News release

May 23, 2003

NAVCAN UNION WELCOMES
ARBITRATION DECISION

Ottawa--The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) representing Nav Canada employees is pleased with the Arbitration Board’s decision regarding the new collective agreement for its 350 members.

“We achieved substantive progress in several areas of wages and working conditions for our members,” said PSAC Executive Vice-president John Gordon. “We are confident the membership will applaud the results that were achieved by the hard work of their negotiation team.”

Mike Wing, president of the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE), indicated that the workers will receive a compounded wage increase of 12.3% over the duration of the contract and that the shift premiums and the weekend premiums are substantially improved.

For Wing, job security was an important issue. “With this decision, our members will be able to enjoy a much improved job security provision at Nav Canada,” Wing said.

John Gordon also pointed out that the Arbitrator’s decision also brings about an important human rights improvement regarding spousal leave. The decision recognizes the concept of spousal union which provides same-sex couples access to the same leaves as other couples.

The new collective agreement will end on December 31, 2004.

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For information: Alain Cossette, Communications Officer
(613) 560-4317