Parks: Employer agrees that arming issues require discussion at the bargaining table
Published by Patrick July 24th, 2008 in Bargaining, National Issues, Parks Canada Tags: Bargaining, parks.
Following a May 9 announcement by Parks Canada Agency that it intends to arm 100 Parks employees, the Parks bargaining team walked away from the table on May 11 without discussing this very important issue with your bargaining team.
From the beginning, PSAC has been very clear that any and all issues regarding the arming initiative must first be discussed at the bargaining table.
PSAC confirmed this position in a July 15 letter sent to Parks Canada Agency and, on behalf of Parks Canada, Andrew Campbell responded on July 18 affirming that the arming initiative will be discussed at the bargaining table.
The arming initiative is complex because it involves both “terms and conditions of employment,” which should be dealt with at the bargaining table, and health and safety issues that should be addressed by the National Occupational Safety and Health (NOSH) committee.
However, it is for the bargaining teams to discuss and determine which issues are properly issues for the bargaining table and which issues are more properly issues for NOSH committee discussions.
Your bargaining team will be focused on all of your high priority issues when we begin mediation Monday, September 29.
Continue to support your bargaining team and participate in the many activities planned for this summer.
For information on these activities please contact your regional office or a bargaining team member.
Be clear Be loud Be determined! Tell the Employer: We Want An Agreement