The rotating strikes by more than 1,300 Canadian diplomats have been going for about four months, and it is beginning to hurt ordinary people, and potentially, the country’s economic well-being.
This is one diplomatic spat over pay parity that we can no longer afford, and the time has come to find a resolution.
The strike began over demands by the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers, which says its members are being paid between $3,000 and $14,000 less than other federal public servants doing the same work. According to the union, addressing its demands would cost about $4.2 million a year, and the government has apparently made an offer which PAFSO has rejected.
When students can’t get visas to come to Canada and study, and when tourists wanting to come to Canada and spend money are getting frustrated with long lineups to get travel documents, it is time for all to take a deep breath and think about the impact of this strike. The tourism association has warned the strike could cost the industry $280 million this year, and Canada’s colleges and universities fear it will keep thousands of international students away this fall.
There are even suggestions the strike may be affecting important trade talks.
Now PAFSO has offered binding arbitration to the government and set a Tuesday deadline for it to accept.
Arbitration has a tendency to offer settlements that government institutions can’t afford, but it has its place as the lesser evil in some circumstances. The diplomatic corps is not an essential service, but when many people are being affected by this strike the way they are now, the government should strongly consider accepting the offer of arbitration.
Let’s end this strife now.
Ottawa Citizen
© Copyright (c) Ottawa Citizen
don't worry all u guys gonna get it soon now...
