PSAC kicks off national bargaining conference

Collective agreements for CEIU members expire in 2007 and preparations for negotiations are already in motion. An important step is being taken this week at the PSAC’s national bargaining conference in Ottawa.

The delegates to the National Bargaining Conference represent over 95,000 workers at Treasury Board and Parks Canada. They were elected and/or selected from amongst those attending Regional Bargaining Conferences held late last year in Montreal and Vancouver.

Representing the CEIU are National President Jeannette Meunier-McKay, Carm Chan, Louiselle Laforest, Mike Nugent and Barry Wilton. According the CEIU National President, the first day began well. Delegates reviewed the results of a poll of PSAC members that showed a widespread willingness to support the union in the effort to secure a good agreement.

Delegates then moved to consider how best to engage members in this bargaining round, including a special focus on members who traditionally do not take an active role in union affairs. "We want to be inclusive, we want to bring in those who seldom become active around collective bargaining." said Mike Nugent.

The conference reviewed important demographic information in preparation for setting bargaining priorities. According to Barry Wilton, for one third of the membership, this will be their first experience with bargaining while for another third, it will be their last. "We need to keep in mind the needs of new members, those who will retire within the next few years and those in between." said Wilton.

Delegates heard guest speakers from both the union and academic worlds. In their own way, they sent a very similar message. Getting a good agreement at the bargaining table depends on a local membership that is informed, engaged and organized. Participants will be turning their attention to these tasks later in the conference and will also begin the careful work of prioritizing the bargaining proposals submitted by local unions across the country.

Updates on the conference will be provided and a special discussion forum on the 2007 round of negotiations is now available for members with a login account at the CEIU national website.