July 11, 2008
PSAC Statement of Solidarity
PSAC stands in solidarity with the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) and their member Luc Pomerleau, who was fired from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for performing his responsibilities as a union steward. Pomerleau's firing came after he alerted his union about upcoming changes that will significantly affect his workplace, the work of PSAC members, and potentially damage public safety.
CFIA management had authorized the digital conversion of a Treasury Board document concerning new food inspection methods and the delegation of inspection authority to industry. It was proposed as part of Treasury Board's strategic programs review aimed at forcing departments and agencies to recover 5% of their operating budgets. Not treated as confidential, the document was saved on CFIA's computer network on the shared drive with the result that it was accessible to any employee.
Pomerleau's actions were entirely appropriate; he passed on a document that was easily accessible on CFIA's electronic network to his union, recognizing that the potential deregulation of food safety standards would have a huge impact on both workers at CFIA and the Canadian public.
“This heavy-handed response by CFIA looks like intimidation; preventing workers and elected union representatives from reporting workplace issues that could be harmful to their collective well-being, and undermining the union's legal obligations to protect those members” said PSAC National President John Gordon. “PSAC supports PIPSC and Brother Luc Pomerleau in standing up for workers and Canadians”.
CFIA has an obligation to discuss workplace issues with the union as early as possible after decisions are taken. Union officials should not be disciplined for initiating the discussion. Pomerleau's firing only contributes to the secrecy and lack of transparency that is becoming more and more common in the federal public service.
Representing approximately 5,000 workers at CFIA, PSAC has over 165,000 members nationally who provide quality public services to Canadians.
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Date Modified : 2008/07/16
Public Service Alliance of Canada | 233, Gilmour Street, Ottawa, ONTARIO CANADA, K2P 0P1, Tel.: 1 888 604-7722 (PSAC)