WE anticipated that bargaining would resume in September, however the uncertainty surrounding the situation in the Public Service has delayed matters. The conciliation board report for PSAC Table 2 was released on September 10, 2004. It failed to address most of the important outstanding issues and certainly did not provide a foundation for further bargaining. Table 2 members are now on strike. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE RCEA??? Table 2 members will be striking primarily over pay and the wage gap identified in the Table 2 Joint Pay Study. These issues also directly affect the OP Group. While we could likely go back to the bargaining table with NRC, it is unlikely that they will be able to deal with these wage gap issues. It is recommended, therefore, that we wait until at least October to resume bargaining. We should have a better idea by then of how some of these issues are being resolved.
Workforce Adjustment Policy: The Workforce Adjustment Policy is a joint document that deals with what happens in the event of job cuts. It covers the identification of surplus employees, the marketing of surplus employees, the rights and obligations of surplus employees and the benefits available. The last policy was negotiated almost 10 years ago. Two years ago, the RCEA and PIPS jointly prepared demands and recommendations for a review of the Policy. That review, with NRC, was completed on July 5, 2004. Significant changes have been agreed upon and the new policy will now form part of all collective agreements. The new policy should be signed and implemented shortly. If you have any questions, please call the RCEA office.