News

The Treasury Board provided the Local their initial list of designated positions.  These positions have been designated according to new rules established in last December?s omnibus budget Bill C-4 which give the employer ?? the exclusive right to determine whether any service, facility or activity ? is essential because it is or will be necessary for the safety or security of the public or a segment of the public ??  and ?the exclusive right to designate the positions in a bargaining unit that include duties that, in whole or in part, are or will be necessary for the employer to provide essential services??.

The notice begins a 60-day consultation in which the union can make representations to the employer regarding the necessity to designation certain positions.

Once the 60-day consultation period is over, the employer has 30 days to provide a final list of designated positions. Employees occupying designated positions are to be notified ?as soon as feasible?.

The Treasury Board?s list of designated positions confirms that our dispute resolution mechanism is conciliation-strike.  With ?only? 344 positions of approximately 1100 designated as essential means we are well below the 80% threshold for mandatory binding arbitration.

In the coming weeks, the Business Office will be meeting with Treasury Board officials as well as contacting shop stewards in affected department to gather more information about the designated positions and the need for the designation.

In solidarity,

Daniel J Boulet
Business Manager / Financial Secretar