Updates

A House of Commons Special Committee on Pay Equity is recommending a new proactive federal law for public and private sector workers.

“We are very pleased with the Committee’s report – It’s Time to Act  recommending the government accept the overall direction of the 2004 Federal Pay Equity Task Force report and adopt the majority of its recommendations,” said PSAC national president Robyn Benson.

The Committee recognized the current law isn’t working for either employees or employers. It also recognized the role of unions in the pay equity process.

In her presentation to the Special Committee, Benson highlighted PSAC’s almost 40-year history of successful pay equity complaints in spite of long delays and stubborn resistance by employers. The recent victory for members at Statistical Survey Operations took almost 15 years to achieve.

In the face of a looming court date, the Liberal government has finally set in place interim measures to suspend application of unconstitutional legislation to current collective agreement talks.

Letter from Minister Scott Brison 

Minister Scott Brison issued a letter at the eleventh hour before government lawyers would have been required to appear in court. The letter commits to restoring rights to dispute resolution mechanisms, essential services, the constitutionally protected right to strike and allowing a fair consideration of all factors and issues relevant to collective bargaining.

People with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) can suffer debilitating physical symptoms when exposed to chemicals in the environment that have no effect on most people.

Check out the video. 

PSAC welcomed the release of a second report by the Joint Task Force on Mental Health today. The task force, made up of an equal number of union and employer representatives, has a long-term focus of improving mental health in the workplace. The second report provides specific direction to federal public service organizations in key areas to help guide these efforts.