It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the Union of Veterans’ Affairs Employees Website. This website is designed to give you some basic information to assist you but also to ensure we are as accessible as possible to our members. We hope that this site will help you better understand our activism as a Union as well as our commitment to the clients we serve.
As you know, things have evolved quite a bit since we first offered services to our members. The many changes brought about in the Federal Public Service have made us become proactive with Union-Management Committees which in turn have brought forth positive changes. The various meetings often permit us to clarify certain situations, answer questions and prevent the running of the rumour mill.
As Union rank-and-file, you are in charge. To exist, we need you to get involved in the matters of the Union. We encourage members to come to union meetings, have a voice on items that impact your work and community. Come and share experiences with other workers. Get involved in the bargaining process, committee work, stewardship, and all of the other ways you can participate in assisting your union locally, regionally and nationally.
The services that UVAE offer are mainly dictated by members’ requests and interests. It is becoming more and more stressful to work for the Federal Public Service. Overcoming challenges and dealing with issues is equally stressful.
Whether we are talking about work-life balance, employment equity, staffing, classification or the major changes the employer is requesting in the way you provide service to clients, the challenge remains the same. Your Union must remain in direct communication with you, the member, whether at the local, regional or national level and we need you to be our ears in the offices and let us know of any concerns.
The UVAE elected officers and the UVAE members must work together and be at the forefront of this joint effort in order to promote the interests of all workers.
Whether it is serving our veterans, peacekeepers, reservists, the armed forces or the RCMP, our members face daily challenges in order to provide clients the service they deserve. Women and men who face today’s conflicts often return home with physical or psychological after-effects and require help and care. They fight to ensure a world of peace and freedom. They deserve our gratitude. I must point out that the service you provide is of the utmost quality.
However, our work is far from over. There are many challenges ahead of us. We need your help and support in order to decrease tensions and maintain or improve your quality of life in the workplace.
Help us to help you!
You, the members, are the strength of your Union, the Union of Veterans’ Affairs Employees.
In Solidarity,
UVAE National President