Speaking up about bargaining

Wearing scarves with the inscription “If I could speak my mind…” members in Quebec showed they were more than capable of speaking up about the current round of negotiations with the Treasury Board. They joined members across the country in identifying the threat of increased shift work and employer delays in bargaining as critical issues.

Local 10362 President Marc Bellefeuille thanked his members for their support, noting “We had 99% of our members in Victoriaville, Bécancour, Shawinigan, Drummondville and the call centre in Shawinigan wearing scarves—and speaking their minds.”

Members were concerned with more that bargaining issues however. The new rules for staffing positions in the public service were singled out for special attention. According to Bellefeuille, “The new staffing legislation gives all the power to management and our legitimate concerns about merit and fairness are dismissed. Members are increasingly frustrated by this.”

But bargaining issues were the main focus. The delay in reaching a new agreement continues a practice the Treasury Board has followed for years, and members had expected better in the current round. The speedier agreements that the new bargaining legislation promised have yet to appear as members in the PA group approach the one-year mark without a new contract. “I’m pleased that members at local 10362 are taking action around this issue and the employer’s push for more shift work” said National President Jeannette Meunier-McKay, “because they add strong voices to the chorus across the country for a fair contract—and one that’s reached sooner rather than later.”