More dates being set for later this month
On Tuesday our Bargaining Team met with the Museum to continue talks for a new contract. While some progress was made, we remain in dispute with the Museum concerning compensation, protections against contracting out, leave provisions and other matters.
With respect to wages, the Museum’s position continues to be dramatically below what has recently been agreed to by other federal employers in the cultural sector, including both the National Arts Centre and the National Gallery. The employer’s position is also well below current and forecasted economic trends. Consequently the parties remain far apart on wages.
With respect to protections for our jobs, management continues to take a position that is inferior to what has been agreed to elsewhere in the federal cultural sector.
The issue of sick leave arose in Tuesday’s session. Management signaled an interest in proposing language that would contemplate the parties agreeing to reopen the contract and negotiate sick leave after the agreement has been signed in the event that changes take place in the federal public service. While we indicated that the union will look at any proposal in good faith, we have no interest in opening the contract once it is signed to discuss potential cuts to our sick leave. Our union signed a 4-year agreement with the Gallery last year with no mention of a sick leave reopener. Our union is currently in bargaining for a 3-year agreement with the House of Commons where no language concerning sick leave is being sought. We told management on Tuesday that the same should also apply with CSTMC.
Union taking action over layoffs.
Last month the Corporation reduced a number of VE positions and a position in the Boutique. Our local will be filing grievances over these reductions as it is our position that the contract was not properly followed and that employees should be reinstated. We will also be consulting union legal counsel to determine if additional legal action might be followed in light of the layoffs.
We will uphold our contract rights.
We are in the process of scheduling more bargaining for later this month. We’ll be sure to update as things progress. If you have any questions speak with your union representative, or a member of our Bargaining Team (Sharon Babaian, Bryan Casey and Yvon Renaud).
Source: PSAC Members at CSTMC United for a Fair Contract