PSAC Union Update for the period October 2- 13, 2000
Based on the understanding that the Advisory Committee on Labour Management Relations, headed up by John Fryer, is considering recommendations that will delay the bargaining process for PSAC members, the National Board of Directors at its September meeting agreed that the PSAC:
* reaffirm its commitment to having the Canada Labour Code (or similar provisions) govern the collective bargaining relationship in the federal public sector; and,
* launch a membership education and mobilization campaign on the Fryer Committee's work, and the benefits of bargaining under the Canada Labour Code; and,
* make it clear to the Fryer Committee and the government that the PSAC will not accept any reform of labour legislation that delays the bargaining process, undermines the right to strike or erodes the autonomy of individual bargaining groups; and,
* make coverage under the Canada Labour Code an issue in the next federal election campaign.
In a September 15 letter to Fryer, PSAC National President Nycole Turmel reminded his committee that a redefined and refocused legislative framework must provide some power balance between the employer and the unions representing federal public sector workers, and simultaneously eliminate the roadblocks to an effective, timely and comprehensive approach to bargaining.
Turmel also made it very clear that the PSAC will not support any recommendations that the committee might ultimately make that extends the existing timeframe. "We strongly recommend that you fashion a process that allows the parties to negotiate and reach a defining moment in the process within six months of the expiry of an existing collective agreement. As a first step, this would require a serious effort to streamline the designation/essential services situation, so that it never again delays the establishment of a conciliation board, and more importantly, render strike activity ineffective. We also take the position that the integrity of our bargaining units must remain intact under any revised legislative framework, and that they continue to have the right to individually negotiate all issues that form part of their respective collective agreements. While arguments may well be advanced that the implementation of the Universal Classification Standard (UCS) will result in a situation where the employer is intent on negotiating base wage rate increases, e.g., general economic increases that are common across the public sector, ultimately bargaining units must remain autonomous under any revised labour code that you recommend."
On the issue of separately-mandated agencies, Turmel stated that Treasury Board must be removed from the equation. "We have a legal right and obligation to negotiate with agencies such as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, yet Treasury Board has the ultimate power to refuse to sign or sanction a collective agreement. This has had and continues to have an exceedingly negative impact on the bargaining process for federal agencies, and undermines the ability of both management and unions to craft collective agreements and working conditions that reflect the specific reality of the agency workplaces."
The PSAC has appeared before the Advisory Committee on three occasions to address some
of the deep-seated frustrations that the PSAC and its federal government members have
faced over the past two decades. 
President Turmel's complete letter and the National Board of Directors' resolution are posted on the union's website at www.psac-afpc.com
PSAC bargaining team members from the Halifax International Airport met September 21 to finalize bargaining demands for their first collective agreement since becoming a Local Airport Authority.
Negotiations will commence on October 23 and 24 when the union's bargaining proposals will be presented to the employer.
Negotiations on behalf of PSAC members at the Atlantic Pilotage Authority continued on September 20 in an attempt to conclude a tentative agreement. However, because of some outstanding issues further negotiations will be held in November, the dates of which are still to be confirmed.
During negotiations from September 22 to 25 on behalf of the Office and Port Workers at the Saint John, N.B. Port Authority, a new two year agreement was reached. The agreement provides for full retroactivity, 2 1/2% in the first year, and the minimum of 2% in the second year with a COLA clause that can provide up to a further 1% increase.
The Safety Boot Allowance was increased to $150 per year and workers required to act in a higher position will receive Acting Pay from the first hour they commence the new duties. The agreement will expire May 31, 2002.
The Local executive and PSAC negotiating team met on September 29 with the Chief of the Red Bank First Nation and the newly elected Council members to explain the bargaining process and provide an update on the status of negotiations. Bargaining on behalf of PSAC members at Red Bank for their first collective agreement will reconvene on October 30 and continue until November 1.
Nav Canada bargaining team members met October 1 and 2 to finalize preparations for the commencement of negotiations on behalf of members in the multi-bargaining unit groups at Nav Canada. On October 3 and 4 the team members met with the employer where bargaining proposals were exchanged. The current collective agreement expired on June 30, 2000.
Bargaining demands on behalf of PSAC Table 1 members are being finalized and will be exchanged electronically with the employer in late October.
Preparations are currently under way to recommence negotiations on behalf of PSAC members at the Canadian Museum of Nature following the finalization of the new classification plan.
The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the Operation of the new Plating Plant in Winnipeg has been finalized and signed. This MOA provides for amendments to the current collective agreement that will ensure no contracting-out of bargaining unit work in the Plating Plant.
Dates for the resumption of negotiations on behalf of PSAC members at the Saint John Airport Authority are currently under discussion following the employer's hiring of a new negotiator.
Negotiations on behalf of PSAC members at NPF Gagetown were held October 5 and 6.
Conciliation meetings with Conciliation Officer Gilles Grenier for PSAC members at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will resume on October 11 and continue through to October 13. The outstanding issues include: staffing, classification, wages, acting pay, and, wash up time.
At the August 22 and 23 meetings with the Conciliator, the parties signed off a number of issues, however, the core agenda for duration and compensation remains unresolved.
The National Bargaining Conference to deal with the bargaining demands for the next round of negotiations for PSAC members at the Parks Canada Agency will be held from December 1 to 4 at the Nav Canada Centre in Cornwall, Ontario.
The dates for the two Regional Bargaining Conferences have now been scheduled. The Western Regional Conference will be held in Calgary on October 28 and 29. The Eastern Regional Conference will be held in Saint John, N.B. from November 5 to 6.
The Regional Conferences will allow representatives elected from each Parks Canada Local to meet, discuss bargaining input and make recommendations to the National Bargaining Conference.
Negotiations on behalf of PSAC members at the Ottawa International Airport will resume the week of November 6. During the September 18 to 22 bargaining session progress was made in a number of areas.
Each
year the PSAC offers four $1,000 Scholarships and a $300 Bursary for each province and the
territories, to sons and daughters of PSAC members who are leaving high school and
entering their first year of university, college or institute of higher learning. For
eligibility requirements and/or application forms please check our website at www.psac-afpc.com or contact the PSAC
Communications and Political Action Section at (613) 560-4292.
Mary Barbara Langille, daughter of Barbara A. Langille, a member of the PSAC's Customs Excise Union Douanes Accise (CEUDA) Local 80002, Halifax. Mary is the recipient of the Day of Mourning Scholarship. Her essay was entitled "A Safe and Healthy Workplace Reaps Profits". Mary is working towards a Bachelor of Science degree at St. Mary's University, Halifax.
Mary Ellen Landrigan, daughter of Joe Landrigan, a member of National Health and Welfare Union (NHWU) Local 9004, Charlottetown. Mary is studying Science at St. Mary's University in Halifax.
Mohanjit Singh, son of Gurpreet Singh, a member of CEUDA Local 024 in Brampton. Mohanjit is attending the University of Toronto working towards a degree in Engineering Sciences.
Kimberley Hickson, daughter of Trudy Stalker, a member of Union of Taxation Employees (UTE) Local 70030, Ottawa. Kimberley is attending the University of Ottawa working towards a Bachelor of Fine Arts.
Avninder Gill, daughter of Gurpal Singh Gill, a member of UTE Local 20029, Surrey. Avninder is attending the Kwantlen university College studying sciences.
Robert Justin Bak, son of Vicky Bak, a member of UTE Local 30025, Edmonton. Robert is studying math and sciences at the University of Alberta.
Jodie Danielle
Peterson, daughter of Doreen Marie Boyd, a member of Union of Solicitor General
Employees (USGE) Local 40061, Rosetown, Sask. Jodie is attending the University of
Lethbridge working towards a degree in education.
Daniel Russell Gilbert, son of Patricia Gilbert, a member of National Component Local 50011 in Winnipeg. Daniel is studying sciences at the University of Manitoba.
Marie Claire Simard, daughter of Nicole Delorme, a member of Union of Postal Communications Employees (UPCE) Ottawa Local 70180. Marie Claire is attending the University of Ottawa studying sciences.
Christine Kor, daughter of Joseph Kor, a member of UTE Local 10008, Montreal. Christine is studying Biochemistry at McGill University in Montreal.
Carolyn Henley, daughter of Samuel Henley, a member of Agriculture Union Local 80058, Nappan, N.S. She is studying science at Saint Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, N.S.
Kathleen Anderson, daughter of David Anderson, a member of Canada Employment & Immigration Union (CEIU) Local 60260, Fredericton. Kathleen is attending the University of New Brunswick working towards a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Nicole Marie Kelly, daughter of Danny Kelly, a member of CEUDA Branch 90060, Summerside. Nicole is attending Mount Allison University in New Brunswick and is concentrating on math and sciences.
Jillian Ennis, daughter of Gerard R. Ennis, a member of UTE Local 90001, St. John's, Nfld. Jillian is attending Memorial University.
Striking PSAC members at the Saskatoon Airport returned to work on October 4 after ratifying their new six-year collective agreement.
"We have achieved a settlement that is fair and equitable to both sides," said Richard Jasieniuk, president of Local 40404 of the PSAC's Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE). "However, this settlement would not have been achieved without the support and solidarity of our membership," he added. "There is little doubt that the employer underestimated the resolve of these members."
PSAC Strike Captain Doug Fahlgren pointed out that the settlement money for the life of the agreement is "more than double what the employer offered us before we went on strike".
The new collective agreement, effective July 1, 1999, provides for a 3% economic increase effective that date as well as a market adjustment ranging from 3% to 14%. Effective July 1, 2000 there is a 3% increase and a further 3% for the years 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. The agreement, which will expire on June 30, 2005, also provides for protection against contracting-out and layoffs.
According to the striking members it was the overwhelming moral and financial support they received from PSAC members and the labour movement across the country that kept their spirits high during the 82 days on the picket line.