On May 27, Local 2A086 President, Colleen Desmarais and Regional Vice President (RVP), Jeff Sandelli, attended the Kelowna Area Parole Office to provide a lunch information session.
As the room was filled with a mix of new and seasoned members, the meeting commenced with a review of the role of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the relationship with our component, the Union of Safety and Justice Employees (USJE).
The conversation continued with an overview of the bargaining process and indication where we are currently positioned. The group was provided with information as well as encouragement to visit the PSAC Treasury Board (TB)Bargaining website where they could review and compare the TB & Union proposals as well as gather the latest updates. The group was encouraged to update their PSAC membership profiles where they could select which bargaining updates they wanted to receive. They were also provided with strategies to show support for the bargaining team.
The discussion then turned to the numerous governmental cuts that have been taking place under the Comprehensive Expenditure Review (CER). The office was very familiar with the stark reality of this process as one of the members in the room had been impacted directly as CSC had served notice that their Community Employment Coordinator (CEC) position had been abolished. Dialogue took place with respect to USJE’s Budget cut campaign, focusing on trying to protect the critical work our members undertake by engaging in political action, holding mobilization events, offering Townhall updates and running the safetyinjeopardy.ca website where an article was already penned and posted on the CEC.
The group was reminded that the CSC had plans to undertake another round of cuts, which they have forecasted to take place in the area of Programs. As part of the ongoing pushback against such cuts, USJE released the independently commissioned research on the experiences and perspectives of federal Correctional Program Officers on March 25, 2026. The group was reminded that they could contribute to the campaign by filling out the form on safetyinjeopardy.ca to notify members of parliament of their concern and further by engaging in various mobilization activities.
The CR-03/04 Campaign was the next order of discussion, with a couple of people in the room having familiarity as they understood the initial consultation that had taken place by way of the Equity Committee who has been assigned to develop and guide the process. It was impressed upon those in the room that these particular groups, comprised primarily of women, had been identified for support given that they had significant concerns with respect to job descriptions, working conditions, training, advancement, workload, safety and wages that barely meet the cost of living. Many in this particular group have reported having to work more than one job in order to make basic ends meet. The CR-03/04’s were encouraged to complete the current survey in order to help USJE continue to evolve and build a strategy of support, while it was impressed upon others in the room that showing support for this highly depended upon and marginalized group would be a strong way to show union solidarity.
Particular questions arose with respect to CSC’s recently released, Commissioner’s Directive (CD) 715 & 715-1, primarily with respect to the concerns around consultation taking place 3 years ago and promulgation occurring without notice and immediate implementation with dozens of outstanding questions being unanswered and no resources being attached. It was explained to the group that this was a national concern and that our President had already engaged in direct talks with the Commissioner with more information to come.
The conversation around change dovetailed into a discussion around mental wellness/health. The room acknowledged the difficulties that had been faced by our members and the need for ongoing intervention and changes to the way that CSC does business. The group was introduced to the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research & Treatment (CIPSRT) with a focus on the associated self assessment tools and the renowned internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy modules that are self-paced and free. They were encouraged to explore the resources, if not for themselves then for their colleagues as it was exceedingly important that we they look out for one another given the mutual trust and understanding.
The group was reminded to stay connected with USJE by following on social media, signing up for the newsletter and listening to our podcast, the Union Safety Net. Former section President, Ken Byl and current Shop Steward, Sundeep Jassi, were thanked for their contributions in organizing the lunch time event.