Dear members,
We are almost exactly one month out from our 60th Annual General Meeting, and the office is busy getting everything ready for the big day. I don’t have any major news to bring to your attention in this message, but there are a few things I wanted to talk about.
Overwhelming response to our call for nominations for the Executive Committee
I’m not sure if it’s the upcoming negotiations, the government’s focus on belt-tightening, or the recent issues we’ve faced with heath care coverage, but I can hardly remember a time when this many members expressed an interest to serve on our Executive Committee.
In fact, all ten vacant positions were filled, and we have a full roster to be confirmed at our AGM on Monday October 20.
Personally, I have been involved with PAFSO’s Executive Committee – in a number of different capacities – for over a decade. And, for all that time, I have tried to encourage colleagues to get more involved with their association. It’s the best way to help shape the future of our profession. I look forward to all the fresh faces – and fresh perspectives – that will be joining me around the virtual committee table in the coming year.
How to participate in this year’s AGM
On Monday, October 20, at 1600, Ottawa time. PAFSO will be holding its 60th Annual General Meeting. Once again, in order to maximize opportunities for members to join in, we will be holding the meeting virtually. If you are interested in participating, all you need to do is let us know by sending an email to agm-aga@pafso-apase.com including your name and department. You will be added to a list of participants and should receive a formal meeting invitation – including the full agenda and all related documents – at a date closer to the event.
Randy Orr Memorial Award
As with past years, the Randy Orr Memorial Award ceremony will be held immediately following our AGM. The award, in memory of our long-serving Executive Committee colleague who passed away in 2021, was created to recognize the volunteer service and exceptional dedication of our members, their families or other colleagues, that has contributed to improving the life for those who serve Canada abroad.
Please plan to stick around for a bit after the AGM to hear about the inspiring work of our community members. The target start time for the informal ceremony is 1745.
Cyclical review of the NJC Travel Directive
Last week the National Joint Council announced the release of a new version of the Travel Directive. However, there are still several unresolved items that remain at impasse, and this “partial implementation” reflects only the items agreed upon at this time. While both parties continue to work towards resolving the remaining issues, this latest version is set to come into effect on 1 October. You can read more about it in this communiqué from the NJC.
The full text of the Travel Directive can be found here on the NJC website. Based on our team’s review, there are no major concerns for our members at this time, as the changes are all essentially minor, and non-monetary. Larger items, such as incidentals, dependant care, and the definition of the headquarter area, are some of those which are still at impasse and should be proceeding to arbitration hearings in November and January.
Although these minor changes are currently posted and will take effect on Oct. 1, 2025, we expect to see further and more significant changes in March of next year, once the arbitration award is made public.
As always, we will keep you updated as the situation warrants.
PAFSO Breakfast: issues before the AGM
Unfortunately, it seems that technical issues prevented participants from joining last Wednesday’s webinar on collective bargaining, but there will be another opportunity to discuss this and other issues that will be before the AGM at next month’s virtual breakfast, scheduled for Tuesday 14 October at 900, Ottawa time. You can register for the session here.
Upcoming Launch of the 2025-26 CIC/PAFSO mentorship programme
Last year’s pilot mentorship programme with the Canadian International Council was a resounding success, and we have decided to partner with them again this year. If you are a young professional in search of advice and guidance or a more senior person who is willing to help out a student or a younger colleague, please consider signing up. A more formal announcement will follow, but in the meantime, please keep an eye here on the CIC website for signup details.
Embedded book reading and presentation
And, finally, I wanted to let you know about two literary events in early October. Catherine Lang has written a moving and deeply insightful book about the life, work, and tragic death of her journalist niece Michelle Lang in Kandahar in 2009. Embedded seeks to enrich our understanding of the importance of having Canadian journalists reporting to the Canadian people on what our country is doing overseas. But more than that, it conveys with grace and honesty how a young death in war cascades tragedy through family, friends and workmates.
On Friday, 3 October, our friends at the CIC will be hosting Catherine Lang at their Politics at the Pub series. You can learn more about the event as well as purchase tickets here through Eventbrite. On the following Tuesday, 7 October, Catherine will be reading selected passages from Embedded at Perfect Books (258A Elgin Street). The reading starts at 7pm and is free.
So, that’s it. Just a short little update for this week. My next message to you is scheduled for Friday, 3 October. In the meantime, do not hesitate to reach out to us if you are having any concerns at work. Are you having issues with your pay? Do you feel harassed or discriminated against? Do you have a grievance or a staffing complaint? Or do you just want some clarifications on our collective agreement or the FSDs? Whatever the case, PAFSO is here for you. Just send us an emailwith your name, department and a detailed description of your concerns. For anything and everything else, please send us an email at info@pafso.com and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Take care of yourselves and each other.
All the best,
Pam Isfeld
President