Open Letter to Stephen Owen

December 12, 2003

The Honourable Stephen Owen
Minister of Public Works and
Government Services
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

Dear Mr. Owen:

              I want, first of all, to congratulate you on your appointment as Minister of Public Works and Government Services.

              The PSAC and our members who are directly employed by the government of Canada were surprised to learn that you will assume responsibility for collective bargaining.   While we have yet to comprehend the logic of the decision to combine what has been a central agency responsibility within a department with specific operational responsibilities, we nonetheless need to address the current state of play with regard to collective bargaining.   And, we need to do this immediately.

              Obviously, from the perspective of the members we represent who are employed directly by the federal government, collective bargaining and the status of the current round of negotiations is of paramount importance. Despite three weeks of face-to-face negotiations between the PSAC and Treasury Board, little progress has been made, and the PSAC, the members of our Negotiating Teams and thousands of members from coast to coast to coast are looking for a signal that your government now has a mandate, is open to working towards negotiated agreements that meet the needs of your workforce, and is prepared to bargain in good faith.

              In this regard, there are process, economic and philosophical issues involved that require a willingness to listen, a willingness to innovate, and a willingness to act on both sides.

              All of this is imperiled by the government's decision to restructure management of the public service and to transfer Treasury Board's responsibilities in a number of important and interrelated areas to Public Works and Government Services and the Privy Council.

              You should know that the collective agreements for our members, employed by the government of Canada, expired in the summer of 2003.  

              In light of the above, I would request a meeting with you as soon as possible to discuss your responsibility for collective bargaining in general, and the process that you anticipate when our negotiating teams return to the bargaining table during the second week of January 2004.  

Sincerely,

Nycole Turmel
National President