Our bargaining agent, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, is asking Agriculture Union members to join a public-service-wide ‘Day of Action’ on June 8 to convince the Treasury Board and its political masters to negotiate new collective agreements.

Bargaining teams for our members under Treasury Board and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have met with employer representatives a number of times since the Liberals came to power. Despite campaign commitments to change the labour relations environment, the view from the bargaining table has not much changed.

The new Liberal government promised respect for federal public service employees. It said it would do things differently than the former Conservative government. Yet, it has been more than six months since the Liberals were elected and no meaningful bargaining progress has been made.

Treasury Board negotiators are still pushing the Conservatives’ proposal to replace current sick leave with a short term disability plan. They have proposed the same 0.5 per cent per year wage increase – which fails to reflect the cost of living and fair wage increases.

So it’s important that we send a strong message on June 8: that we expect a fair contract. Together, with members of all federal unions, we can show the Liberal government we expect it to live up to its promise of change.

Agriculture Union Locals are asked to contact their respective PSAC Regional Offices to coordinate ‘Day of Action’ activities.  Individual members can visit psacunion.ca and sign up to receive more information about June 8.