UVAE SEAC Union of Veretans' Affairs Employees

Who We Are

providing guidance on issues related to conflict resolution, health and safety, and technological change;
interpreting collective agreements and legislation;
advising Union Representatives who require help with grievance wording and representation;
representing members on appeals, National Joint Council and final level grievances;
interpreting, administering, managing and enforcing Component By-Laws, Regulations, Policies, and decisions of the National Executive;
controlling Component funds in a manner established at triennial convention, and issuing monthly rebates to locals;
publishing Bulletins, Information letters and the UVAE Newsletter Info Plus, to keep members informed.
maintaining membership records for UVAE members; supplying Steward Kits to Local Officers; requesting PSAC Identification Cards from the Alliance and forwarding them to new members;
networking and information sharing by organizing Component Committees and hosting meetings such as the Regional Local Presidents Meetings;
representing the Component on the PSAC National Board of Directors and on various Committees; maintaining communication between the Component and the PSAC;
promoting PSAC campaigns, such as Pay Equity and Fightback campaigns; encouraging members' participation;
encouraging members to attend training courses sponsored by the PSAC, CLC, Provincial Federations of Labour, District Labour Councils, etc., and providing reimbursement for expenses for those other than PSAC courses;
organizing and coordinating the Triennial Convention and National Executive Officers meetings, and carrying out the Directives, Policies and Decisions made by these bodies.

The Union of Veterans' Affairs Employees (UVAE) represents approximately 2,600 employees in Veterans' Affairs Canada (VAC) and its associate agency, the Veterans' Review and Appeal Board. The Component also represents approximately 500 members under provincial jurisdiction at Deer Lodge Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

In 1966, the Department of Veterans' Affairs Employees National Association (DVAENA) formally merged with the DVA membership of the Civil Service Association of Canada, to form the Department of Veterans' Affairs Component, now known as the Union of Veterans' Affairs Employees, under the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

The Component works on behalf of federal members employed in 15 occupational groups. These members are grouped into 31 Locals and 14 additional geographical areas, which are affiliated to regional or district offices.

UVAE represents approximately 450 Hospital Services (HS) members, working mainly at the Ste. Anne de Bellevue Veterans' Hospital. Their duties involve diagnostic and rehabilitative treatment, assistance to pathologists, dentists, nurses, therapists and laboratory technicians. Some of them are in the sub-group responsible for the cleaning and care of wards, operating rooms, duties associated with the provision of janitorial, custodial, building, laundry, stores, food, and other services.

The 690 Welfare Programmes (WP) members counsel veterans and their families seeking benefits and interpret for them the provision of acts and regulations to determine the benefits to which they are entitled. Other members represented by UVAE are in the Engineering and Scientific Support (EG) group. These laboratory technicians conduct various tests, such as blood tests.

Clerical and Regulatory (CR) group members number 900 and are employed in the benefit delivery system and central registries at head office, regional and district offices throughout the country.

Members in our Local at Deer Lodge Centre have a long tradition of excellence in service to our country's veterans, dating back to World War I. Today, their expertise focuses on creating a holistic patient-oriented environment for geriatric care. The staff at Deer Lodge Centre are dedicated to continuing the tradition of service by developing innovative programs and serving as a research, teaching and resource facility for health care professionals and organizations throughout the region.

The UVAE National Executive is composed of a President, a National Executive Vice-President, seven National Vice-Presidents representing the Atlantic Region, Quebec, Ontario, Western Region, Deer Lodge Centre, Charlottetown Head Office and one Equal Opportunities Coordinator.

Revised July 2010