The first part of the CS Public Interest Commission (PIC) hearing took place on June 22 and 23, 2020. The PIC is a three-person panel – the union and the employer each have a representative present with an agreed-upon chairperson. The panel hears arguments from both sides and will make recommendations for an agreement based on five criteria set in the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act.
After two days of hearings, the PIC chair decided it would be best to continue hearing from both parties. A new session has been tentatively set for July 16, 2020.
Your bargaining team went to PIC with a strong case to defend members' priorities. We also went ready to work out a deal with the employer.
However, the employer did not come to the PIC with the same intentions. The employer offered a pay increase of 5.6% over 3 years that fell short of the 8% over 4 years that other PIPSC groups received. They also want to reduce the protection against contracting out. After 3 years of failing to take action to reduce the abuse of contracting out, they now want to just forget about the problem.
We will fight against this offer.
It was clear that the employer was distracted during the PIC by Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) negotiations as they showed little interest in reaching an agreement with us.
When we return to the PIC in July, we will be once again ready to work on an agreement and ready to fight any unfair deal offered by the employer.
Read the full report from CS Group Bargaining Officer, Robert Tellier.