Concern from PSAC Member on Using Union Funds to Advocate for NDP in Provincial Elections in BC
I have received a concern from a member of another federal union, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), regarding the use of union funds to support a specific political party (NDP) in the upcoming British Columbia provincial elections. This situation highlights the need for all unions, including ours, to stay politically neutral when it comes to spending members’ dues.
While I cannot influence the actions of other unions, I can certainly ensure that PIPSC members’ dues are never used to support any political party.
With the upcoming BC Provincial elections on October 19th, this member raised a critical issue: PSAC is allegedly using union funds to advocate for the New Democratic Party (NDP), while actively discouraging members from voting Conservative or Liberal. See full text of the letter that was sent all PSAC members in the region below.
This raises serious concerns about how union funds are being used and whether they are being misallocated to influence provincial elections—a domain outside the federal union’s primary mandate.
In essence, we now have evidence that union funds and positions are being used to sway provincial elections. This is a federal employees’ union, funded through membership fees paid by public servants, many of whom likely do not support the NDP. It is troubling to see such overt political bias, especially when those funds should be neutral and used only to support the interests of all members.
The question posed by the concerned PSAC member is rhetorical, but important:
How many codes of conduct and laws are being violated by using union money to push for one political party over another? Is this something that Elections Canada would even address?But more importantly, as a candidate for Vice President of PIPSC, I ask myself—and you—this question:
How do we ensure that PIPSC never engages in such practices?
Regardless of the personal preferences of any executive member or officer, it is a violation of union policies and regulations to use union dues to support any political party. As union leaders, we must remain focused on serving the interests of all our members, without letting political affiliations dictate how our resources are spent.
Lastly, I want to open up this discussion to all members: Is this kind of action an indictable offense? And if so, how should it be handled, and who is responsible for addressing it?
I welcome your thoughts and comments!
If you support my efforts to address the expressed concerns and are a PIPSC member, please vote for me at the National PIPSC Elections (starting 18 October till 8 November).
If you are not a PIPSC member, you can still support my efforts by sharing this newsletter with your friends and colleagues.
Appendix: The letter from Regional Executive Vice-President's Office to all PSAC members in British Columbia
PSAC AFPC
Public Service Alliance of Canada
Alliance de la Fonction publique du Canada
BC Region
Greetings,
When British Columbians head to the ballot box on October 19 it will mark a critical juncture for the future of workers' rights and the overall well-being of people in this province.
Some folks tell me as the Regional Executive Vice-President for our Region, I shouldn't put out a 'hardline' stance on the provincial election. But I want to be honest with you, the PSAC members in BC. This election is too important not to talk about what's at stake if the wrong party is elected.
The fact is, workers' rights are on the table in this election. Your rights.
On October 19 we have an opportunity to elect a government that will stand up for working people to build a better BC. Since 2017, we've come a long way in this province, undoing much of the damage that was done under the BC Liberals: We've seen higher wages for workers, with BC holding the highest provincial minimum wage in the country. BC also introduced a law to guarantee that the minimum wage keeps up with inflation every year, helping working families address increasing affordability issues. Under the BC NDP, the labour movement was able to secure 'card check' in provincial legislation. That's the single-step certification process that makes unionizing easier for workers in BC.
The current BC government has also significantly invested in public services and crown corporations, which had previously been devastated after 16 years of funding cuts. These improvements for working people and their families are just a couple of the stark contrasts between the current government and other parties that will be on the ballot. What's clear is that we cannot go back to austerity measures that hurt British Columbians and eliminated public service jobs. We must continue moving forward and elect a government that supports people over privatization and profits margins for big corporations.
You might think that provincial politics don't affect you as a PSAC member since the majority of our membership is federally regulated. Well, you can bet Pierre Poilievre and his party are watching BC very carefully to see what's possible when a conservative government is elected. BC will easily become their 'common sense' dress rehearsal for what they plan to gut from federal public services across the country when given the chance in the next federal election.
Regional Executive Vice-President's Office
302-5238 Joyce Street | Vancouver BC V5R6C9 | tel: (604) 430-0191 toll-free: 1-866-811-7700 | http://psacbc.com
Of course, it's not all about protecting public service jobs. While workers rights are undoubtedly important to many of us, we cannot forget that electing a progressive government in BC isn't just about supporting workers. A progressive government in BC will ensure that this province can tackle the pressing issues that affect all of us: affordable housing, the rising cost of living, accessible and quality child care for all, protecting public services like health care and education, climate justice and good jobs, and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
The announcement that the BC United Party suspended their province-wide election campaign and partnered with the far-right Conservative Party of BC means that this election race is much, much tighter. I can assure you this provincial election will be close. Incredibly close. And every vote will make a difference.
As a union, our goal is to elect governments that align with our values and prioritize policies that uplift workers, safeguard our public services, and invest in a fairer future for everyone. A conservative government - at federal or provincial levels - will not do this.
The work we do today to support and maintain a progressive government in BC is crucial to advancing the interests of working people and protecting our rights going forward. The strength of our movement depends on it.
This October I will be voting for the BC NDP candidate in my riding, and I personally encourage all PSAC members do the same. We are all in this together, and we should vote for the party who will work for working people.
Election day is October 19. Advance voting is available October 10 to 13 and October 15 to 16 (advance voting will be closed Monday, October 14, for Thanksgiving). Check voting details online at https://elections.bc.ca/2024-provincial-election/ and make your plan to vote for working people in BC.
In Solidarity.
Jamey Mills
Regional Executive Vice-President
Public Service Alliance of Canada, BC Region