Halifax, NS – Collective bargaining has broken down between Commissionaires Nova Scotia and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) Local 80375 the union representing over 80 Commissionaires at Halifax Harbour Bridges and Halifax Regional Police Headquarters. Time is running out as these workers approach their May 31 legal Strike/Lockout deadline, and they are taking their demands for a fair contract to the streets.
At 7am, Monday May 27, workers and their allies will hold an action in the public areas surrounding the Dartmouth entrance to the Macdonald Bridge in order to bring attention to their fight for a fair contract before they return for one final conciliation session on May 28.
Two significant issues are outstanding at the bargaining table - a benefits package and wages. On April 1, 2019, Commissionaires Nova Scotia introduced a new comprehensive health and dental benefits package for its non-unionized employees, explicitly excluding workers represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada. The employer continues to fail to agree to provide these benefits at the table. The employer has also refused to move on its wage offer of a 10 cent per hour increase in the first year of the agreement and 15 cents in the second. For these workers whose wages are a far cry from a living wage, this is not something the members are willing to accept.
“The clock is ticking for this employer to truly demonstrate that it knows the value of a veteran,” says Colleen Coffey PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President, referring to the Corps of Commissionaires www.beyondservice.ca campaign. Many commissionaires are veterans of the Canadian military and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. “10 cents is not enough for those who served.”
The PSAC is also calling on the public to send a letter to Commissionaires Nova Scotia CEO Geoffrey Hamilton by visiting www.valueofaveteran.org.
What: Commissionaires Mobilize for a Fair Contract
When: 7am, Monday, May 27, 2019
Where: Halifax Transit Bridge Terminal, Parking lot near Nantucket and Wyse Rd.
Media are invited.
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For further information contact: Lesley Thompson, Regional Political Communications Officer, PSAC, 902.219.4809, thompsonl@psac-afpc.com
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