News release

September 10, 2004

Strikes Force PSAC Withdrawal from Labour-Management Relations with Feds  

Ottawa - The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) announced today it was withdrawing from labour-management relations forums with Treasury Board, Parks Canada, Canada Revenue Agency and all other federal departments and agencies as well as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, effective Monday September 13 th .  

“Due to the current and anticipated labour disputes, the PSAC has been required to step down from these consultations” said PSAC National President Nycole Turmel. “We cannot on the one hand participate in all these consultations and committees with the employer when this same employer shows no sign of wanting to return to the bargaining table to conclude fair and equitable collective agreements for our members”.  

All union-management consultations and joint committees at the national, departmental and local workplace levels –from local Union-management committees to the National Joint Council, the Joint Career Transition Committee, as well as consultations on the implementation of the Public Service Modernization Act are impacted.  

The only exceptions are where the Union has a legal obligation to maintain its participation.   These include:   grievance and adjudication hearings, health and safety investigations, and PSAC participation on the Public Service Health Care Plan Trust.    

The PSAC will also continue to be a major participant in the United Way Campaign. PSAC members will continue working for local United Way campaigns whenever their bargaining unit is not on rotating or general strike.    

“Despite the added hardship and uncertainty faced by our members as a result of the current labour disputes, the PSAC will continue to be an ardent supporter of United Way ” Turmel said. “PSAC has a longstanding commitment to the United Way and our members will continue to provide support to those in need in local communities throughout the country”.  

Earlier this week, 25,000 PSAC members at the Canada Revenue Agency went into strike action joining 4800 Parks Canada workers, who have been on strike since August 13. A total of 130,000 PSAC members working in all federal government departments and major agencies could be on strike by mid-October.  

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For information contact : Louise Laporte, PSAC Communications,
                                          (613) 560-4287

                                          or cell (613) 558-4975

60-100904