bout de papier, Vol. 8, No. 1 (1990), p. 40
Over the past few months, PAFSO has contributed either formally or informally to the Public Service 2000 Initiative by submitted written briefs in response to specific questions, as with the Staff Relations Task Force, or by raising issues of specific concern to PAFSO of its own accord, as with the Compensation and Benefits Task Force.
The 10 Task Forces established to carry out the Public Service 2000 Initiative’s mandate have just released reports for purposes of discussion and further consultations with all the interested parties. PAFSO is pleased to report that most of the items listed on its agenda at the outset of this initiative have received favourable consideration. Most important, of course, were the representations concerning FS restructuring and simplification of the FSD’s, but other matters such as the recognition of appointment to level in the legislation and the need for career planning and counselling have also been addressed.
PAFSO had for years looked for a way out of the Administrative and Foreign Service Category as it limited, in our view, our ability to put forward any valid internal salary comparison. Recognizing the limitations on our bargaining unit’s involvement in strike action, we had favoured the arbitration route as a method for dispute resolution. However, only four issues could be dealt with by arbitration panels, often forcing us to accept unsatisfactory settlements on other issues. We also wished for the opportunity to compare segments of the Foreign Service job with outside organizations to effect real salary comparisons. As well, we looked forward to influencing internal systems such as appraisals and promotions which have a direct impact on pay.
We had wanted to restructure the Foreign Service group in order to address problems we identified with recruitment, lack of promotion and lack of recognition for employee contribution. We wished to preserve the appointment-to-level system but wanted its recognition in the legislation. We wanted to maintain our assignment system but wanted it supported by career planning and counselling services and adequate training facilities.
We looked for solutions to the eternal nickel-and-diming game under the Foreign Service Directives. We sought for the directives to be recognized as just compensation for services rendered. We wished to ease the burden for spouses when it came to Unemployment Insurance regulations or Pensions.
All in all, we were looking for conditions more conducive to the identification of solutions and were hoping to put our group in a better position to take advantage of the changes. We have not achieved all to our satisfaction, but most of our concerns have been addressed.
The Staff Relations Task Force is recommending that all matters legally negotiable be referrable to an arbitration panel should the parties be unable to settle at the table. It is also reinforcing the role of departments in bargaining and grievance adjudications.
The Classification and Occupational Structures Task Force is recommending the Foreign Service group be an entity by itself with a 4-level structure removing the non-managerial jobs from within the Executive group except for the ADM level. It is also suggesting the establishment of a classification standard specific to the Foreign Service.
The Staffing Task Force is recommending the recognition of the appointment-to-level concept in the legislation while no longer allowing for underfills. The Task Force on Workforce Adaptiveness is recommending the establishment of fully professional career counselling services and assessment centres. The Task Force on Training and Development is recommending re-balancing the emphasis on immediate job skills, future requirements and career development requirements.
The Task Force on Compensation and Benefits has confirmed the Foreign Service Directives as a compensation scheme and has agreed to recommend their “simplification.” It is also supportive of our concerns for Foreign Service spouses.
We set out for the sky when we decided to take the opportunity we were offered by Public Service 2000. We only addressed issues of direct concern to our membership. We wished to change our universe in order to make it a better place for our members and their families. We believe we have made a good head start. All we need do now is manage the change and ensure it is implemented in a manner that not only does us proud but also, serves our members.
I can only wish my successor the best of luck and a lot of determination in bringing these endeavours to fruition. I must say I have enjoyed immensely, and have benefitted greatly, from serving the Foreign Service and that it is with great regret and tremendous hope that I leave my position as Executive Director of PAFSO. I thank you for having given me the honour to serve you. I shall look forward to working again with some of you in my new position of Faculty Member at the Canadian Centre for Management Development.
View the original scanned pages →
Originally published in bout de papier, Vol. 8, No. 1 (1990), p. 40. Read the rest of this issue →
