Negotiating teams postpone bargaining with Treasury Board over Budget Act

PSAC bargaining teams for the core public administration and separate agencies met today to discuss their response to the government’s decision to gut collective bargaining rights in the recently tabled Budget Implementation Act. Bargaining teams all decided to postpone this week’s round of negotiations in order to assess the implications of the government’s violation of our members’ rights, and evaluate all possible actions to defend them.

The Budget Implementation Act (Bill C-59) authorizes Treasury Board to rip up collective agreements to remove sick leave and impose a short and long term disability plan outside of negotiated agreements. The Bill will circumvent the Public Service Labour Relations Act as well as ongoing negotiations.

“In light of the recent attack by this government against our members, our elected bargaining teams have decided not to engage in the scheduled round of negotiations this week,” said Robyn Benson, National President of PSAC. “This government is obviously acting in bad faith and have decided to bully their way into getting what they want, in complete disregard for the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and existing collective agreements.”

The Supreme Court established the right to collective bargaining as a Charter right. Bargaining teams were strong in their resolve to defend our rights using all means at our disposal.

PSAC’s recent National Triennial Convention recently voted to use up to $5 million to protect members’ rights and promote public services.
Bargaining teams will continue their discussions. Further decisions on the next round of scheduled negotiations will be taken in due course.