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An uneventful Public Interest Commission (PIC) report has suggested the fate of 5,800 Parks Canada workers is tied to PSAC’s largest bargaining unit – the PA group.
The recently published report unfortunately made little to no recommendations, instead it draws a parallel between the Parks bargaining table and PSAC’s PA bargaining table. The report quotes directly from the PA PIC report, and states that without the major common issues being resolved, such as Phoenix compensation and higher wage increases, the parties will find it difficult to reach a tentative agreement.
PSAC is disappointed that the PIC did not explicitly make specific recommendations on key Parks issues such as:
- parity with the core public service;
- Phoenix pay protections and remedies;
- a competitive wage increase;
- fair compensation for Park Wardens;
- work life balance initiatives, such as improved maternity and parental leave;
- protections in the workplace; and
- fairness for seasonal and term workers.
However, the PIC did acknowledge the struggle Parks Canada workers have had in achieving parity with the core public service since Parks was made a separate agency nearly 20 years ago. The report suggests parity with the core is an issue that will need to be addressed if the Parks Canada Agency hopes to reach an agreement with Parks members.
Next steps
Although National President Chris Aylward has authorized strike votes for the Parks bargaining unit, all strike votes are currently suspended until March 30. At that time the union will re-evaluate whether to continue the suspension or resume the strike votes.
Despite the suspension of votes, PSAC will continue to bargain for all units currently in negotiations.
We will be updating our national and regional websites, social media, as well as sending information by email as the situation develops. We encourage all our members to check these resources regularly and subscribe to our mailing list.
