The stupid thing about the sick days is that most government workers don't have Short Term Disability coverage. You have to carry the days over in case of an emergency. Cut the sick days and give them STD coverage like every other employer.
I know they're unionized but you shouldn't be "entitled" a specific number of sick days (nor get to roll them over). If you're sick you can take the day off. If you're not sick you should be at work. If you give somebody 15 sick days a funny thing happens, they use all of them.
Average sick days in Canada is around 7. The only reason they need 15 is because they don't have short term disability coverage.
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tabl...bor60b-eng.htm