Negotiations for a new collective agreement for Agriculture Union members employed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency continue to move forward ever so slowly.
Our bargaining team held its latest round of contract talks with the employer in Ottawa on September 19 to 22.
The week’s hard work did produce one important breakthrough: CFIA management withdrew a number of serious contract concessions it was demanding under its infamous ‘Agency Transformation – Building for the Future’ agenda.
Our team also tabled the memorandum of agreement regarding incentives to compensation advisors reached August 25 between our bargaining agent, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, and Treasury Board. We also tabled a revised proposal on the Joint Learning Program.
The two sides addressed all other outstanding issues and agreed to focus on a number of priority areas.
While CFIA negotiations have been long and challenging, our bargaining team remains fully engaged and is optimistic that a contract settlement is within sight.
Talks resume in Ottawa on October 16 to 20. As always, we will be sure to keep our CFIA members fully informed as they progress.