OTTAWA, April 22, 2015 - Federal public service unions are united in their opposition to the Conservative government's plan to unilaterally eliminate the existing sick leave provisions in their collective agreements. In a meeting today, the federal public service unions, which together represent more than 166,000 employees, agreed to develop a common response to the federal government's proposal.
"What the government is proposing in the 2015 budget will derail negotiations and cause irreparable damage to labour relations in the public service," said Ron Cochrane, chair of the National Joint Council of the federal public service unions. "For the government to say that it will legislate the bargaining outcome if we do not agree at the bargaining table is unfair and it's a violation of our right to free collective bargaining."
The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that the right of workers to collective bargaining is a constitutional right protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, explained Mr. Cochrane.
The Federal Bargaining Agents of the National Joint Council are:
- Association of Canadian Financial Officers
- Association of Justice Counsel
- Canadian Air Traffic Control Association, Unifor Local 5454
- Canadian Association of Professional Employees
- Canadian Federal Pilots Association
- Canadian Merchant Service Guild
- Canadian Military Colleges Faculty Association
- Coast Guard Marine Communications Officers Unifor Local 2182
- Unifor, Local 87-M
- Federal Government Dockyard Chargehands Association*
- Federal Government Dockyard Trades and Labour Council (East)*
- Federal Government Dockyard Trades and Labour Council (West)
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 2228
- Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers
- Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
- Public Service Alliance of Canada
- Research Council Employees' Association
- Union of Canadian Correctional Officers - CSN
*Links no longer available.
