No 11

October 10, 1997

NEGOTIATION OR LEGISLATION?

The PSAC has been alerted that the Liberal government may be prepared to introduce legislation to deal with the pay equity issue rather than negotiate a settlement. The legislation could also be an attempt by the government to pre-empt the ruling from the Canadian Human Rights tribunal hearing our case. With legislation a possibility, an open letter was faxed to every Liberal MP, including Cabinet Ministers, signed by all the members of the Alliance Executive Committee (AEC). The letter called on the Liberals to reject the legislative route and to resume negotiations. And, we alerted key opposition MPs, asking for their support.

MASSÉ MISLEADS HOUSE OF COMMONS

On September 29, MP Caroline St-Hilaire (BQ) asked the question "Does the President of the Treasury Board intend to comply with the decision of the human rights tribunal in the matter of pay equity?" Marcel Massé replied: "Mr. Speaker, clearly it would be better to reach a negotiated settlement with the unions. This is why we are continuing our negotiations."

In answer to a similar question put to him by NDP MP Bev Desjarlais on October 1, Massé had this to say: "There is at present a case in front of the human rights tribunal and we are waiting for that judgment to be rendered. Once again, we have been trying to negotiate with the union to get a fair settlement. We stand ready to apply the various judgments once they are made final." Massé failed to mention that Treasury Board's chief negotiator Mary Eberts unilaterally put a stop to the negotiations on September 8.

OUR RESPONSE TO MR. MASSÉ

Our position is clear. Negotiate! Don't legislate. Following Mr. Massé's statements in the House, PSAC national president Daryl Bean immediately faxed him a letter and reminded him that Treasury Board had shut down negotiations. He reiterated the union's position that we wish to proceed with negotiations and asked him to instruct his negotiator accordingly. We're ready and waiting … and waiting.

IS THE GOVERNMENT TESTING THE WATERS?

The government may be ready with legislation but contrary to recent rumours that it would be tabled soon they haven't yet given notice in the House of its introduction. Meanwhile, Massé keeps referring to non-existent negotiations.

While the rumours about legislation have spread, so has membership outrage. As MP Desjarlais said in the House "how can Canadians trust this government not to change the law, any law which it finds inconvenient?" The only reason for the government to legislate, rather than negotiate, would be to avoid its obligation under the present law and pay Alliance members less that they are owed.

In Ottawa, PSAC leaders are working with opposition MPs to continue putting pressure on Massé and the Liberals in the House. Now, more than ever, is the time for all PSAC members to let their MP know that legislation is not the answer. There is a pay equity law in place; there is no need for a weaker law.

* Make a phone call, mail or fax a letter to your MP reminding him/her that you're waiting for the government to live up to its law and that legislating to avoid their legal obligations is a disgrace.

* Use the "Negotiate! Don't Legislate!" stickers available from PSAC regional offices and join in the activities in your region.

WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND THE COUNTRY

On September 23 at the annual general meeting of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women (NAC), a national campaign with the Canadian Labour Congress was launched under the slogan "Just Wages/Pay Equity". The campaign, which will feature the PSAC's struggles for pay equity, will bring together unions, pay equity coalitions and women's groups who are fighting for pay equity and economic justice. Our struggle is not just about the money which is owed. It is also about fighting against governments and employers who undervalue and underpay the work women do everywhere. PSAC representatives also took part in NAC's annual lobby of the political parties just before the opening of Parliament. Marcel Massé did not appear.

Across the country members are participating in all kinds of pay equity support activities, far too numerous to include in this bulletin. Here are a few examples. Members in Labrador have been seeking support from the public and the business community by advertising the positive economic impact of a full pay equity settlement. In Halifax, members took their protest to the Canadian Human Rights Commission offices against a 43 cent on the dollar settlement. September 29 to October 3 saw workplace activities throughout Quebec as part of their pay equity pressure week. Starting in Toronto, members are contributing pay equity messages on pieces of old clothing as part of a "Liberal Dirty Laundry" action. The clothing will be collected and delivered by convoy to Parliament on October 17. In Edmonton, members recently conducted a lunch-hour silent vigil in the workplace which attracted good media coverage.

A particular effort is being made to reach out to members affected by the pay equity complaint who have retired or left the government for any reason including downsizing and layoffs. These former members also have a stake in the eventual settlement. If you know any former members in the female-dominated groups, ask them to call their MPs and to join in any of the pay equity activities taking place in your region.