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News releaseSeptember 24, 2004 Canadian Grain Commission endangers the reputation of Canadian grainTHUNDER BAY – The Canadian Grain Commission is allowing terminal elevators to move grain without federal government supervision which could lead to the delivery of inferior quality grain. “The CGC decision threatens the reputation of Canadian grain throughout the world,” explained Gerry Halabecki, Ontario Regional Executive Vice-President for the Public Service Alliance of Canada. For Halabecki, the politically motivated decision is an attempt to reduce the impact of the strike by PSAC members. Today 25 employees of the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) went on strike, hindering the movement of grain from western Canada. The weigh staff, members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), is responsible for supervising the weighing of grain at the terminal elevators in Thunder Bay. For Halabecki the CGC has a legal obligation to uphold the Canada Grain Act and its regulations even when its employees are on strike. “The grain terminals in Thunder Bay are a key component for the movement of grain from western farms” Halabecki said. “These workers have been attempting to negotiate a collective agreement with the Liberal government for over a year and have been absolutely ignored,” he added. So far, the federal government has maintained a non-negotiating approach in dealing with its workers represented by the PSAC. Key Liberal ministers from western Canada, like Reg Alcock and Ralph Goodall are supporting that approach. Even one of the Liberal's newest ministers, Thunder Bay's own Joe Commuzzi, refused to speak to the workers earlier this week. In addition to Thunder Bay, grain workers are striking in Vancouver and Montreal. The action is part of a national strike of PSAC members who are frustrated with the Liberal minority government's unwillingness to negotiate. - 30 - For information: Gerry Halabecki, Ontario Executive
Vice-President PSAC
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