News - March 2006                 Previous Month         Following Month

The headlines for current month's news items are listed immediately below. Click on the headline of your choice to see the entire text of the article.

National President seeks meeting with new Minister

to raise member concerns

National President warmly welcomes

new Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration members

Council approves lobby campaign on portability

of maternity/paternity benefits

Unresolved grievances will follow you into retirement

National President seeks meeting with new Minister to raise member concerns

(Posted March 17, 2006)

National President Yves Ducharme has written Chuck Strahl, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board in the newly-elected Conservative minority government, to request a meeting to discuss a number of issues of concern to Agriculture Union members.

The text of the letter is as follows:

March 16, 2006

Honourable Chuck Strahl
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

   and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board
House of Commons
Parliament Buildings
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6

Dear Minister Strahl:

          I write, first of all, to offer my congratulations on your appointment as Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board.

          The Agriculture Union is a component union of the Public Service Alliance of Canada. The great majority of our 9,000 members are employees of Departments and Agencies falling under your purview: Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada; the Canadian Food Inspection Agency; the Canadian Grain Commission; the Canadian Dairy Commission; the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency; and, the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration. As such, they are front-line defenders of public health, supporters of sustainable agriculture and guardians of a secure food chain.
           Our union prides itself on our tenacity in representing the interests of our members. Nonetheless, we have always sought a constructive, non-confrontational approach to labour-management issues. In that vein, I would hope that we might swiftly develop a productive and mutually-beneficial relationship.
Beyond these sincere best wishes, I do wish to stress that we have serious concerns regarding the operational efficiency of a number of Departments and Agencies within your portfolio. Indeed, over my many years of service, I have never seen such low morale amongst a skilled and professional workforce.
           Our relationship with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is, at best, troubled. The failure to consult over the implementation of the Public Service Modernization Act is characteristic of the approach by CFIA management to labour relations. As a further example, employee discontent with the shape and length of an ongoing classification review has generated an unprecedented five thousand grievances! In addition, we are – as conscientious public service workers – gravely concerned with CFIA’s limited crisis management capacity. Whether with BSE, or with the threat of avian influenza, the approach is ad hoc. Strategy is largely absent, and the Agency now relies on the availability of workers from other programs within CFIA to fulfill its mandate.
           Another matter of pressing concern is the current review of the Canadian Grain Act. The lack of permanent funding for the Canadian Grains Commission, the uncertain status of the ‘inward-outward’ inspection system and the future role of the Canadian Wheat Board in regard to the World Trade Organization are all important issues for our members. Again, we have found the response from management more than lacking.
           We in the Agriculture Union are more than willing to do our part to reverse these unproductive situations. Indeed, I wish to stress that our union has had a longstanding, open and constructive relationship with the management of Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada. We were very pleased to hear your comments in Western Canada concerning the possible closure of federal Research Stations. Your pledge to keep these stations open is proof positive to us of your commitment to agriculture in this country and to the employees working in those areas. It is our earnest hope that we can see this positive labour relations climate transferred to other more problematic employers within your portfolio.
           In order to translate good intentions into positive action, I am requesting a face-to-face meeting with you and your staff, at the earliest possible opportunity, to discuss these important issues in greater depth. My staff will be contacting your office in the days ahead to arrange such a meeting.
           Mr. Minister, you come to your Cabinet post with a Parliamentary reputation for thoughtfulness and moderation. You can be assured that I approach our meeting with a similar frame of mind.
           In conclusion, may I again wish you the very best during your tenure as Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board.

Sincerely,

Yves Ducharme
National President

Agriculture Union

National President warmly welcomes new Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration members

(Posted March 9, 2006)

National President Yves Ducharme has sent individual letters of welcome to new Agriculture Union members, employees of the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration. The PFRA workers were formerly members of the National Component, another member union of our bargaining agent, the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

The PFRA has worked to support rural Prairie communities for more than 60 years, helping ensure the sustainability of soil and water resources in a region that faces many climatic and economic challenges. The Administration’s traditional focus is on Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Peace River region of British Columbia, where it serves over 30,000 clients a year through a network of offices.

However, the former Liberal government had actively considered turning the PFRA into a national body better able to share its expertise with other regions of the country. As a result, a small number of Administration staff are based in other provinces, where they are engaged in pilot projects with local partners.

”You will swiftly discover that your new union both understands and respects your work, your concerns and your goals,” Ducharme wrote in part. “Like you, the Agriculture Union shares a commitment to ensuring the safety and sustainability of Canada’s agricultural resources.

”As Agriculture Union members, you will find yourselves a vital part of a progressive and proactive organization. A union firmly in the hands of its rank-and-file activists and members. A union willing and able to fight for its members and the important public services they provide.

“We are proud to have you as part of our ‘family’.”

Anyone interested in the work of our new members can find a link to the PFRA Web site HERE.

Council approves lobby campaign on portability of maternity/paternity benefits

(Posted March 7, 2006)

The Agriculture Union’s National Council is urging all members to contact their local Member of Parliament to end the discriminatory practice of denying portability of maternity/paternity benefits between Treasury Board (TB) employers and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

The Council gave the green light to a lobby campaign based on an emergency resolution adopted at last summer’s Triennial National Convention.

The issue came to light when a TB member competed for and accepted a higher position with CFIA. The member had returned from maternity leave and did not complete all her service with TB before moving to the Agency. However, there was no interruption in employment. Nonetheless, her TB employer is demanding repayment of thousands of dollars in maternity leave top-up

The recently-implemented Public Service Labour Relations Act states that employees of separate employers are to be treated equally to employees of Treasury Board employers in staffing matters.

When members transfer back and forth between TB employers and the CFIA, they bring over their annual leave credits, pension benefits, sick leave credits, health benefits, et cetera.

So, why are maternity/paternity benefits specifically excluded? This benefit is overwhelmingly used by women. It is yet another gender-based barrier that makes a mockery of their declared commitment to equity.

The Agriculture Union intends to submit the issue of portability of maternity/paternity leave benefits between Treasury Board and separate employers as a bargaining demand for the next round of negotiations with both TB and the CFIA.

However, we need to address this issue now. So, look for our information bulletin providing talking points to use when contacting your MP. Discrimination in any form is unacceptable. Please make your voice heard!

For more details, please contact your Regional Equal Opportunities Representative.

Unresolved grievances will follow you into retirement

(Posted March 1, 2006)

“I’m retiring in a few months, and I still have an outstanding grievance. Will my grievance stand even after I leave the government?”

That’s a question we often get from members. They are legitimately concerned with losing the benefits of individual or group grievances affecting pay or classification that are only resolved after they retire.

The answer to the above question is ‘yes’, your rights do not lapse upon retirement.

However, to safeguard those rights, it is critical that you inform the employer of any and all address changes after your retirement.

The bottom line is, happily, this is one case where you can indeed take it with you!