http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/04/05/canada-foreign-service-job-action-diplomats_n_3022131.html
http://www.labour-reporter.com/articleview/18034-foreign-service-officers-walk-off-the-job
http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1169105/media-advisory-canada-s-professional-association-of-foreign-service-officers-announce-immediate-withdrawal-of-services-at-key-international-posts-and-
Media advisory - Canada's Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers announce immediate withdrawal of services at key international posts and at Headquarters
OTTAWA, May 21, 2013 /CNW/ - As part of ongoing efforts to bring Treasury Board back to the negotiating table, Canada's Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO) will withdraw services in a number of international locations and at Headquarters in Ottawa, effective immediately.
The interruption of services will take place at the following locations: London (immigration section), Buenos Aires, Santiago, and at HQ in the International Economic Relations & Summits Division, Treaty Law Division, North America Bureau, North America Policy & Relations Division, Director General for Africa, Eastern & Southern Africa Relations Division.
Canada's Foreign Service Officers are in a legal strike position and will be maintaining pressure on the government headquarters until Treasury Board returns to the negotiating table for a substantive and genuine discussion on addressing the pay inequities Today's announcement is the next step in a series of coordinated activities to take place this Spring including 'Information Pickets' held in Ottawa, Washington DC, London and Mexico City. PAFSO members are in the midst work-to-rule campaign both at headquarters and at foreign posts.
The primary issue at hand is PAFSO's request for equal pay for equal work. Specifically, the union is seeking wage adjustments to keep Foreign Service Officer pay in line with comparable occupational groups. Canada's Foreign Service Officers help create Canadian jobs and build prosperity by providing critical support for Canadian businesses and promoting Canadian values abroad, in addition to being critical link to the smooth operation of Canada's immigration system.
PAFSO representatives will be available for comment and can be booked for.
Who: Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO), Canada's Foreign Service Officer union.
What: PAFSO is announcing the withdrawal of services in posts in key international locations and at Headquarters in Ottawa.
Where: London (immigration section)
Buenos Aires
Santiago
International Economic Relations & Summits Division (HQ)
Treaty Law Division (HQ)
North America Bureau (HQ)
North America Policy & Relations Division (HQ)
Director General for Africa (HQ)
Eastern & Southern Africa Relations Division (HQ)
When: Effective immediately
Why: The primary issue at hand is PAFSO's request for equal pay for equal work. Specifically, the union is seeking wage adjustments to keep Foreign Service Officer pay in line with comparable occupational groups. "We will continue rotating withdrawals of service at key missions abroad and units at headquarters until Treasury Board returns to the negotiating table for a substantive and genuine discussion on addressing the pay inequities to which Canadian diplomats are subjected." (Tim Edwards, President, PAFSO.)
SOURCE: Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO)
For further information:
Frederic Fournier
media @ pafso-apase.com
613-790-5402
