On March 25, 2024, RVP Carol Osborne was in Kingston for the annual general meeting of USJE Local 00143.
At the AGM, RVP Osborne met with members and helped celebrate and recognize the careers of two Local Executive members: Paige Humber and Natalie Doyle were presented long-term service awards. The awards were submitted in 2022, but were delayed on account of the COVID pandemic. Janelle Bucci, Local President, and RVP Osborne presented the certificates and pins to the recipients, who were in attendance virtually from British Columbia and in-person in Kingston.
RVP Osborne provided a brief history of the Local since it was reactivated in 2011. She expressed her admiration at the growth rate and the vitality of Local 00143. The invaluable work of representation the Locals do is the backbone of unions and Local 00143 is a commendable example of dynamism.
Both President Bucci and RVP Osborne thanked the members for their support and solidarity during the historic PSAC Strike in April, 2023. All members, whether they were on the picket line or filling roles deemed essential, played an important role in the success of the ratification of the new collective bargaining agreement.
RVP Osborne spoke on USJE’s Presumptive Injury Campaign and its importance to members of the Parole Board, considering the operational risk inherent with their positions. She reminded the members that Bill C-357, tabled in the fall of 2023, contains all the changes to the GECA USJE wishes to see implemented.
RVP Osborne encouraged members to stay informed of all updates from the union by following the USJE and PSAC websites and social media platforms, in addition to listening to Union Safety Net, USJE’s new podcast.
RVP Osborne concluded by addressing the paramount USJE value of equity, with an overview of the newly appointed National Equity Committee and the important role the Committee plays in addressing the membership’s equity concerns.