Passport Office on Strike

[NancyK]

DH went to the passport office today and they are part of the government workers currently on strike. Apparently the strike isn't supposed to last too long. I hope that's true.

 

[peigirl]

Hi NancyK

I am in the same union and was on strike today also. I just got a call this evening to inform me that we would be striking again tomorrow unless a settlement is reached tonight. We are very, very hopeful that one will be reached soon. Actually, I worked for 20 minutes this a.m. before I found out that we were striking. It was a big surprise for all of us today as talks are going well.

Paula

 

[TimNDansMom]

Sure glad that we do not need new Passports!

OT: Nice to run into you yesterday, Nancy, while dropping our sons off at Western. Amazing how quickly the conversation turned to Disney, though, don't you think?

 

[Debbie]

I got a call from the Passport Office at work last week. My fingers are crossed that it got processed is now in the mail.....should be here in.......???

Julie, you're lucky that Dan let you take him back. My girl had a friend drive her to the bus going back to Queen's. "You don't mind, do you Mommy? I need to have lunch with my friends!"

 

[Sandyincanada]

hi Paula, ......what table are you? I'm from Revenue Canada..we've been out off and on for the last 5 weeks. We pretty much knew we'd be out today and until its settled. I just read that Operations have an agreement, hoping we are next, lol. As usual, I'm waiting for a call, checking the news, checking the psac website, grrrrrr wish this was over already, for us, its been a loooooonnnnnnnggggg time.

 

[filet1970]

Hey Sandyincanada, hang in there!
I'm from Table 1 and rumor in Ottawa today was that now that Park Canada and Table 2 reached a tentative agreement, you guys at Revenue would be next ... Table 1 being last in line!
Sure are a lot of people of the PSAC website....it's taking forever to open today!
Hope this strikes doesn't last too long 'cause I need to get my passport done before I leave on Nov6!

 

[Sandyincanada]

hiya Filet...... I hope so, its the never knowing day to day that is driving me crazy, lol

I dont think the PSAC website was ready for all of us, lol...its very slow sometimes.

It sounds like we will all be back shortly, at least they are talking now. Good luck on the picket lines tomorrow Lets hope for sunshine and NO RAIN!

 

[Sandyincanada]

Nancy and for any one interested, we are out on strike again today, Wednesday <sigh> but they still are talking today, a good sign.

 

[TimNDansMom]

Hope your passport arrives soon, Debbie. (I think the main reason Dan had us drive him back and forth was because he brought home 3 bags of laundry and both his guitars so he felt there wouldn't be enough room with anyone else!! )

Yikes, filet1970! Nov. 6 is coming up quickly! Good luck!

 

[CrazeeGrammaG]

Hey there

Good luck you guys. I'm also a PSAC member but work for one of the other Crown Corps.

We have picketers here today from customs.

 

[filet1970]

Hey Sandyincanada! Just heard on the news that Revenue is close to a deal! Lucky you!
Now I'm trying to figure if there's a chance that Table 1 might also reach an agreement before tomorrow. I left Ottawa after my 4 hrs yesterday (today I went to my doctor!) and I'm wondering if I should stay in Montreal tonight. If we're still on strike, I would picket in Montreal tomorrow and see old colleagues. Chances are there'll be more action here than NHQ.
Funny...still have my On strike sticker on my jacket and I got a lot of stares and questions from people today!

 

[Sandyincanada]

Wow...I haven't heard anything yet, not even a rumour lol. Hope so, we've been out (rotational) since Sept 9. Put in my 4 hours today and it was coooolllllllddddddd.

Not much action in MB..we are a very docile group lol.

Fingers are crossed for all of us....thanks for the info

 

[filet1970]

Here a little something for you! Hope you feel warmer!
We had a gorgeous sunny day...soaking it in 'cause it's leave soon! Not good news for tomorrow though...rain!!!! Doesn't make you feel in the mood for picketing! Decided to stay and will be having dinner with friend and drinking some wine (read plenty)! Might not be condusive to waking up bright and early though!

 

[peigirl]

Hi SandyinCanada

I am from Table 1 also. I work for VAC in Charlottetown. Use to work to CRA in Summerside.

We were suppose to go out last Thursday but got posponed to to the talks continuing. We striked yesterday and today. I really hope they settle soon.

I cannot believe how slow the PSAC site is. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Paula

 

[peigirl]

Hey SandyinCanada

I just phoned our stike line and they said that CRA has settled. Congrats. Maybe table 1 will be next. For now it looks like we are striking on Thursday.

Paula

 

[Sandyincanada]

Thanks Paula, this is what we got..pretty much the same as the others. Hardly worth waiting a year and a 5 week strike though, lol...oh well, at least its over:

A four-year agreement effective to October 31, 2007.

• Annual economic increases of 2.5% retroactive to November 1, 2003, 2.25% effective November 1, 2004, 2.4% effective November 1, 2005 and 2.5% effective November 1, 2006.

• Recognition in the collective agreement that Part II of the Canada Labour Code governs health and safety matters at the Agency.

• Removal of the caps on the amount of family related leave that can be taken for a particular purpose.

• Five days of marriage leave for workers who participate in same-sex public commitment ceremonies.

I'm sure the same sex marriage leave will come in handy one day, LOL.

Good luck, guys. Looks like they are going in order so hopefully you'll be settled tomorrow

Sandy

 

[filet1970]

I was right...it wasn't condusive to striking!
Sandy I think the salary increase you guys got is good! And you can tell yourself that you have 4 years without striking!!!!
Last I heard Tresory was offering 2-2-2% for three years to Table1. I guess it was about the same for you guys and what you got is probably the increase pourcentage that we will be getting too!
Haven't seen the news yet but from what you listed, it doesn't appear that you guys got an agreement on term employees which seemed to be a main concern for Revenue! Guess you're hard at work now! Hopefully it's going to be the same for me tomorrow! (and I can get y passport application in!!!!) If not, will be striking with
Going back to Ottawa this afternoon.

 

[Sandyincanada]

There were some term improvements, nothing too exciting though. Do you have a settlement yet? Been so wrapped up in work today that I haven't even looked at the news yet, lol

 

[FatCow]

SO..... when can I take care of my kid's passport? (I go to Scarborough Town Centre to renew the passport, BTW)

 

[StuartMI]