On October 16 and 17, more than 30 USJE members, the National President, 5 USJE Regional Vice Presidents from the Ontario/NCR regions, and staff participated in the Ontario Regional Bargaining Training session and roving rallies in Ottawa.
On day one, after introductions, RVPs Bill Bailey and Bella Skalin introduced the process for joining the PSAC Collective Bargaining Team, which was then elaborated upon by PSAC Representatives Stephanie Penwarden and Kenny Kashirahamwe.
During the lunch break, National President David Neufeld, and RVP Sonia O’Brien-Colterman led the group across the street to Justice Canada Headquarters to protest the return to office mandate introduced in September. USJE thanks PSAC NCR and CAPE for standing in solidarity.
In the afternoon, participants split into breakout groups to review the bargaining demands that were submitted to PSAC from within the region, and to create new bargaining demands. Demands included themes around telework, vacation, bereavement entitlements and job security. This process continued into day two, when participants were asked to motivate on specific demands as part of the prioritization process.
The second day’s lunch break saw the group mobilize into our first roving rally (an idea by President Neufeld)! Members marched across downtown Ottawa, visiting three job sites where USJE workers have been forced to comply with the three-day in-office mandate: the Courts Administration Service, Public Safety Canada, and the Correctional Service of Canada (NHQ). USJE is so proud of our members for standing behind the campaign to scrap the mandate. All USJE members can send a letter to push Minister Anita Anand to adopt a nuanced approach to hybrid work.
At the end of two days, eight members were elected to attend the PSAC National Bargaining Conference in February 2025. Six alternates were also elected.
SV
- Heather Whiteley
- Kyle Grace
- Richard Sweetman
- Alternate:
- Jason Provost
PA
- JR Legault
- Julie Nelson
- Janelle Bucci
- Kathy Samuel
- Yves Scott
- Alternates:
- Erin Brennan
- Daryl Hurov
- Jena Russell
- Ian Reodica
Thank you to our participants, PSAC representatives and USJE staff for ensuring a successful event. USJE’s next regional training conference for the Pacific Region takes place November 5-6 in Vancouver.