Federal public sector workers gather during National Public Service Week to protest Bill C-59, demand respect from federal government

VANCOUVER, June 18, 2015 /CNW/ - Members of the three largest unions in the federal government, the Public Service Alliance of Canada; the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada; and Canadian Association of Professional Employees, will gather to rally on Friday, June 19^th, 12PM at Library Square in Vancouver.

Federal workers across Canada have been holding actions during National Public Service Week, calling on the government to respect the constitutional rights of federal employees.

Date: Friday June 19, 2015
Time: 12PM to 1PM
Location: Library Square, 300 West Georgia St., Vancouver

Speakers:

• Fin Donnelly, MP for New Westminster–Coquitlam & Port Moody
• Shirley Friesen, Vice-President, Professional Institute of the Public Service
• Marco Angeli, National President, Canada Employment & Immigration Union
• Garth Mullins, President, Canadian Association of Professional Employees Local 301
• Bob Jackson, Regional Executive Vice-President, Public Service Alliance of Canada
• Aaron Ekman, Secretary-Treasurer, BC Federation of Labour

Bill C-59, the federal Budget Implementation Act, authorizes Treasury Board to modify collective agreements outside of the bargaining process and undermines the current round of collective bargaining.

"We're rallying together on Friday because the federal Conservative government introduced a law—Bill C-59—that takes away our constitutional rights of freedom of association, and free collective bargaining," says Bob Jackson, PSAC's Regional Executive Vice President for BC, "Bill C-59 is unfair, undemocratic, and it's a violation of our Charter right to a fair collective bargaining process."

"Together, federal government workers will send a message to our employer and to the Conservative government." he continues, "We work hard, providing the services Canadians need and deserve. The government must respect our Charter rights, respect the work that we do, and negotiate with us in good faith."

SOURCE Public Service Alliance of Canada

Patrick Bragg, PSAC Communications, cell: [phone]