Monday, January 19, 2009

Harper, a new reason for strong unions

The CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) will be voting on a new contract today. The union for the agency whose purpose it is to protect our sources of food, has played a leading role as whistle blower about the Harper government’s secretive deregulation of Canadian safety standards.

The offer averaging under 2% a year, over four years was negotiated directly by the PMO (Prime Minister’s Office) in November just prior to the return of parliament.
"The bargaining process was controlled directly from the Prime Minister's Office. We were told we had until 12 noon on the Wednesday to accept the agreement, otherwise when the prime minister's economic statement came down, it was going to be legislated anyway," said Paynter.

"Of course we all know now in hindsight what happened. The prime minister dissolved Parliament and the threats that were made, aren't in fact implemented.
"
Apparently in Harpers Canada, if you upset the Prime Minister's plans, his office will directly try to screw you.


JAWL


References: CBC about vote here and Globe about deregulation here.

No comments: