Government scientists permitted to meet with union at workplace
OTTAWA — Environment Canada has changed its rules and will allow scientists to meet with their union at the workplace to discuss collective bargaining — as long as it not related to strike or job action.
The department notified the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, which represents federal scientists across government, that it has revised its guidelines for union activities and will allow PIPSC to hold meetings at the department’s offices.
The union must give the department at least five days’ notice and a copy of its agenda when booking a room for a meeting.
Last week, PIPSC president Debi Daviau led scientists, who claim they have been muzzled by the Conservative government, in a string of outdoor protests at labs and science-based departments across the country, saying it was largely because the union could no longer get inside to meet with members as it once did.
“This is an important victory but it’s one we should not have had to fight for,” said Daviau.
The change of heart doesn’t seem to have extended across government. PIPSC said Heath Canada has since cancelled a union meeting that was previously scheduled on-site.
PIPSC represents more than 15,000 scientists, researchers and engineers across government and scientists’ right to speak publicly about their work has been a big issue for the union.
The union came to the table in this current round of collective bargaining with an unconventional package of proposals that would embed “scientific integrity” in scientists’ contracts and stop the government from what PIPSC says is meddling in their work.
A key proposal is the “right to speak” and PIPSC is seeking a clause guarantying scientists the right to express their personal views while making clear they don’t speak for government. Another big demand is professional development, allowing scientists to attend meetings, conferences and courses to maintain their professional standards.
Daviau said it was frustrating that the union couldn’t get access in the workplace to its members to update them on collective bargaining. Some private businesses also do not allow union meetings in the workplace.
PIPSC said it used to have regular on-site noon meetings at Environment Canada’s Gatineau, Que., office, but that long-standing practice was reversed in this round of bargaining and the union was unable to book a room for meetings with employees. It claims it was similarly denied access at Environment offices in Burlington, Ont., and Dorval, Que., National Defence in Montreal, the National Research Council in Ottawa and Health Canada’s Ottawa headquarters.
Treasury Board policy leaves it up to management to decide who can use the premises on a “case by case” basis.
With the revised guidelines, unions can use Environment Canada’s facilities for joint consultation, annual general meetings; election of union officials; and updates on collective bargaining. Meetings called to discuss a strike, a strike vote or job action will not be allowed on-site.
And management’s approval for the meeting will depend on the availability of space.
Unions can’t use a department’s facilities for desk drops; set up tables or kiosks in the hall; use the email network for a strike vote or any kind of job action; or hang anything that could damage federal property.