[BCMA] CMA Clip Serv:

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

   Museum workers on strike

   Tony Spears, Ottawa Citizen, Monday, September 21, 2009

   Unionized workers at the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the
   Canadian War Museum walked off the job at 6 a.m. Monday after the
   union's bargaining group rejected the museums' final offer.

   Talks between the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation -- which
   operates the two museums -- and representatives of 420 members of the
   Public Service Alliance of Canada who work at the museums broke down
   early Friday morning and did not resume over the weekend.

   Patrice Rémillard, a member of PSAC's bargaining committee, deemed the
   offer "unacceptable," despite the corporation's claim that it had made
   concessions on many of the key sticking points.

   The CMCC's vice-president of public affairs, Chantal Schryer, said the
   corporation had budged on hiring practices and "beefed up" job
   security.

   She said the offer would have doubled the number of permanent and
   part-time guides, and that the most senior among temporary guide staff
   would be first in line when permanent positions became available.

   The union says only six out of 55 guides are permanent employees.

   Schryer also said the corporation had budged on wage issues, noting
   that the final offer would have raised workers' salaries by an average
   of 12 to 17 per cent.

   The union says its employees' salaries lag behind other museums in the
   region.

   Rémillard added that proposed changes to guide compensation for
   special tours -- such as school groups --would leave them with less
   money than before.

   He also said the new offer would increase from six months to one year
   the time it takes for new employees to become eligible for sick leave
   and vacation pay.

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