News release

September 29, 2004

October 7 strike date for 80,000 PSAC members

OTTAWA - The 80,000 Public Service Alliance of Canada members in Treasury Board's Program and Administrative Services Group will be in a position to take legal strike action on October 7 now that the Conciliation Board has filed its report.

“The basic message in the Conciliation Board's report is to urge the parties to return to the table in order to work out the outstanding issues,” according to PSAC National President Nycole Turmel.   “Chairperson Ken Norman noted that the Board was confident that the parties ought to be able to reach a negotiated settlement.”

While the report makes no specific recommendation on wage increases, Norman indicates that “with a growing economy currently nearing full capacity, according to Bank of Canada governor David Dodge, and what that means in terms of enhancing the government's revenue stream, there is power to the PSAC's claim to a fair share for its membership.”   He also suggests that “there is no apparent overriding labour relations reason to deny this plea”.

The union does take issue with the Chairperson's assessment of the difference in the parties' position on wage increases.   The union believes a reasonable settlement should include wage restructuring and wage harmonization, particularly with the integration of over 7,000 workers from the former Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.   The union's wage position is reasonable in its own right, and modest given recent reports of a proposed increase of 10% in 2004 for judges and Members of Parliament.

The Conciliation Board was also asked to look at a number of equity and work-life balance issues.   The Board acknowledged that women make up about 75% of the workforce in this bargaining unit, which also has a large number of term workers.   In light of the gender demographic, the Board “urges the Treasury Board, on a number of these issues, to attend to the legitimate concerns raised by the PSAC on behalf of its members”.  

The Board does recognize the needs of Customs workers and the issue of their enforcement responsibilities by recommending that Treasury Board provide the union with an implementation plan and timeframes for the introduction of a new classification standard.   It also recognizes that where employees meet the same job and certification requirements for the transportation of dangerous goods, they receive the same benefit.

Turmel advises that the PSAC is ready to return to the bargaining table when and if Treasury Board demonstrates it is serious and has a mandate to bargain.   However, she is not as optimistic as the Conciliation Board Chair that there is a willingness on the part of the employer to negotiate in good faith.  

“As the Board points out, the parties have had seven months since talks last occurred in February to work on the issues in dispute,” says Turmel.   “Treasury Board has made no move to do so.   Our experience to date, including their lack of movement during the Conciliation Board hearings suggests that they have little interest in negotiating.   The employer's attitude during Conciliation was hardly surprising since Treasury Board President Alcock has indicated that he is prepared to legislate terms and conditions of employment.”

The PSAC's agreement with Treasury Board for the Program and Administrative Services group expired on June 20, 2003 .

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For information:   Louise Laporte, PSAC Communications

                              (613) 560-4287 or (613) 558-4975 (cell)

87-290904