June 30, 2008
Employer refuses to address critical issues, your bargaining team says it's too early for mediation
Negotiators for Parks Canada Agency applied for mediation after walking away from the bargaining table last May.
Your bargaining team believes that mediation is premature because the parties are far from resolving the substantive issues and that the employer has not even addressed the critically important issues, including the arming initiative.
The employer’s application for mediation to the Public Service Labour Relations Board came after seven days of fruitless negotiations that began on May 5.
Your bargaining team had agreed to return to the table at the request of Parks Canada Agency and after it had publicly announced that they wanted to return to the bargaining to address all of our important bargaining demands. Your team had made the commitment to you that they would remain at the table in an effort to reach a fair and just collective agreement.
Unfortunately, as in the previous bargaining sessions that began more than a year ago, the Agency refused to negotiate some of our high priority issues. These issues include no contracting out, the privatization of parks services and the downsizing of the bargaining unit. The Agency also did not bring up the arming initiative before it walked away from the table.
We have sent two letters to the Board saying that we believe the employer should return to the bargaining table and bargain in good faith to reach a fair collective agreement. We stated clearly to the Board that before entering into mediation, the Agency must provide all of the information we require on our important issues, including no contracting out, work of the bargaining unit, privatization and downsizing, and the arming initiative. Although the Board has said that it intends to appoint a mediator, this has not happened, and we are still waiting for the Board’s response.
It is unfortunate that Parks Canada Agency continues to engage in activities that prevent your bargaining team from negotiating a collective agreement.
Home Site Map Contact Us Bargaining Search Join Our Union Français
Date Modified : 2008/07/30
Public Service Alliance of Canada | 233, Gilmour Street, Ottawa, ONTARIO CANADA, K2P 0P1, Tel.: 1 888 604-7722 (PSAC)