[Tb-bargaining] After a year in bargaining, June is the time for action!

[Patrick Bragg]

Treasury Board has recently attempted to shift the blame onto the PSAC
for cancelling what were only tentative bargaining dates in June. If
anyone*s responsible for bargaining not taking place in June, it*s
Treasury Board.

    * Send an email to your MP: let them know Public Services make a
difference! http://www.psacbc.com/think-public/

PSAC has already been at the bargaining table for a year. What we*ve
heard most from Treasury Board is NO, NO and more NO.

    * NO to the elimination of regional pay zones
    * NO to pay adjustments to bring our members* salaries in line
with the private and public sectors
    * NO to important demands such as job security for CBSA members
affected by the arming initiative.

At the same time, it has taken a year for Treasury Board to put any
pressure on departments to submit their proposals for essential
services. Treasury Board knows very well that Essential Services
Agreements must be signed before members can take legal strike action.
The longer they drag this process out, the more they think it will
weaken the union*s ability to negotiate fair settlements for our
members.

Don*t be fooled by pious words from Treasury Board about how
they*re committed to the bargaining process and to a settlement.

    * During the last year, Treasury Board could have treated our
demands seriously at the table. All they*ve done so far is withdraw
most of their demands for take-aways. It has taken us a year to get back
to square one.
    * Treasury Board could have put a serious wage offer on the table,
dealing with all our pay problems, not just 1.5% and 1.2%.
    * Treasury Board could have proposed a shorter agreement instead of
trying to lock our members into a four-year agreement.

It*s time to show Treasury Board who*s really to blame for the fact
that we*re fast approaching the one-year anniversary date of our
members being without a new agreement.

June 19 is your opportunity to join with your co-workers to tell the
employer that you deserve to be treated with respect. Stay tuned to the
website for actions planned near you, or sign up for the TB regional
bargaining update email list.