THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND THE PUBLIC SERVICE ALLIANCE OF CANADA INITIATE
EARLY EXPLORATORY DISCUSSIONS

OTTAWA, Sept. 15 /CNW/ - The Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today issued the following statement on early exploratory discussions between his officials and the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

"I am pleased that the Public Service Alliance of Canada, led by its President, Mr. John Gordon, has agreed to engage in exploratory discussions with my officials with a view to establishing the parameters of collective agreements.

While Canada has fared better than most countries, our recovery from the global economic downturn remains fragile.  In this period of fiscal restraint, I believe early discussions between bargaining agents and the employer are important to achieving financial predictability for the Government as well as certainty for employees."

IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL.

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This news release is available online at www.tbs-sct.gc.ca.

For further information:

Mélisa Leclerc Director of Communications Office of the President of the Treasury Board 613-952-5051

Media Relations Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat 613-957-264