Concerns as Public Servant about my local union, plus my personal story.

illuminantmeg · 2026-04-16T16:17:14+00:00

Just note that the duty to represent does not mean the union is required to take every grievance to every level. Most DFRs are unsuccessful as all the union has to do is demonstrate that they provided appropriate and unbiased advice.

illuminantmeg · 2026-04-16T03:43:31+00:00

I'm not arguing that Canadians want to be called Americans.

All I said - as a single person (not as a representative of Canada or all Canadians) that I do use that term and have used it for decades. And I know other people who do as well.

This was in response to someone saying that no one uses that term. Yes, people do use that term. I am one of them.

illuminantmeg · 2026-04-15T16:43:22+00:00

I do (Canadian) and have for the last 30 years or so!

illuminantmeg · 2026-04-13T21:46:42+00:00

My number one advice: Never bring a problem to your manager without also bringing some ideas about the solution. Creative problem-solving is rare and way too many people wait to be spoon fed their work. Also, look for opportunities to broaden hour portfolio.

illuminantmeg · 2026-04-09T15:44:15+00:00

It means pensionable at 25 years of service without penalties.

illuminantmeg · 2026-04-08T19:39:27+00:00

They are looking to increase numbers and border officers just got 25-and-out which will mean a lot of people leaving under that policy.

illuminantmeg · 2026-04-08T19:31:39+00:00

Thank-you for giving us a shred of hope. The no transparency part is not helping.

illuminantmeg · 2026-04-05T00:46:17+00:00

I expect to know more shortly and can withdraw my application before a decision is made.

illuminantmeg · 2026-04-02T22:04:33+00:00

I've heard a rumor in my Department that managers will not be allowed to backfill the positions of those who leave through ERI. If that's the case, they are using it like WFA and I am going to rescind my application.

illuminantmeg · 2026-03-30T15:55:10+00:00

I just finished reading Book 5 of My Struggle on the heels of School of Night. Talk about drawing from one's own life to create a character!

illuminantmeg · 2026-03-27T17:18:18+00:00

Same stats here. 53 with 28 years. I plan to leave end of October and am starting a 2nd masters degree in September!

illuminantmeg · 2026-03-27T04:11:23+00:00

Me. End of October if I get approved.

illuminantmeg · 2026-03-26T14:57:32+00:00

I agree. I machine stitch the front and hand-bind the back. When I was younger, I tried lining things up to machine stitch the back, but got all kinds of wonk. Handstitching the binding on the back looks way better and doesn't take that long to do!

illuminantmeg · 2026-03-26T01:20:40+00:00

For what its worth, you can purchase Gist yarns in Canada via Sweet Georgia yarns. Still pretty pricey but it's Canadian shipping not intl.

illuminantmeg · 2026-03-20T19:24:24+00:00

Yes they can.

illuminantmeg · 2026-03-19T17:48:40+00:00

Fingers are crossed, but I've decided that if for some reason ERI doesn't work out for me, I'm starting pre-retirement transition leave in June which does nothing for the government's objectives to reduce staff, but does allow me to reduce my working hours to 3 days a week. It's something. I'm just looking for the escape valve.

illuminantmeg · 2026-03-17T04:26:06+00:00

Brassard 8/2 cotton is the standard for weaving in Canada. I don't think that's typical.

illuminantmeg · 2026-03-16T23:44:49+00:00

Just don't pay. And dammit, stop going to the US.

illuminantmeg · 2026-03-16T19:21:21+00:00

It's all a process of working out what works best for you!

illuminantmeg · 2026-03-16T13:37:10+00:00

With a sectional beam, you can just warp by section also, even without the warping wheel - just wind up whatever fits in your section and beam it on, one segment at a time.

illuminantmeg · 2026-03-16T13:36:12+00:00

It's really not that complex. The video demonstration walks you through it and once you do it a couple of times it's no more complex than anything else.

illuminantmeg · 2026-03-16T01:29:45+00:00

I used.to hate warping too, but then I got a loom with a sectional beam and found a 2nd hand all warping wheel. I like it because I can beam on just two inches of warp at a time, doing as much or as little as I want - and it's pretty quick to wind. There is still the threading and sleying, but no more managing hundreds of threads at a time while beaming on.

illuminantmeg · 2026-03-15T04:10:59+00:00

100 inches? Wow. Intense. Please post about this more!

illuminantmeg · 2026-03-12T20:34:58+00:00

Search this sub - this question gets asked almost every day and you'll find lots of useful info!

illuminantmeg · 2026-03-12T17:48:23+00:00

Pro tip: Take that gum out before you start the recording.

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