BANFF – The Parks Canada union’s bargaining team will return to the table next week to negotiate with Parks Canada Agency, including a push for fair compensation for national park law enforcement wardens.
Representatives for the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) – the union representing national park employees – resume talks on Aug. 24-28 following the successful conclusion of bargaining for several Treasury Board bargaining groups.
“PSAC will provide updates on talks as appropriate,” according to a statement to union members.
PSAC officials say they committed to making progress on fair compensation for park wardens in relation to Canada’s other law enforcement positions, such as Border Patrol officers.
The union argues wardens are highly trained law enforcement officers who perform similar duties to that of other federally-paid law enforcement, and yet, in some cases, the salaries of park wardens lag up to 17 per cent below their counterparts.
PSAC is also fighting for a competitive wage increase for other national park employees, pay parity with the core public service, work-life balance initiatives such as improved maternity and parental leave, and fairness for seasonal and term workers.
There had been talk of strikes earlier this year, but with the COVID-19 pandemic, PSAC decided to suspend all strikes votes in mid-March in line with recommendations from local and national health authorities.
Parks Canada officials say the agency is committed achieving a fair collective agreement that “respects the interests of taxpayers and offers employees fair wage adjustments and workplace improvements that reflect today’s work environment.”
“Parks Canada is committed to achieving a renewed collective agreement and is hopeful that this week’s discussions at the bargaining table will prove to be successful,” according to an emailed statement.
“As negotiations are ongoing, it would be inappropriate for Parks Canada to comment further at this time.”
The last time Parks Canada employees went on strike was on Aug. 13, 2004. The job action lasted 58 days.
Staff conducted rotating strikes at national parks and historic sites across the country, including in Banff, with managers stepping in to try to keep services up and running where they could
Among other job action, staff at Banff National Park did not collect park entry fees, leaving entry to the national park free.
