News release

October 12, 2004

PSAC operational services workers reach a tentative agreement

OTTAWA –The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) reached a tentative agreement late in the afternoon on October 12 with Treasury Board on behalf of some 10,000 members in the Operational Services Group (Table 2). Therefore the strike is suspended for this group.

“Like our Parks Canada members, Table 2 workers conducted an effective strike,” said Nycole Turmel, PSAC National President. “They forced the Employer to increase its wage offer and to narrow the wage gap that exists with workers doing similar jobs in both the private and public sectors.”

According to Jerome Turcq, PSAC Vice-President for Quebec, “the tentative agreement contains salary adjustments ranging from 2.6% to 19% that will go towards closing a wage disparity identified by a joint Treasury Board-PSAC pay study last fall. The salary increases totaling more than 10% over four years, increases in some allowances and better working conditions are also part of this tentative agreement.”

Highlights of the agreement that, if ratified, would expire on August 4, 2007 include:

• A wage increase of 2.5% retroactive to August 2003, 2.25% for 2004, 2.4% for 2005 and 2.5% for 2006;
• On August 5, 2003, and in addition to the 2.5% increase, additional salary adjustments ranging from 2.6% to 19% will be added to address the wage gap identified in the joint pay study;
• The Dangerous Goods Allowance will now apply to a greater number of members;
• A new one-time five-days entitlement in lieu of the current marriage leave provisions.

The tentative agreement will now be presented to the 10,000 members for a ratification vote. Details of the vote will be coming during the next few weeks.

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Information: Alain Cossette, PSAC Communications – (613) 560-4317 or (613) 293-9210