Government ‘bargaining directly’ with PSAC
PSAC argues that by offering separation packages directly to employees to reduce headcount, the employer is “bargaining directly with PSAC members on terms and conditions of employment” and “circumventing” the workforce adjustment provisions embedded in collective agreements. The union characterises this as “interference” with its statutory role and says it has been excluded from the design and rollout of the program.
In its complaint, the union states that it has been “left with no way to explain to its members how the program will be rolled out or implemented in conjunction with the existing workforce adjustment process.” It further alleges that “by placing the Union in this position, [the government] is actively undermining its role as a bargaining agent and causing members to perceive the Union as uninformed and ineffective.”
PSAC also contends that the early retirement incentive “has the same objectives and general design” as the workforce adjustment regime negotiated into collective agreements and says the government is breaching its duty to maintain existing terms and conditions of employment while collective bargaining is underway for certain groups.
Lawyers warn of limited information for employees
Labour lawyer Marc Boudreau, who reviewed the complaints, told CBC the announcement of the program likely “shocked” the union and that PSAC “has been sidelined” and “is losing face a bit” as a result. He added that the government “doesn’t seem to know where it’s going with this program either,” with full details expected only once the federal budget receives royal assent, according to CBC.
To support its case, PSAC has filed its current bargaining proposals on workforce adjustment, including a call to increase the education allowance for affected employees from $17,000 to $25,000.