Cape Logo

CAPE Local 514

Employment and Social Development Canada

Contact us

Latest information

Check for regular workplace updates

Updates

CAPE Calls for Suspension of Return to Office

With the announcements by Public Health Officials in the Federal, Ontario and Quebec jurisdictions confirming that we are entering a seventh wave of COVID-19 infections, CAPE has made a request to the Treasury Board Secretariat that all return to office plans be immediately suspended until the situation improves.

Actions and Events

Work from Home

CAPE has called for a suspension of the Return to Office across the government. Here at ESDC, we are working together to find a local approach that works for us. That said, the Department is continuing ahead with plans to implement a “new flexible workplace”, with teleworking, in-person, and hybrid work arrangements. Managers are expected to engage with their teams on the flexible work model over the summer months. As always, we would love to get your thoughts on these plans. If you have any issues to raise or suggestions to make, please do not hesitate to reach out at cape514esdc@gmail.com

Bowling with Members

On April 29th, Local 514 members met and held a bowling night. The event was an opportunity for members to meet one another, ask questions about the union, and for executives to hear about issues across the department. The event was open to all members and was included in the April event notices.

About CAPE and Local 514

The Canadian Association of Professional Employees is the third-largest public service union in the federal public service – dedicated to advocating on behalf of federal employees in the Economics and Social Science Services (EC) and Translation (TR) groups, as well as employees of the Library of Parliament (LoP), the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer (OPBO) and civilian members of the RCMP (ESS and TRL).

2,100 ECs represented by Local 514
21,000 National CAPE members

Local 514 represents ECs at Employment and Social Development Canada employed in the National Capital Region. It serves as local union representation at a departmental-level and is managed by an elected volunteer board.

Local 514 is deeply committed to defending the rights of members, improving the working conditions of ECs, and working in solidarity with other unions in the Department, as well as the labour movement more broadly. We also recognize the importance of supporting other groups working towards a more just and democratic society.

We are not free until we are all free.

Our collective agreement

If you have questions about the agreement, please contact the Local.

CAPE is currently in negotiations with Treasury Board on a new collective agreement.

EC Collective Agreement

Why opt in?

Are you a new EC? If so, you have to "opt" into the union. Just because you are an EC and are paying union dues doesn't mean you are automatically a member of CAPE. You must opt into the union by filling out a short form. Becoming a member will allow you to:

Vote

Vote on important issues such as the collective agreement.

Stay in the Know

Receive news and updates regarding changes in your workplace and working conditions.

Participate

Participate in the life of our union through committees and the collective bargaining process

Organize

Organize in solidarity with your fellow co-workers

Receive benefits

Obtain preferential rates on insurance and discounts on airfare, hotels, etc.

Cultivate community

Help cultivate a united community of workers at ESDC

Opt in!

Stewards Network

Stewards interact with people from across the department and ensure that the Local has a strong presence – an important factor in reducing workplace abuses and maintaining a positive work environment. A steward's main function is to serve as a first source of information for members and a first line-of-defence and solidarity for members facing difficulties. Stewards mentor each other and are supported by a CAPE Labour Relations Officer.


Any member of Local 514 can join the Steward Network and we are always looking to expand! Training is available for those interested in becoming a steward.


Get involved!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

With 17 unions in the federal public service, employees are often unsure which union represents them.

If you belong to the following classifications, you are represented by the Canadian Associations of Professional Employees: Economists and Social Scientists (ECs), Translators (TRs), civilian members of the RCMP (ESS and TRL) as well as employees of the Library of Parliament (LoP) and the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer (OPBO).

If you do not belong to the following, it is likely you are either represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) or the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC)

Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) members include Economists and Social Scientists (ECs), Translators (TRs), and Analysts at the Library of Parliament.

Unfortunately, federal public service unions do not represent casuals or students. That said, if you are a casual or a student in need of help, please reach out as Local 514 may be able to assist or provide you with information.

If you are experiencing any Phoenix-related pay problems and the issue does not seem to be getting resolved, please contact CAPE National for assistance. More information is available on the CAPE website.

CAPE National has compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 and the Federal Public Service.

Meet our executive members

The Local 514 Executive is elected annually during Annual General Meetings which are typically held each Spring.

All members are welcome to participate in the local executive. Whether you have a ton of union experience or are just starting to learn, everyone is welcome and there are plenty of volunteer opportunities to work on specific issues or sit on committees, including workplace labour-management committees.

Annie Yeo      President
Kelly Mansfield      Vice-President
Bogdan Panasyuk      Secretary
Benoit Ducharme-Vachon      Treasurer
Megan Glenwright      Chief Steward
Laurie Gillis      Director of Communications

Neil Burron      Director of Education

Declan Ingham      Interim Director of Organizing
Stewards      (Click to expand)

Darrin Antler
Benoit Ducharme-Vachon
Declan Ingham
Cory Jansson
Kelly Mansfield
Stephanie Vigier

Contact us

If you have a workplace issue, you can contact a CAPE local 514 steward, and we will try to address your situation specifically.


CAPE National:
(613) 236-9181

CAPE National:
100 Queen St
Ottawa, ON K1P 1J9

You can also contact the Labour Relations Officer assigned to ESDC:

Jean-François Racine / Jacqueline Préfontaine-Moore
Labour Relations Officers
LL.B.
Canadian Association of Professional Employees

100 Queen Street, 4th floor
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1J9

(613) 236-9181 extension 278
jfracine@acep-cape.ca
jprefontaine@acep-cape.ca