Cabinet shuffle: An opportunity to improve public services and public service jobs

PSAC National President, Chris Aylward, congratulates the new members of the federal cabinet on their appointments earlier this week.

“Today I extend an invitation to all ministers, whether in a new role, new to cabinet or returning, to work with us to build and protect the public services in this country,” said Aylward. “Public sector workers are your employees. They are proud to be the members of your team who deliver public services to Canada and therefore bring the changes you make, forward possible.”

Over the coming weeks, PSAC will reach out to new ministers to establish a positive and productive working relationship going forward.

“I will be reaching out to ministers, beginning with the new President of the Treasury Board, Anita Anand,” said Aylward. “Several PSAC federal government bargaining units, including FBs who work for Canada Border Services Agency, Canadian Food Inspection Agency workers and other federal government employees, are still at the table or will begin negotiations in the near future.  We are hopeful that we can establish open communication and clear constructive dialogue going forward.”

PSAC will also be bringing the ongoing matters of the Black and Indigenous Class Action lawsuits and stalled pension entitlement changes for firefighters and border officers to President Anand.

We’ll be looking to incoming PSPC Minister, Jean-Yves Duclos, to work with us to finally end the Phoenix pay system debacle, to returning Labour Minister, Seamus O’Regan, to bring in the long-awaited anti-scab legislation and to incoming Minister of Crown-Indigenous Affairs, Gary Anandasangaree, to implement all recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

“We see this cabinet shuffle as an opportunity for the government and the union to improve working conditions and social justice for all in Canada,” concluded Aylward.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.