Why can't these people just agree?

[Cowperson]

Boy, I was sorely tempted to put this on the hockey board given the NHL/NHLPA kerfuffle but............

Pension cheques could be delayed, border inspections slowed and picket lines set up around the country if more than 130,000 federal public servants follow through on threats to walk off the job as early as September.

Prime Minister Paul Martin and the vast majority of employees represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada are on a collision course in contract negotiations.

Neither side shows much willingness to budge.

Where have you heard that last line before?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/sto.../BNStory/Front/

Cowperson

[Cube Inmate]

It's a good bet that the combined salaries of 130,000 PSAC employees are still less than the combined salaries of <1000 NHLPA members. While I don't agree with unions in principle, at least the PSAC likely has a little more realistic demands.

[Cowperson]

Originally posted by Cube Inmate@Aug 23 2004, 05:44 AM
It's a good bet that the combined salaries of 130,000 PSAC employees are still less than the combined salaries of <1000 NHLPA members. While I don't agree with unions in principle, at least the PSAC likely has a little more realistic demands.

The difference in dollars per employee in the two disputes can suck you into missing some of the similarities.

As an example, the story indicates the federal government will probably use to its benefit the public perception the average bureaucrat is overpaid and underworked while NHL owners are clearly emboldened by a recent poll showing 82% of Canadians are against the NHLPA, basically the same position.

Both disputes have two sides taking entrenched positions and seemingly gearing up for a tough fight.

The NHL in its opening bid asked the NHLPA to take a 25% paycut. The NHLPA offered a 5% paycut.

The Federal Government is turning down a pay raise of about 4.5%.

In that light, it almost makes the NHLPA position sympathetic. Almost.

Cowperson