[Tb-bargaining] TC bargaining update

[Patrick Bragg]

Attention to all members of the DD, EG, GT, PI, PY and TI pay groups

We have a month and a half until our arbitration hearing dates. We have
three days scheduled for mediation sessions and a formal arbitration
hearing. These will occur on July 6 to 8, 2009.

Since we filed for arbitration, the government has passed the
regressive Expenditure Restraint Act. Having come into effect at the
this stage of bargaining, the legislation constitutes demonstrable bad
faith on the part of the government as it has changed the rules of
negotiations mid-way through the collective bargaining process. In so
doing, it has imposed restraints on the resolution of our disputes on
issues relating to pay.

Even with these restraints, your bargaining team has committed to
continue on the arbitration route. This way, we are able to seek a
ruling from the arbitrator on our issues which are not covered by the
legislation.

We will be posting our complete arbitration brief on the web site
shortly before the hearing. This document will contain our written
arguments on all outstanding issues to be put in front of the board.

Last month, the PSAC launched a court challenge to the Expenditure
Restraint Act, which we see as an unconstitutional assault on freedom of
association. The Act, by placing arbitrary limits on compensation
increases, denies workers* rights to freedom of association and to
free collective bargaining. In a number of cases, the Act actually rolls
back wage increases that were negotiated in good faith. 

Visit the national website for more details on the court challenge -
http://www.psac.com/news/2009/releases/21-0409-e.shtml