Bargaining isn’t going well between the 53 members of PSAC Local 69081 and the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government.
Members of the directly chartered local were holding an information picket March 31 outside the band office when the Listuguj Chief paid a visit to the line.
Chief Alison Metallic claimed to be unaware of the problems between negotiators for the band and the union. Chief Metallic also said the much-anticipated wage offer from management didn’t exist.
The local has been in bargaining with the band for more than two years. Talks broke off Oct. 2009, but Local 69081 spokesperson Patsy Mallaley had hoped word of the wage offer was a sign of progress.
“We’re really disappointed,” said Mallaley. “It’s clear the band isn’t taking this issue seriously.”
The union has applied for conciliation.
This is a first contract for this unit, which was certified in November 2007. The unit is comprised of all teaching and non-teaching personnel at the Alaqsite’w Gitpu School in the First Nation community of Listuguj.
All the articles for the new collective agreement have been agreed upon by the PSAC and the Employer. The only remaining item in dispute is wages.
In October 2009, the employer’s negotiating team were apparently going to the band council for a mandate for a counter-offer on the union’s wage demand. The union is still waiting.