Canadian diplomats plan picket of Embassy in Washington, DC

Canadian foreign service officers who are in a labour dispute with Treasury Board have announced a plan to picket Canada’s Embassy in Washington, DC. The Embassy sits in a prominent location along Pennsylvania Avenue, near Capitol Hill.

Below is the press release:

Canadian Foreign Service Officers to picket at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, DC

April 30, 2013– Canada’s Foreign Service Officers have been without a contract since 2011, and have been in a legal strike position since April 2^nd, 2013. Despite repeated requests by the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO), the Government of Canada has refused to resume negotiations.

‘Information Pickets’ took place April 24^th – 26^th in Ottawa, and will continue at Canadian Embassies around the world. The first of these will take place at the Embassy of Canada to the United States in Washington, DC (501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW) at 12pm on Friday, May 3^rd, 2013.

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The Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO) represents Canada’s 1350 Foreign Service Officers. The key negotiating issue is PAFSO’s request for equal pay for equal work. The union is seeking wage adjustments to keep compensation for Foreign Service Officers in line with comparable employment groups in the Government of Canada.

PAFSO members have begun a work-to-rule campaign both at headquarters and at missions around the world. Information pickets are the next step in the campaign and will continue until the Government of Canada agrees to return to negotiations.

Canada’s Foreign Service officers are Canada’s representatives to the world, providing critical support to Canadian citizens and businesses, promoting Canadian values and interests, and providing the front line support to Canada’s immigration system.

PAFSO President Tim Edwards will be available for comment during the information picket and can be booked for interviews throughout the week.

For further information, please contact:

Frederic Fournier

media@pafso-apase.com

613-790-5402