February 3, 2009
News release
Federal Government in violation of Charter of Rights and Freedoms,says PSAC
Ottawa – The Public Service Alliance of Canada is challenging the federal government’s definition of employee, claiming it denies certain federal public service workers the freedom of association guaranteed under section 2(d) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The definition of employee in the Public Service Labour Relations Act (PSLRA), excludes student, casual, and short-term workers from access to collective bargaining under the Act. This provision prevents these workers from becoming union members and denies them access to the collective bargaining process contrary to the freedom of association guarantee in the Charter. PSAC, the largest federal public service union in Canada, has filed its case at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
“It is time for the Federal Government to accept that the Charter is for all members of Canadian society including federal public service workers,” PSAC National President John Gordon says. “For the Federal Government to deny any worker a fundamental freedom guaranteed by the Charter sends the message that the Federal Government believes the Charter can be ignored. We do not agree and we intend to fight for the right of these workers to become union members and to bargain collectively with their co-workers.”
To arrange media interviews :
Alain Cossette, PSAC Communications 613-293-9210
07-030209
Date Modified : 2010/07/29
