For immediate release                                                               May 19^th, 2000

Ottawa - "Pregnant or breast-feeding women who are working in conditions which pose a risk to their health, that of their fetus or child, need to have the full backing of a strong federal law," says Nycole Turmel, President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC). "The amendments contained in Bill C-12 regarding Pregnant and Nursing Workers are a positive step forward, but they don’t go far enough in providing the necessary health and safety protection."

Recently, the PSAC President presented a submission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations on Bill C-12 - an Act to amend the Canada Labour Code Part II in respect of occupational health and safety.

"As is Bill C-12 does nothing to address unjust and discriminatory situations faced by federal workers," emphasized Turmel.

For example, the PSAC submission notes the case of federal correctional officers working at the Établissement de détention de Joliette, the women’s correctional facility in the province of Québec.

"At that institution pregnant workers under Québec provincial jurisdiction - nurses and community workers - receive preventative leave because of the risk of infectious diseases and assaults. Yet, federal correctional officers, who are often first to intervene during emergencies and who are working side by side with these provincial workers, aren’t entitled to the same legal protection," explains Turmel.

The PSAC submission calls for provisions which allow for the modifying of job functions or the reassignment of a worker to a more suitable job away from the potential health and safety hazard. If that’s not possible, the pregnant or nursing worker must have the legislated right to fully-paid leave until the pregnancy or nursing is completed.

Québec has led the way and remains the only jurisdiction in Canada which adequately protects pregnant and breast-feeding workers against health and safety hazards, notes Turmel.

In addition to the recommendations regarding pregnant and breast-feeding workers, the PSAC’s submission addresses a number of specific concerns faced by public service workers including the definition of health, the health and safety of Parliamentary workers, the appeal procedure for health and safety issues, violence in the workplace, and regulations on ergonomics.

For more information call: Nycole Turmel - (613) 560-4330 or Louise Hall - (613) 560-4370

34-190500