Statement - Final Offers Tabled with Bargaining Agents for the Core Public Administration

Date: 18 November 2008

Ottawa - The Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board, today released the following statement on the government's approach to public service wages in a time of fiscal restraint.

"A responsible approach to public sector compensation is even more critical during a time of economic uncertainty and tight fiscal circumstances.

Given the urgent need to ensure predictability in public sector wages, we are presenting final offers to the bargaining agents of the core public administration. 

These offers strike the right balance: responsible, predictable spending and fair compensation. They are fair to employees and to taxpayers.

The final offers represent a total increase of 6.8% over 4 years as follows: 2.3% in the first year, 1.5% in year two, 1.5% in year 3 and 1.5% in year four, for four-year contracts beginning in 2007-08.

My officials have made attempts with our bargaining agents to achieve a responsible outcome for public sector compensation in light of the current economic uncertainty and remain available for further discussion."

Note: The core public administration includes departments and agencies for which Treasury Board is the employer.

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For more information, contact:

Christine Csversko
Director of Communications
Office of the President of the Treasury Board
(613) 957-2666

Robert Makichuk
Chief, Media Relations
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
(613) 957-2391

If there is a discrepancy between any printed version and the electronic version of this news release, the electronic version will prevail.

TTY (Telecommunications device for the hearing impaired) - (613) 957-9090