Canadian Food Inspection Agency Bargaining
January 23, 2013
CFIA mediation fails to yield results
Frustration, disappointment and disillusionment. These words best express the feelings of the PSAC bargaining team after two days of mediation with CFIA failed to produce agreement on any of the outstanding issues at the bargaining table.
“We are very disappointed,” said Bob Kingston, President of Agriculture Union. “The Employer applied for the mediation process but came to the table empty-handed and unwilling to compromise.”
The Employer had applied for mediation under the auspices of the Public Service Labour Relations Board last year just as the PSAC bargaining team was asking for the establishment of a Public Interest Commission (PIC).
The Bargaining Team took that step after CFIA unilaterally cancelled a planned round of negotiations scheduled for the week it decided to issue affected and surplus notices.
Mediation was scheduled for three days starting on January 15th, but the almost total lack of movement on the part of the Employer resulted in the Union team declining to meet the third day.
“Unfortunately, meeting with CFIA turned out once again to be futile,” Kingston said. “We are dismayed at the CFIA bargaining team's approach to the bargaining process. Our members are dedicated and qualified, and in the words of the Agency itself, second to none. They work hard, and they deserve better.”
The Union bargaining team is now preparing its brief for the Public Interest Commission, which is scheduled for the week of February 11, 2013.
The PIC consists of an impartial chairperson and a sidesperson appointed by each of the Union and the Employer. The PIC is normally expected to release recommendations within 30 days of the hearing. While not binding, the Union is hopeful that the recommendations will provide a roadmap to a negotiated settlement.
Please watch this website for further developments and contact your Local for additional information and action plans.
Date Modified : 2013/01/23
