FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                    AUGUST 24, 2001

OTTAWA - ‘The Table 3 (Technical Services group) Conciliation Board Report is a significant step towards a settlement for PSAC Treasury Board groups," says Nycole Turmel, national president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).

"The recommendation for wage increases of 3.5% in the first year and approximately 4% in the second and third years (3% plus $500), contained in the Conciliation Board Chairperson’s report released today, is a complete repudiation of the government’s position and can be attributed to the economic reality and the strong message sent to Treasury Board during the August 15 strike," adds Turmel

"While the conciliation board hearings were under way for this group on August 15, the first ‘Workless Wednesday’, PSAC members across the country were on the picket line reminding Treasury Board that they didn’t expect a 20% increase but they do deserve respect and a fair increase," continues John Gordon, PSAC national executive vice-president. "Once the strike action started happening, progress started being made at conciliation."

Turmel adds that the PSAC Table 3 bargaining team is prepared to return to negotiations using the recommendations contained in Chairperson David Kates’ report and representative James Wolfgang’s partial dissent as the basis for these talks.

The Conciliation Board report also contains a unanimous recommendation on the long-standing issue of Captive Time. "The provision of additional leave for those workers in travel status for long periods of time is a significant breakthrough for our Table 3 members," adds Gordon.

A joint research study on the travel demands facing Table 3 members and its impact was released earlier this year. The study found that between 400 and 800 Table 3 members travel away from home more than 40 nights per year, and there are many travelling more than 80 nights per year.

"Many employers talk about creating a ‘family-friendly’ work environment and it is clear that the Captive Time experience impacts on all kinds of workers, with all kinds of family situations," Turmel continues. "With Treasury Board agreeing to the Board’s recommendation on the issue, I am pleased to see that they too are working towards creating a ‘family-friendly’ work environment."

Other recommendations in the Chairperson’s report include the continuation and expansion of Terminal Allowances for specific groups within Table 3 as well as a Hazard Payment for Fishery Enforcement officers.

The 8,500 Table 3, Technical Officers group, includes employees who work in Drafting and Illustration, Engineering and Scientific Support, General Technical, Photography, Primary Products Inspection, and, Technical Inspection.

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For information: PSAC National President Nycole Turmel (613) 560-4330
                                PSAC National Executive Vice-President John Gordon (613) 560-4310
                                Nancy Mitchell, PSAC Communications Officer (613) 560-4235

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