February 16, 2009

I am taking this opportunity to summarize the status of collective bargaining for all RCEA groups. 

Notice to bargain for all groups were submitted on the following dates:

Technical (TO) - January 25, 2007
Operational (OP) - July 5, 2007
Purchasing and Supply (PG) – January 30, 2007
Administrative Support (AD - March 4, 2008
Administrative Services (AS) - March 4, 2008
Computer Systems Administration (CS) - November 7, 2007

TO Category:

1. Call for members interested in participating on the bargaining committee went out in January 2007.
2. The first meeting was held in May 2007 to select the Group Chairperson.
3. Bargaining demands for the TO’s were submitted in November 2007.
4. Bargaining took place on October 1 and 2 and resumed on October 28 and 29, 2008, but broke-off due to impasses on a number of issues.
5. On November 27, 2008, after attempting to engage in meaningful discussions with NRC on the final offers, the RCEA management committee and representatives of all bargaining committees, decided to decline these offers.

Details of the final offers can be found on the website under Category News. On November 27, 2008, the Government did announce the imposition of the very same wage controls as in the Final Offers. This was short-lived as the House of Commons was prorogued until January 2009.  A meeting with the NRC was held on December 21st, 2008 to discuss next steps.  The RCEA was advised that nothing had changed since the Final Offers. It was then decided that, in the best interests of the membership, we would wait to see what was contained in the upcoming budget.

The TO Bargaining Committee met on January 29th, 2009 to discuss the implications of the Federal Budget and next steps.  On Friday, February 7, the Conservative government introduced an omnibus bill (Bill C-10) to implement the provisions of the budget.  In the February bargaining update you will find the details of the implications of this Legislation.  While Bill C-10 has yet to be passed, we have asked NRC to return to the bargaining table.  We are presently waiting for a response.

OP Group - Several meetings of the bargaining committee were held to prepare bargaining demands, which were submitted in March, 2008. 

PG Group - Demands were submitted May 2008.  

AD, AS and CS Groups - Bargaining committees remain to be finalized.  No demands have been prepared or submitted at this time.

We do not anticipate significant changes to the proposed legislation.  Bill C-10 places significant restrictions on what can be achieved at the bargaining table or through arbitration.  We will be attempting to move the process along for all the remaining groups as soon as possible.

As always, I do appreciate receiving your thoughts and comments.

Serge Croteau
President