FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2000 OTTAWA…Some 1,000 Public Service Alliance of
Canada (PSAC) members working for the federal government as librarians, teachers and
education support workers have voted in favour of a new one-year collective agreement with
Treasury Board. "This agreement includes a number of innovations," according
to PSAC National President Daryl Bean. "A new clause which provides employees working
as 10-month teachers, who do not receive annual leave, with two, non-cumulative days off
with pay per year for their personal needs is a step towards reducing stress and
burnout." The agreement provides for a salary increase of 2% plus an $800 lump sum
payment, as well as improvements in vacation leave, and shift and weekend premiums. Of
benefit to employees in remote locations is the provision allowing employees to take up to
one day with pay for a medical appointment for a dependent family member, up from one-half
day. A clause which permits employees to vary the way they take bereavement leave
acknowledges their different cultural and religious practices - another innovation. The one-year agreement for the Education and Library
Science Group expires on June 30, 2000. It includes the employees in the bargaining units
formerly known as Library Science (LS), Education (ED) and Educational Support (EU). - 30 - For information: Daryl Bean,
PSAC national president, (613) 560-4330 13-200300 
Federal librarians, teachers and education
support workers ratify latest collective agreement