Workforce Adjustment
November 7, 2012
Progress in mediation on alternation grievance; unions file for arbitration
As communicated in June, the PSAC and PIPSC filed a policy grievance against the employer's failure to maintain adequate processes to facilitate alternation opportunities. As a result of this failure, many employees who have been made opting have been denied the ability to participate in alternation.
Representatives of PIPSC and the Public Service Alliance of Canada met with Treasury Board numerous times over the summer in an effort to resolve the issues raised in our policy grievance.
Unfortunately we were unable to make satisfactory progress in resolving the issues raised by the grievance. In early September both unions referred the matter to adjudication. As a result representatives met with the mediator from the Public Service Labour Relations Board on October 17 and 18, 2012.
Although the mediation wasn't conclusive it was productive. The employer and our unions had a thorough discussion of the problem and explored corrective actions that would meet the needs of all sides. Our goal remains getting an extended time to arrange alternations for employees who were disadvantaged by the lack of process.
The unions are now waiting for a response from more senior decision makers at Treasury Board to the proposals that were discussed. At the same time, and without prejudice to the possible progress made during mediation, the unions have asked the Public Service Labour Relations Board for dates for an arbitration hearing.
We encourage members who are told that they cannot alternate to contact us through your regular channels if you wish to challenge the employer's decisions.
You can rest assured that a satisfactory outcome to the problems raised in this grievance is of utmost importance for PIPSC and PSAC and that we are committed to working together tirelessly towards a solution.
Date Modified : 2012/11/07
