Greetings,
On behalf of the Agriculture Union, I would like to wish the very best this holiday season and a happy new year.
This has been a stressful year for most of us with the rumors of budget cuts and possible workforce adjustments. My thoughts especially going to our members who have already received their notifications that their jobs are affected.
The Agriculture Union has national workforce adjustment and employment transition committees ready to start with all our employers. We want to make sure that our members are treated as fairly and equitably as possible, and have the information and support they need to make the best decisions for themselves if they are put in a workforce adjustment or employment transition situation. This will be our most pressing concern.
The Union will also continue to promote the good work our members do through the media and other avenues. In the time that government employment in general has gone up by thirty percent, every department the Agriculture Union represents has dropped by roughly ten percent. We will continue to insist that there is no room for further job cuts in any of our departments.
With the hiring of a communications officer position, we have been able to get our members’ stories out and the good work that they do on behalf of Canadians. This will include the relaunch of our Food Safety First campaign in the new year.
Over the last year we have had several noteworthy achievements. The CFIA bargaining team has been selected and will soon be following the Treasury Board units into bargaining with the employer. In consultation with the CFIA through the pay equity committee, the new pay equity plan is being posted and should lead to increased compensation for some of our traditionally female-dominated positions. Stay tuned to the CFIA website for further updates.
2026 will be a big year as we fight for our members. It’s also as a convention year when the Agriculture Union and PSAC regional conventions choose their leadership and the priorities for the following three years.
I would like to thank the employees of the Agriculture Union for the work they do.
I would also like to thank all the Agriculture Union representatives across the country who volunteer their time and energy to aid their fellow workers and help protect their rights.
Finally, I would like to thank all our members who make up our union.
Wishing you all the best for the holiday season,
Milton Dyck
National President, Agriculture Union