Dear Members,
It’s been another little while since my last message, and we now find ourselves at the beginning of September. Late summer and early fall have always been busy times for the Foreign Service, and this year is no exception. Now is a good moment to give you an update on the many issues we have been working on. RelocationFor many of us, this time of year means one thing: relocation. 2021’s posting season was particularly trying for many members. It seems it was plagued with logisitical issues from delays in travel, to obtaining proper documentation to, the shipping of personal effects. But so far this year, we aren’t hearing the same stories as often. However, if you are experiencing some unusual challenges with your relocation this year, we want to know about it. We also want to hear about problems with or unusual interpretations of the Foreign Service Directives. Please send us an email letting us know the details of the difficulties you are facing. We have experienced staff who may be able to help. And it’s important to catalogue these issues as it may help us uncover some general trends and patterns. Return to the workplaceAlthough we have not seen anything official yet, it is our understanding that both GAC and IRCC will soon be releasing their respective policies regarding the return to the workplace for those of you at headquarters and in regional offices across Canada. This is an issue we have been closely monitoring for quite some time, both in Canada and in overseas missions, as the operating environment for the public service changes. As you know, PAFSO has always maintained that any return to the workplace must be carried out in a way that (1) puts the safety of our members and their loved ones at the forefront; (2) is applied fairly across our entire membership, at home and abroad; and (3) is articulated with clarity and applied with consistency. While we wait for the departments to officially present their return to the workplace guidance, we will be putting together our own position statement on the matter as well as a comprehensive FAQ to help address the most common of your questions and concerns. We will let you know as soon as these are available on our website, and will report back to you as developments warrant. Collective bargainingCollective bargaining is another issue that will keep us busy this fall. As I mentioned previously, proposals have been exchanged between PAFSO and the Employer. And now, Paul Raven, our lead negotiator, has informed me that both parties are set to meet at the bargaining table for a 3-day initial round starting 25 October, with a subsequent session slated for late November. We will be sure to keep you posted as things progress on this front later in the fall. Annual General MeetingAnother item on our fall agenda is the upcoming Annual General Meeting which is set to be held virtually at 4pm on Monday, October 24. We will present reports on our activities, including implementation of the second year of our strategic plan, our finances, and the issues we are facing. A full slate of nominees for our Executive Committee will formally take their positions on that date, I am very happy to welcome new members Naomi Gilker (TD) and Kristin Janson (FPDS), along with returning members Madeline Johnson (FPDS) and CJ Scott (TD). If you would like to participate in the AGM, please send an email to agm-aga@pafso-apase.com with your name and department. A formal meeting invitation email with the full agenda and all related documents will be sent out to participants closer to the date of the event. Randy Orr Memorial AwardI’d like to take this opportunity to remind you that nominations for the Randy Orr Memorial Award are set to close next Friday, 9 September at midnight, Ottawa time. This award, in honour of our long-serving Executive Committee colleague, recognizes volunteer service to the FS community. It is open to anyone – including PAFSO members, families, and other colleagues – who has contributed, outside the framework of their paid employment, to improving life for those who serve Canada abroad. If you know of such a person, please send an e-mail to info@pafso.com outlining who they are, what they have done, when, and why it made a difference. Your nomination should be supported by three individuals, including at least one current regular PAFSO member. The award, with its $1000 prize, will be presented at our Annual General Meeting on October 24. Tradecraft WeekMonday, October 24 is also the start of our second annual Tradecraft Week. As our membership is diverse, and spread across five different streams, it’s important to make sure that this event has the widest appeal possible. If you have any ideas for topics or themes, don’t hesitate to share them with the Professional Committee. Also, if you want to get involved and help contribute to the production of the event, or if you would like to be a presenter yourself, just send an email to Marty.Johnston@pafso-apase.com and let him know. bout de papierEarlier this morning, the latest issue of bout de papier, Volume 32, Number 2, was delivered from the printer to our offices. In the coming days, our staff will begin working on mailing the magazine out to members. To make sure you don’t miss out on this latest issue, please make sure that we have your most up to date coordinates. Also, I am told that boutdepapier.ca has been updated with two feature articles from this issue, one of which concerns Joe Clark and some soup. So, keep an eye on the mail, and while you are waiting, check out a few articles online. Also featured in this latest issue of bout is an excerpt from Ice War Diplomat, the latest book by former PAFSO member and retired ambassador Gary J. Smith. Gary’s take on the diplomatic side of the 1972 Summit Hockey Series between Canada and the USSR has also been made into a feature-length documentary film. “IceBreaker: The 1972 Summit Series” will have its Ottawa debut screening at the Bytowne Cinema on Saturday 17 September at 4pm. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers and a book signing by Gary. I hope you can make it for this in-depth look at a very interesting point in Canadian diplomatic history. New labour relations advisorI would like to welcome Jake Baizana to our Labour Relations team. Jake has joined us temporarily as we work to fill the space left by Bertrand Myre’s taking on the General Manager position. Jake is a well-seasoned labour relations officer with an extensive resumé. In the few weeks that he’s been with us, he has already come up to speed with all the unique particularities of dealing with the FS group. While we seek a permanent replacement for Bert, I know we are in good hands with Jake. That said, if you have any concerns about your situation at work, please do not hesitate to contact our new General Manager, Bertrand Myre. He will be sure to put you in touch with a member of our Labour Relations team. For all other inquiries, simply send an email to info@pafso.com, and someone will get back to you very soon. PAFSO webinar with professor Raywat DeonandanI’m happy to re-start our regular professional event series with a webinar on September 9 at noon (Ottawa time) with epidemiologist Raywat Deonandan of the University of Ottawa. Professor Deonandan, who spoke to PAFSO members most recently in October 2021, will update us on the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please register for the session here. If you have specific questions you would like to have answered, please send them to me by noon on September 8. Now, this was only a brief overview of what is shaping to be yet another full fall calendar for PAFSO. Over the coming weeks, I will have more to share with you as the various issues unfold. But for now, as we roll into the last long weekend of the summer, at least here in the NCR, I hope that many of you will take some time to relax and recharge. And, as President of your union, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a great Labour Day. We truly are stronger together. We’ll chat again in a few weeks. Until then, take good care of yourselves, and of each other.
All the best,
Pam Isfeld
President