After 3 months of battling COVID-19, which put our negotiations on hold, your bargaining committee returned to the table on June 16, 17, and 18. In Ottawa, we met with Treasury Board representatives for three days and then with the Correctional Service of Canada, to negotiate the Global Agreement, on Friday the 19th.
Given the economic impact of COVID-19, both parties recognize that reaching a settlement quickly would benefit both sides, especially since there is still the threat of a second wave of the virus. From the outset, both parties took time to specify their priorities, in good faith dialogue, answering questions in detail. Even though we are aiming to reach a quick settlement, there were lines drawn in the sand on some of the employer’s regressive demands. When the employer indicated that it would like to open Appendix K (scheduling), we were clear: we will not tolerate any negative changes to our schedules.
The parties have agreed to continue negotiations throughout the summer. We will negotiate the Global Agreement with CSC on July 3, August 14, and August 18. Our sessions with the Treasury Board will take place on July 28, 29, and 30, and on August 10, 11, and 12.
Stay tuned!
Let’s increase our visibility!
The two priorities of our targeted negotiation strategy are simple: A better vacation leave regime, a decent wage increase.
The employer must recognize the nature of our work is unique. Our job as first responders, in the realm of Public Safety places us at greater risk for both physical and mental injury, and we need more time to decompress from it. We deserve a better vacation leave regime.
Today, UCCO-SACC-CSN is distributing a postcard that refers to our vacation leave demand. Using the magnet provided, we invite you to display this postcard in your locker or anywhere else where it would be visible. The goal is to clearly display and publicize our demand so that everyone will know that we are ready to fight in order to have an additional week of vacation leave after 6, 12, and 18 years of service.
Display it proudly and keep it safe—it may be used to send a clear message to the employer when the time is right.