National Public Service Week: We Deserve Better

We contribute to the well-being of Canadians in many ways, and the value of our work deserves to be recognized. National Public Service Week claims to give such recognition, but the government’s effort falls well short of the mark. Their behaviour at the bargaining table and their plans for contracting out our work tell a very different story from National Public Service Week. We deserve better.

Your contract

By June, 2004, we should have had a new contract with respectable improvements. Instead, the government has dragged out negotiations, rejected our job security proposals, pushed for roll-backs to our contract and offered pathetic salary increases of 1.75%, 1.25% and 1.25%. Senior managers get very different treatment: on April 1,2004 they received a 2.5% increase and over 90% received generous bonuses on top of the increase. Whose work does the government really value?

Your job

The government’s Expenditure Review Committee, announced last December, will review all government operations with a clear view to contracting out our work. Here are some of the criteria the committee will apply:

• Is there a legitimate and necessary role for government in this program area or activity?
• What activities or programs should or could be transferred in whole or in part to the private/voluntary sector?
• Does the program exploit all options for achieving lower delivery costs through intelligent use of technology, public-private partnership, third-party delivery mechanisms, and non-spending instruments?

Pretty clear message: we value your work, but would rather pay someone else less to do it.

Your local

There are two ways your local can approach National Public Service Week. The first is to boycott it altogether. Many locals reject NPSW as a thin veneer that tries to cover over the way the government really treats us. They want nothing to do with it.

The second approach is to participate in NPSW, but in a way that makes our views known. Locals following this path make it clear that they expect more than the kind words offered by NPSW. “Recognize our work in ways that count” is the message that locals can send at NPSW activities.

PSAC Solidarity Week 3

Solidarity week is June 14, the same week as NPSW. Want to send a message to the government about the issues that count? Want to show your support for your bargaining team? Connect with your PSAC regional office and take part in the activities they have planned. Spring is a great time to get together with the members in your office and to make your voices heard.

Let us know

Whatever you do during the week of June 14, let us know about it. Members want to hear about local activities elsewhere, so keep CEIU in the loop. You can post information on our website discussion boards or send e-mail (and photos) tocontact@ceiu-seic.ca.

During the week of June 14, tell the government that We Deserve Better!