May 26, 2009
Negotiations with Treasury Board
PSAC Bargaining Units with Treasury Board (PA, SV, TC, EB, FB)
Attention to all members of the DD, EG, GT, PI, PY and TI pay groups
We have a month and a half until our arbitration hearing dates. We have three days scheduled for mediation sessions and a formal arbitration hearing. These will occur on July 6 to 8, 2009.
Since we filed for arbitration, the government has passed the regressive Expenditure Restraint Act. Having come into effect at the this stage of bargaining, the legislation constitutes demonstrable bad faith on the part of the government as it has changed the rules of negotiations mid-way through the collective bargaining process. In so doing, it has imposed restraints on the resolution of our disputes on issues relating to pay.
Even with these restraints, your bargaining team has committed to continue on the arbitration route. This way, we are able to seek a ruling from the arbitrator on our issues which are not covered by the legislation.
We will be posting our complete arbitration brief on the web site shortly before the hearing. This document will contain our written arguments on all outstanding issues to be put in front of the board.
Last month, the PSAC launched a court challenge to the Expenditure Restraint Act, which we see as an unconstitutional assault on freedom of association. The Act, by placing arbitrary limits on compensation increases, denies workers' rights to freedom of association and to free collective bargaining. In a number of cases, the Act actually rolls back wage increases that were negotiated in good faith. You can see more details of our court challenge.
Date Modified : 2010/01/29
