[Tb-bargaining] TB Bargaining update: SV Group

[Patrick Bragg]

TB Bargaining update: SV Group

Your SV Team was in Ottawa from January 29 to February 1, 2008, to meet
with the Employer.Our efforts this week focused on pay zones and the
apprenticeship issue. On Article 44, Maternity-Related Reassignment or
Leave, the SV group experiences unique work issues around finding
alternate work for pregnant and nursing members in workplaces that are
hazardous or where the nature of the work poses a health threat to the
members.

Ongoing discussions continued on allowances that included height pay,
transportation of dangerous goods, NERT and dirty work. Talks centred on
broadening the scope of allowances, as well as the method of their
payment.

There were meaningful discussions on the apprenticeship issue, with
movement on the Employer*s part to entertain this issue.

Treasury Board viewed the Childcare/Family Fund discussions as
something that must be done at a different venue. As the SV group has
the lead on this, the Team believes that this important issue belongs at
the bargaining table.

With the early retirement for enforcement and emergency workers, the
Employer wished to review language for other groups and bring it to the
next round for further discussions.

An extensive presentation on zones was made to the Employer on
Thursday, January 31. We showed the Employer our *No Zones* DVD,
with each team member adding more insights into how they and their
fellow members are affected by zones. UNDE National President John
McLennan was also on hand to support the team and expressed his views on
zones. The presentation was well received by the Employer, and they
indicated a willingness to work with us on this issue.

On Friday, February 1, the PSAC-REVP for the Prairies and AEC member
resposible for the SV group, Robyn Benson, discussed the past week of
negotiations and chaired a conference call at noon with the No Zones
Committee. Workplace actions on the No Zones campaign should be ramped
up to the next level. A number of options on how to do this were
discussed.

Randy Sanderson presented a review of the ship*s crew demands to the
SV team. The ship*s crew sub-committee will be returning for their
next round on February 17. The SV Team will be returning to the
negotiating table on February 26.

No Zones! We want to be treated equally in the evaluation of the value
of our work.