February 3, 2009
Negotiations with Treasury Board
PSAC Bargaining Units with Treasury Board (PA, SV, TC, EB, FB)
Treasury Board collective agreements not affected by wage roll-backs
But PSAC commits to fighting federal wage legislation that would affect any of our members and threaten free collective bargaining
On January 27, the Harper government renewed its intention to introduce legislation to control the wage increases of federal public sector workers. This legislation – as alluded to in the federal budget -- would cover the federal public administration, establishing wage increases of 2.3 per cent for 2007, and 1.5 per cent for 2008, 2009 and 2010. While the definition of ‘federal public administration' has yet to be clarified, what is clear is that the federal government wants to clamp down on any spending which it can control.
PSAC can confirm that the recently ratified Treasury Board agreements for the PA, SV, FB and EB groups would not be subject to the legislation.
That's because the economic increases contained in these agreements match those outlined in the federal budget: 2.3%, 1.5%, 1.5% and 1.5%. These agreements, as well as the many others negotiated in November 2008, all contain the government-mandated economic increases. More information on these negotiations can be found at:
http://www.psac-afpc.com/bargaining/faq-e.shtml
What we are concerned about is the possibility of wage roll-backs for any of our members who negotiated higher wage rates than the ones stipulated as “mandatory” in the federal budget. The November 27, 2008 Economic and Fiscal Update strongly indicated that negotiated collective agreements with a higher wage increase in 2009 and 2010 would be rolled back.
The January 27th budget is somewhat less clear. But the government's recent announcement that it would roll back scheduled wage increases for the RCMP, combined with statements made in November by Treasury Board President Vic Toews, strongly suggest that the proposed legislation will roll back wage increases contained in previously signed collective agreements.
Any such action would violate a 2007 Supreme Court of Canada decision that found free collective bargaining to be encompassed and protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
PSAC will challenge any legislation that rolls back any of our agreements and we are working hard to find out which bargaining units will be impacted.
We will keep you up to date on this issue as more information becomes available. Members are encouraged to email their MP and the Prime Minister and tell them not to roll back fairly negotiated wage increases. Not only is this unfair – it violates Canadian law.
Date Modified : 2010/07/29
