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Union UpdateMay 31 to July 9, 2004 Acrobat format In this issue:
PSAC calls on new government to avert PS strikeIn the wake of the federal election, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) called on the new government to act quickly to avert a massive federal public sector strike expected later this summer. "The new government needs to establish a reasonable mandate and start negotiating very soon," said PSAC National President Nycole Turmel. "The alternative will be strike action that will have a major impact on the delivery of federal public services." Turmel wrote to Prime Minister Martin asking him to review the government's current mandate and to take an active role in the bargaining process by meeting with the union's leadership to talk about averting a strike. She has also written to the Leader of the Opposition and to the leaders of the NDP and the Bloc Québécois, both of whom will play a key role in the survival of the Liberal minority government. "PSAC is not just concerned about negotiations," said Turmel. "During the election, there was much talk of program review, program cuts, privatization and public-private partnerships. Given that all the political parties used the election to highlight increased spending in some areas, PSAC members and all Canadians have a right to ask how these initiatives will be funded and what other programs, services or expenditures will be cut." Turmel pointed out that PSAC members working on the front line have a wealth of experience that can be used to identify expenditures, such as contracted-out services, that are more expensive and less accountable. "As a result of the sponsorship scandal, the Liberals have been emphatic about the need to clean house and to demonstrate honesty and integrity," said Turmel. "One of the ways in which they can restore accountability and credibility to government is to enact effective legislation to protect whistleblowers, supported by strong collective agreement language." Turmel also called on the Prime Minister to ensure that human rights are on the political agenda in the new Parliament. "The new government can take the high road and protect the rights of a minority that has been discriminated against all too frequently by putting same sex marriage at the forefront of its agenda," suggested Turmel. PSAC eager to meet new government, work with the partiesNow that the federal election campaign is over, PSAC intends to work with all the political parties to ensure that issues related to public services such as bargaining, whistleblower legislation and program review and privatization, as well as human rights issues will be addressed. PSAC National President Nycole Turmel wrote post-election open letters to the Liberal, Conservative, NDP and Bloc Québécois parties outlining the union's issues and calling on each party to address them while expressing a willingness to work with them. Turmel, in the letter to the Paul Martin, also suggested a meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss these issues. Turmel also wrote a letter to the PSAC members congratulating them on their involvement in the federal election campaign. All letters can be viewed on the PSAC Web site at www.psac-afpc.com .
PSAC members show solidarity during National Public Service WeekThousands of PSAC members in every region of the country expressed their support for their negotiating teams during Solidarity Week No.3. From coast to coast to coast, they held rallies and demonstrations, served breakfasts and barbecued lunches, organized all-candidates debates, and participated in events of the National Public Service Week wearing PSAC t-shirts, stickers and buttons. The message was always the same: PSAC members want a negotiated settlement. Many PSAC members used the occasion to display their solidarity for other workers and disadvantaged people. For instance, in Saskatoon, they had a barbecue for locked-out workers at the University of Saskatchewan, and in Edmonton, they had a barbecue for over 400 disadvantaged people. See the photo spread of PSAC's Solidarity Week No. 3 on page 2.
Members in Vancouver, B.C., handed out peanuts with a warning label: "Federal Government wage offer is peanuts."
In Mont-Joli, Quebec, PSAC members turned a coffee break into a 45-minute union break in front of a Fisheries and Oceans building.
Members demonstrated in front of a CRA building in Saint John, N.B.
Dave Quist, president of a Union of Taxation Employees Local in Peterborough, wanted to make sure his message was clear with a costume, balloons and flyers.
PSAC balloons in favour of public services and negotiations literally hijacked a National Public Service Week event in the National Capital Region.
Bargaining UpdateCRA No agreement on a Conciliation Board chairpersonOn June 23, PSAC and CRA have asked the Public Service Staff Relations Board (PSSRB) to name a chairperson and to establish dates for the Conciliation Board hearings after the two parties failed to agree on a chairperson on the Board. Both parties have already chosen their respective representatives who will sit on the Board. The union had asked the PSSRB to establish a Conciliation Board on June 1 and also filed a list of issues in dispute that it wants the Board to consider. CRA has replied that they object to the Conciliation Board having the authority to make recommendations on certain demands, particularly those that affect our term members. Term workers at CRA are a significant part of PSAC's membership. CRA may be using tactics through the legal system to ignore their important demands but the union is not giving up. Parks bargaining goes to Conciliation BoardThe Conciliation Board for PSAC's Parks Canada bargaining unit has been established, and hearings began on July 12. James Wolfgang will be the union representative on the Board, and Roc Paquin for the Parks Canada side. The parties have agreed on Phil Chodos as the chairperson. The union filed its request for the establishment of a Conciliation Board on April 23. The employer has been doing everything it can to delay the process. For example, Parks Canada representatives initially indicated that they were not available any time during the summer for the Conciliation Board hearings, but PSAC National President Nycole Turmel intervened, sending a sharp letter to the PSSRB Chairperson pointing out that Parks Canada has had a deliberate strategy designed to prolong the bargaining process. The employer has consistently taken the maximum amount of time allowed throughout the process and asked for extensions to time limits spelled out in the Act, as well as objecting to the union's requests for the appointment of both a Conciliation Officer and a Conciliation Board. The letter from President Turmel helped get the process moving and the Conciliation Board chair was named soon after it was sent. Treasury Board Strike Prep Zone on WebThe Treasury Board "Strike preparation zone" is on the PSAC Web site www.psac-afpc.com for those who want to follow the conciliation process, from the establishment of the Conciliation Board to, if necessary, strike activities. You will find answers to your questions throughout the process, as well as documents, video clips from members of the different tables, logos and much more. Visit the "Zone" often to learn where your table is at in the process. You should also make sure that you subscribe to one of our e-mail news groups, so you can receive, directly by e-mail, the latest updates. There will also be strike preparation zones for CFIA, CRA and Parks negotiations soon.
Deadline reminderThe applications for this year's PSAC Scholarship Program must be postmarked no later than August 15, 2004. The Program is offering 12 scholarships to PSAC members and their children for 2004. For details, visit http://www.psac.com/what/ benefits/ scholarships-e.shtml PSAC's Protective Reassignment petition to be available in hard copyHard copies of the PSAC petition for Protective Reassignment will be available in mid-July, along with a Frequently Asked Questions section, at regional offices across the country. The petition to Parliament calls on the federal government to pass legislation that will ensure full protection for pregnant and nursing workers whose jobs pose a risk to the health of their baby or fetus. The campaign was launched at the 2004 PSAC National Health and Safety Conference, which was held in Toronto from March 26 to 28. The petition can currently be printed from the PSAC Web site at www.psac.com/what/healthsafety/reassignment-e.shtml . Completed petitions should be sent before September 30, 2004, to: Programs Section, PSAC National Headquarters, 233 Gilmour, Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0P1 A postcard which calls for the same legislation and that can be mailed to the Prime Minister is also available on the Web. To get hard copies of the postcard for distribution in your workplace, please contact your nearest PSAC Regional Office.
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