News Labour Relations
Ottawa files complaint with labour board, says PSAC isn’t bargaining in good faith

The federal government has accused the Public Service Alliance of Canada of breaching its duty to bargain in good faith.

Ottawa filed a complaint on Jan. 13 with the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board (FPSLREB) against the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) for breaching its duty to bargain in good faith, according to a press release from the Treasury Board Secretariat.

“The Government of Canada has been clear in its commitment to achieving a positive outcome at the bargaining table for the employees within the Program and Administrative Services (PA), Technical Services (TC), Education and Library Science (EB), and Operational Services (SV) groups,” it said. “The PSAC, on the other hand, has demonstrated unwillingness to reach agreements during this round of negotiations.”

From the start of negotiations in June 2021, PSAC has flooded the bargaining tables with costly proposals — over 500 across its five bargaining units, it said.

“At the same time, they have refused to prioritize their requests, refused to move on their initial proposals, and did not respond to the employer’s comprehensive offers,” it said.

It pointed out that it supported the establishment of Public Interest Commissions (PIC) and the appointment of a mediator as a constructive step to advance negotiations.

“Throughout the PIC hearings, the PSAC again failed to make reasonable efforts to reach agreements,” it said. “And before any of the Commission’s reports have been rendered, PSAC announced that they will hold strike votes regardless of the PIC recommendations. It is clear that the PSAC is seeking to precipitate a strike without making every reasonable effort to enter into a collective agreement.”