October 11, 2007

PSAC Bargaining Units with Treasury Board (PA, SV, TC, EB, FB)

SV group lays groundwork for long-term strategy as talks continue

Your bargaining team kept busy at the negotiating table during the four-day session, but took some time to discuss long-term strategies to keep the membership engaged during the entire round of bargaining.

The union spent the bulk of the Oct. 2 to 5 session presenting some of our issues to the employer, particularly early learning and childcare, harassment, and apprenticeship. Earlier in the session, the Ship's Crew Subcommittee was formed and dates set for its first meeting. The subcommittee is composed of the following members: Donald Drapeau (UCTE), Dennis Riley (UNDE), Randy Sanderson (UCTE), Dave Shipalesky (UNDE), David Walsh (UCTE).

During the presentations, a model of employer-funded and union-administered childcare, negotiated by CUPW and PSAC with Canada Post, provided an excellent example of childcare services adapted to the needs of shift workers. Your team also presented a broader definition of harassment similar to language used in Quebec legislation. Other issues discussed in general with the employer included hours of work, overtime compensation and the application of shift premiums.

The bargaining team caucused to discuss the importance of engaging members in the whole bargaining process. They were unanimous on the need to involve members at this early stage and committed to activities that will maintain the team members' visibility in the workplace and to gather feedback. The team urges all members to show their strong support for the bargaining team by expressing to management their own frustrations at the workplace. More strategies will be discussed at the National Strike Strategy Committee meeting on Oct. 10.

The No Zones Committee also met to discuss stepping up the campaign in the following months.  The committee is calling on all members to distribute and sign the No Zones postcards to MPs. These postcards will be collected and presented to the various MPs. The committee also urges members to wear the black No Zones t-shirts every payday. An opportunity to email your MP will also be available soon on the PSAC “Fax Your MP” web site.

On the last day of the session, your team spent their lunch break supporting the striking UNITE-HERE members at Sheraton Hotel in downtown Ottawa. Joining the strikers on the picket line was your team members' gesture of worker solidarity and understanding of what it takes to struggle for fairness in the workplace.

The next bargaining session is scheduled for Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, 2007.

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