Kativik Regional Government - Negotiate in Good Faith!

MONTREAL, Dec. 5, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - The Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN) urges the Kativik Regional Government (KRG) to negotiate seriously and in good faith to reach an agreement with the Kativik Regional Government Employees Union (KRGEU).

After three years of difficult negotiations and much frustration, the KRG must understand its employees as indispensable partners for the effective governance of the Nunavik region.

"We have before us at the negotiation table an employer who, by far, prefers legal measures to normal processes of negotiation. They are using every possible delaying tactic to attempt, in vain, to weaken the union rather than sit down to discuss matters," said Caroline Senneville, CSN Vice-President.

Strike Vote

Adding insult to injury, the KRG has requested the withdrawal, from the next collective agreement, of a letter of agreement permitting the organization to attract and retain a skilled workforce.

"This measure of attraction and retention of the workforce, which has existed since 2008, has proved its worth in the matter of service to population. Ending it would mean $ 5,000 to $ 10,000 in salary losses annually for our members. How can an employer demand such a pay cut for many of its employees who are dedicated to the community? " asked Nathalie Arguin, President of the Fédération des employées et employés de services publics (FEESP–CSN).

Confronted with such stubbornness, on November 26 the KRGEU voted in favour of six days of strike action, with 93% in favour, to be used at an appropriate moment.

A conciliation meeting is scheduled for today, before the Tribunal administratif du travail (TAT) reviews the issue of essential services in preparation for the first day of the strike.

"We hope that the KRG will be in a better mindset for discussion. It is their responsibility to ensure that Inuit have access to the best services possible, and in order to do this, they need to reconcile with their employees without delay," stated Dominique Daigneault, President of the Conseil central du Montréal métropolitain–CSN (CCMM-CSN), which also represents the interest of KRGEU.

About the Union

The Kativik Regional Government Employees Union (KRGEU) represents more than 250 members in 14 communities throughout the Nunavik region, from Kuujjuaq to Salluit. The union's members work in a diverse range of jobs, from maintenance and support staff to professionals. The KRGEU is affiliated with the Fédération des employées et employés de services publics (FEESP–CSN), which has more than 425 affiliated unions representing approximately 60,000 members working in the field of public and para-public services. The CCMM-CSN brings together nearly 100,000 public and private sector members of unions in Montreal, Laval, Nunavik and James Bay.

SOURCE Fédération des employées et employés de services publics (FEESP-CSN)

Dave Parent, Communication Advisor, CSN, [email protected], Cell: 514-966-2827