News release

September 18, 2004

The federal government once again before the conciliation board

Ottawa— Conciliation board hearings begin on Sunday, September 19 for public sector employees represented by Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) Table 3.   These employees, who number 11,000, work in design and illustration, technical inspection, and general scientific and technical support, photography and primary commodity inspection.

Negotiations between Treasury Board and this group began more than one year ago, and no significant progress has yet been made.

“The Treasury Board president will have to get directly involved in these negotiations,” declared the PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President for Ontario, Gerry Halabecki, who is responsible for these negotiations.   “To date, everything has indicated that Treasury Board representatives at the bargaining table do not really have a true mandate to reach a negotiated settlement,” he added.

The main bones of contention are wages, the restructuring of increment increases, the improvement of various allowances, including those pertaining to scuba diving and the handling of dangerous goods and materials, better workforce adjustment protection, improved vacations and shift premiums; and whistleblower protection.  

Halabecki said he hoped that the conciliation board hearings would be more successful than negotiations with Treasury Board.   During lengthy bargaining and conciliation sessions, the union made its demands and explained the working conditions underlying the proposed changes, but the employer did not make any reasonable counter-proposals.

The conciliation board must issue a report 14 days after hearings begin. Workers will be in a legal strike position seven days after their union receives the report.  

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For information : Alain Cossette, PSAC Communications (613) 293-9210

                           Denis Boivin, PSAC Communications (613) 324-0522

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