Canada Federal Budget: Public Service Union Cries Foul Over Exclusion

OTTAWA - The union representing tens of thousands of federal scientists says for the first time ever, it has been barred from this year's federal budget lockup.

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada wrote to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty on Tuesday asking to be allowed into the lockup.

Union president Gary Corbett says PIPSC's request to participate in the lockup was rejected Monday.

Journalists, government officials and outside experts are sequestered for several hours on budget day without any means of outside communication so they can pore over the details of the federal budget.

Corbett says the union has participated in past lockups.

But a spokeswoman for Flaherty says the government received a record number of requests to participate in the lockup, and not every group can be accommodated.

Mary Ann Dewey-Plante says more than 190 groups — including several other public-service unions — are already participating.

She says PIPSC was not rejected and has been put on a waiting list.

Dewey-Plante says the union could be allowed into the lockup if a spot opens up.

Original Article
Source: Huff
Author: Canadian Press