 27 Aug 2009 10:51:44 -0400 Community development work by the Zambo ni Zambo Team in the east-African country of Mozambique is but one of the projects currently supported by the Agriculture Union’s Social Justice Fund.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-august2009.html#OneSun, 02 Aug 2009 12:24:15 -0400 The Agriculture Union is skeptical about the merits of the federal government’s plan to offload the delivery of the AgriStability program from the federal jurisdiction to provincial jurisdictions in Saskatchewan and British Columbia.http://www.agrunion.com/en/news-july2009.html#ThreeSat, 01 Aug 2009 12:42:35 -0400 The Agriculture Union and its members at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have been working hard to force the employer to implement a gender-neutral classification system.http://www.agrunion.com/en/news-july2009.html#TwoSat, 18 Jul 2009 07:03:24 -0400 The National Office has only recently received the official signed-off version of the new collective agreement covering Agriculture Union members employed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.http://www.agrunion.com/en/news-july2009.html#OneFri, 03 Jul 2009 14:26:11 -0400 The National Office is currently attempting to cope with an extraordinary backlog of grievances.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-june2009.html#SevenTue, 23 Jun 2009 12:05:45 -0400 Chalk up another victory for food safety and the influence of the Agriculture Union with federal politicians.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-june2009.html#SixFri, 19 Jun 2009 08:23:23 -0400 The Public Service Commission and the Agriculture Union met, on June 11, 2009, for the bi-annual National Union Management Consultative Committee meeting.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-june2009.html#FiveFri, 19 Jun 2009 07:51:58 -0400 Members Harmesh Sidher and Sid Wong from British Columbia report that good progress is being made on the building of a new schoolhouse in the remote Indian village Musepur, near the Nepalese border. The project is being partially supported by the Agriculture Union’s Social Justice Fund.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-june2009.html#FourWed, 17 Jun 2009 13:24:09 -0400 Agriculture Union members appreciate that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will likely never win an Olympic medal for public openness.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-june2009.html#ThreeFri, 12 Jun 2009 14:55:40 -0400 Kami Swanson is a Feed Specialist Inspector with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. A member of Local 74 in Red Deer, Alberta, she recently returned from a rather unique business trip.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-june2009.html#OneMon, 01 Jun 2009 07:35:04 -0400 Late this afternoon, National President Bob Kingston presented the position of the Agriculture Union regarding the shortcomings of Canada's food inspection program before the Food Safety Sub-committee of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food.http://www.agrunion.com/en/news-may2009.html#SixMon, 25 May 2009 19:55:05 -0400 For the third consecutive year, Local 4 has set the scene – and the table – for a happier Easter for many of Prince Edward Island’s less fortunate families.http://www.agrunion.com/en/news-may2009.html#FiveThu, 21 May 2009 10:39:34 -0400 The vast majority of Canadians want government to step in and play a much more active role to ensure food safety because they don’t trust industry to do the job, according to a new Nanos survey commissioned by the Agriculture Union.http://www.agrunion.com/en/news-may2009.html#FourThu, 21 May 2009 10:36:56 -0400 National President Bob Kingston will be airing the Agriculture Union’s concerns over the effectiveness of Canada’s food inspection system before a high-profile inquiry into the safety of Canada’s food supply.http://www.agrunion.com/en/news-may2009.html#ThreeWed, 13 May 2009 15:04:01 -0400 There was a full agenda on the table this week as the Agriculture Union sat down with Canada School of Public Service management at one of our regular National Labour Management Consultation Committee meetings.http://www.agrunion.com/en/news-may2009.html#TwoFri, 08 May 2009 12:57:48 -0400 Necessary steps to safeguard your union membership when on an extended leave without pay are now clearly set out in the Constitution of our bargaining agent, the Public Service Alliance of Canada.http://www.agrunion.com/en/news-may2009.html#OneThu, 07 May 2009 16:30:22 -0400 The National Office disappears next week…for renovations.http://www.agrunion.com/en/currentmonthsnews.html#ThreeFri, 10 Apr 2009 14:32:20 -0400 While he couldn’t come right out and say it, the CEO of the Canadian Grain Commission has all but confirmed in a message to staff what we reported last Thursday – that the government’s proposed legislation attacking the CGC is on shaky ground.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-april2009.html#TwoWed, 08 Apr 2009 06:40:05 -0400 National President Bob Kingston has congratulated the Parliamentary opposition parties for having united to reject Bill C-13, Conservative government legislation attacking the historic role and operations of the Canadian Grain Commission.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicatagricultureunion-news-april2009.html#OneThu, 02 Apr 2009 20:01:09 -0400 We need your help to stop the latest attempt by the Harper government to avoid public and Parliamentary scrutiny of their policies and activities.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicateagricultureunion-news-march2009.html#SixFri, 27 Mar 2009 10:12:45 -0400 Harassment is a true workplace cancer, assaulting the worth of individuals and poisoning entire job sites.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicateagricultureunion-news-march2009.html#FiveMon, 23 Mar 2009 13:20:45 -0400 Scarcely two months since the official launch of our Social Justice Fund (SJF), the Committee charged with vetting funding requests has given the green light to three projects put forward by Agriculture Union members.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicateagricultureunion-news-march2009.html#FourWed, 18 Mar 2009 13:18:40 -0400 Our congratulations to Deborah Young, Local 2 activist and, now, the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour’s ‘Woman of the Year’!http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicateagricultureunion-news-march2009.html#ThreeTue, 12 Mar 2009 13:14:57 -0400 Local 22 members in Saskatoon have put their own ‘stamp’ on a campaign to ‘lick’ federal legislation attacking both free collective bargaining and hard-won pay equity payouts.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicateagricultureunion-news-march2009.html#TwoThu, 05 Mar 2009 11:14:42 -0500 The idea was great. The timing was less than ideal.http://www.agrunion.com/en/syndicateagricultureunion-news-march2009.html#OneThu, 05 Mar 2009 11:12:25 -0500 A news release issued today by National President Bob Kingston has attacked the Harper government for once again placing legislation amending the Canada Grain Act before the House of Commons.http://www.agrunion.com/en/news-february2009.html#ThreeTue, 24 Feb 2009 16:50:06 -0500 In the latest enhancement to our Web site, the Agriculture Union is now pleased to offer members the opportunity to subscribe to our Instant News service.http://www.agrunion.com/en/news-february2009.html#TwoTue, 10 Feb 2009 09:24:03 -0500 Haggis at a Chinese New Year’s eve banquet? You bet! The Scottish uh 'delicacy 'was being served up at the ‘Gung Haggis Fat Choy Robbie Burns and Chinese New Year's Eve Dinner’ in Vancouver on January 25. The annual event is organized by Todd Wong - a fifth-generation Chinese-Canadian, librarian and member of the Canadian Union of Public Employees – as a fun way to recognize the pioneering role played by the two cultural communities.http://www.agrunion.com/en/news-february2009.html#OneTue, 10 Feb 2009 09:23:54 -0500