Published on 26/07/2013 - 5:00pm
Canadian diplomats reject arbitration and paralyzed conditions immigration work from Monday
Negotiations were again chock between the Federal Government and diplomatic workers Canada . Starting Monday paralyzed activities in various parts of the country.
PAFSO / APase , the union representing more than 1,300 workers diplomats in the country announced Friday its rejection of the position taken by the Office of Treasury about the invitation to resolve the dispute through arbitration.
Both sides have been negotiating a new collective agreement for several years. The union claims that its workers earn on average between $ 3,000 and $ 14,000 per year less than other public workers with similar qualifications.
But the Federal Government says that the proposal is fair for several months.
The union proposed to resolve the dispute through an arbitrator, to which Ottawa responded positively, but subject to certain conditions , which is unacceptable to PAFSO / APase.
So starting Monday indefinitely paralyze their activities in 15 embassies and consulates that process visas to come to the country. These are: Mexico City, Abu Dhabi, Ankara, Cairo, New Delhi / Chandigarh, Hong Kong, London, Manila, Moscow, Paris, Riyadh, Sao Paulo and Shanghai.
Qualifying this decision as a measure to "persuade the Government to arbitration is being responsibly to resolve the conflict. "
This stoppage will worsen the situation for thousands of people waiting for their visas, from tourists, students and even immigrants who wait for permanent residence. The stoppages, rotating far, and have generated long waits and have overloaded the system .
"We placental these measures strike and its real and severe impact on the Canadian economy , but at this point it should be clear to all Canadians that the Government of Canada currently has the entire responsibility for these impacts, "says a statement of the union.
"PAFSO / APase encourages all individuals, businesses and industries that suffer the consequences of this dispute to intervene with the government and urge them to negotiate freely and flexibly with their own employees," the statement sent to the media.
An explanation of the problem
Earlier this week the Federal Government had accepted the union's proposal to resolve the dispute through an arbitrator . However, introduced a number of conditions for which arbitration is carried forward.
For example, asked that the increases proposed by the referee did not move from the margins " fair "that considers the government, ranging from 1.5% for each of the first three years . Similarly the amounts limited by "voluntary redundancy", in the case of resignations or retirements.
It also limited the ability of the union to compare their situation with other federal workers , considering that under the laws of this comparison is not possible, since certain factors are unique diplomatic workers.
It also asked the workers to immediately return to duty while conducting the arbitration process.
The union rejected most of these conditions, especially those that allow workers to compare their work with other Canadian government workers as a way to justify higher wages.
However, accepted patterned increases to 1.5% despite that qualify under the country's economic situation and inflation.
"Two of the preconditions of the Treasury Office were so crippling that its acceptance would have predetermined the outcome of arbitration in favor of the government and have denied the meaning and integrity of the process , "says PAFSO / APase.
Remains to be seen what the government's position before this new strike. The Federal Government has the option to introduce back to work legislation to force the return to work. Francois Fournier, union spokesman told News Montreal a few days ago that in such a scenario would have to respect the law, "but we hope you do not have to come to that."
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