PSAC and the Parks Canada Agency have signed the new collective agreement eight weeks after it was ratified by members.

However, the employer has backtracked on discussions to ensure that members in precarious positions, including firefighters, receive the one-time pensionable lump sum blaming the wildfires as the cause.

Using wildfires as an excuse is nothing less than shameful. As the employer delayed signing SA国际影视传媒� using fires in CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 North as an excuse SA国际影视传媒� PSAC pushed for an agreement that would not leave our members, many of whom fought those same fires before their contracts ended, as victims of employer delays.

There was a rally held on October 6 at the Gallery building in Yellowknife for people to voice their support of the firefighters and seasonal workers, and to demand federal ministers Steve Guilbeault and Anita Anand to make this right.

SA国际影视传媒淲e pushed the employer to get this deal signed so that seasonal term workers would benefit,SA国际影视传媒� said Chris Aylward, PSAC national president. SA国际影视传媒淏ut now itSA国际影视传媒檚 clear. The Parks Canada Agency used wildfires as an excuse to delay, while itSA国际影视传媒檚 firefighters who they are shortchanging.SA国际影视传媒�

Based on information from the employer, there are roughly 300 members who will not receive the lump sum payment due to the delay. This includes firefighters, who have been on the front-lines of wildfires that have ravaged communities, members in seasonal term positions at CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 historical sites, and students during a national housing crisis. We negotiated a collective agreement to support term and seasonal workers, not leave them further behind.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have seen firsthand the work of firefighters to protect our communities here in the North and we know that the work of Parks Canada employees is vital,SA国际影视传媒� added Jos茅e-Anne Spirito, PSAC North Regional Executive Vice President. SA国际影视传媒淭hat work must be honoured, not shortchanged.SA国际影视传媒�