Government of Canada Professionals Demonstrate

Market Wire, October, 2008

The professional employees employed by the government of Canada and represented by the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada will rally in front of the Canada Revenue Agency office located at 1557 Hollis Avenue in downtown Halifax at noon on Friday, October 24, to denounce their employer's inertia at the bargaining table. These employees, many of whom who have been without a contract for more than a year, will send a clear message to their employer that it's time for action and meaningful bargaining.

"Frustration is rampant among our members as they've faced a brick wall at the bargaining table for months, says PIPSC spokesperson Vice-President Helene Rogers. It is unacceptable that our members have had to tolerate cancelled bargaining sessions and unprepared employer negotiators who have as their sole mandate to correct commas and who are unable to provide meaningful monetary and non-monetary proposals. It is no wonder our members are taking to the streets to demonstrate their frustration. Up until now Prime Minister Harper's government has shown little respect for its employees. Perhaps his new minority government will be more inclined to deal respectfully with its employees."

Members picketing today represent a large cross-section of professional employees from different government departments in Halifax and from other provinces who are attending an Atlantic regional meeting this weekend. Computer systems professionals, researchers, scientists, auditors, nurses, engineers, and psychologists are some of the members protesting today who have been without a collective agreement for several months.

Adds PIPSC Vice-President, Helene Rogers, "The government of Canada is facing a recruitment crunch with the retirement of baby boomers. The longer the employer takes to settle negotiations, the longer it takes for recruitment of new employees. At Revenue Canada, for example, the shortage of federal auditors translates into a substantial loss of revenue as large corporations are not being audited and the government is losing millions of dollars from uncollected taxes. Canadians should be outraged by this situation."

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada represents 55,000 professionals and scientists of whom 1,555 work in the Halifax area for a total of 4,200 in PIPSC members in the Atlantic Region.

Contacts: Chantal Lecours 613-228-6310 , extension 2229 613-864-4368 (cell)