Members of the bargaining team for Parks Canada met with the agency last week, where they exchanged proposals. In an email to its employees, Parks Canada maintained that it is committed to “continue this open and constructive dialogue” with the union.
“We remain confident that, together, we will reach a renewed collective agreement that is fair and equitable to the Parks Canada team members and to Canadian taxpayers.”
In case you don’t speak Harper, this translates to “scrapping your current sick leave provisions”. The bargaining team categorically rejected that idea. In fact, they are determined to nix any proposals that would erode our rights and benefits under the collective agreement. As reported by the PSAC:
“Your bargaining team also rejected all of the Agency’s concessions and expressed our displeasure with what we feel is an unnecessary and unjustified attack on Seasonal members. For example, the Agency is proposing to extend the time period that disciplinary action stays on a Seasonal member’s record, and to lower the amount of Family Related leave for Seasonal members by pro-rating that entitlement. Your bargaining team believes that leave for family related reasons should remain based on needs of members and their families.”
The bargaining team also told the employer that its policies and the collective agreement ought to be applied consistently across the organization.
The bargaining team will meet with the employer again at the end of May.