FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                      FEBRUARY 25, 2000

Contracting-out security work at the Museum of Civilization

not a cost-saving measure

OTTAWA …. The decision by management at the Museum of Civilization to contract-out the jobs of 17 full and part-time Security Guards is a step backwards for Canadian taxpayers and visitors to the Museum, says John Baglow, regional vice-president for the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

"These workers, the majority of whom are in their early 20s and who earn an average of $12 per hour, were told by email on February 21, without any details, to show up at a meeting the next day," adds Baglow. "On the same day they were also given a summary of their benefits, once again, without any hint of what management was planning to do. In addition, the employer didn’t consult with the Local at any time as required by the current collective agreement."

Baglow says that during the last round of negotiations the Alliance and the Museum signed a Memorandum of Understanding dealing with part-time employment issues at the Museum. "This committee was making good progress in dealing with very important issues that were brought to the table during the last bargaining sessions. However, in January the Museum Management served notice to cancel their involvement in the joint committee. It is very clear now what they were planning to do."

"On February 18, Pierre Lepage, director, Property Management, Security and Client Services, who is responsible for the security guards, sent the Security Guards an email congratulating them for a job well done during a surprise exercise with the RCMP. In the email, sent to six security guards, three of whom are included in the layoffs, Lepage said the exercise was to test their security measures. It goes on to read: ‘The results are valid and show that the personnel know what they have to do and do it promptly. It would be interesting to pursue the analysis with the RCMP to see where we can improve and recognize our strong points. There will be other exercises of this type in the future and it is an excellent approach to develop our aptitudes to respond to circumstances that can be difficult. You have a very particular role to play … once again congratulations to all your team.’

"At the Youth Summit in Quebec City this week the federal government said they were going to provide more financial resources for the Youth in Canada. Since 14 of the 17 Security Guards being laid off are in their early 20s perhaps the federal government should remind the Museum of this commitment," adds Baglow.

Baglow also points out that the Museum Security Guards have a much higher level of first-aid training which can prove beneficial to the visiting public. "The first-aid required for the ‘private-for-profit’ contractor is at a much lower level. And the dedication of these workers cannot be measured in dollars and cents. If this exercise by management is to save money it is an exercise in futility."

"We urge the Museum of Civilization to stop this contracting-out effort. We will not sit back and watch, yet again, public sector jobs being sold to the highest bidder. We intend to take whatever steps are available to fight the layoff of these workers."

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For information:

John Baglow, PSAC regional vice-president for the National Capital Region, (613) 560-4380

OR

Pierre Parker, PSAC regional representative (819) 777-4647

09-250200