Understanding PAFSO STRIKE and Its possible closure time

[niruban44]

Majority of the applicants are now aware of the PAFSO union members strike from Jun 6th ( work-to-rule from April ), who are responsible for issuing VISA.

As of July 15th, 2013 there is no closure to this strike and more than 30000 applications affected by this strike all over the world.

Government Possible Measures :
1. Passing a Back to work legislation.
2. If Back to work legislation voting fails, then go back to negotiation table.

When will they pass this Back to work legislation:
1. Create considerable pressure on the economy and on public to make sure the voting happens in favor of Back to work legislation. This can be achieved only by delaying the time and create pressure.
2. The next house of commons session is on September 6th, that's when it might be passed. This will give them 3 months from the official date of strike which is June 6th.

What should they do:
1. They should create a new contract for all the employees of that department (or) nominate a negotiator and talk with both parties

Why PAFSO is striking:
They have high probability of getting an increase in wages, new contracts with increase in wages, or simply new contracts. If they strike until they pass this law.

How long they will strike:
They have nothing to loose , when the law is passed they will get new contracts and arrears based on the 'strike law'.

Who looses what:
The applicants loose their patience, some loose their jobs, some loose money, many fail to be with their family

Who will handle the loss to government because of the strike:
The loss incurred due to this service is estimated to be more than 300 million in tourism alone, other taxes from students and work permit applicants go up to 500 million to a billion. How will government bare this but not a simple pay rise which will cost them 30 million .
This part of puzzle I am not sure , but there should be a definite let out that's why government is lethargic.

Summary
Unless an emergency house of commons is called for and a back to work legislation is passed (or) PAFSO withdraw the strike (which is more unlikely) or a true negotiation is made ( which is 30% likely) the strike will not end before SEPTEMBER 2ND WEEK.

But truly wishing for a closure soon.

References :
http://www.ciu-sdi.ca/?p=129625
http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/07/05/its-a-mess-effects-of-ongoing-strike-by-canadian-diplomats-widely-felt-and-very-costly/
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/06/15/f-faq-back-to-work-legislation.html

 

[avm]

Majority of the applicants are now aware of the PAFSO union members strike from Jun 6th ( work-to-rule from April ), who are responsible for issuing VISA.

As of July 15th, 2013 there is no closure to this strike and more than 30000 applications affected by this strike all over the world.

Government Possible Measures :
1. Passing a Back to work legislation.
2. If Back to work legislation voting fails, then go back to negotiation table.

When will they pass this Back to work legislation:
1. Create considerable pressure on the economy and on public to make sure the voting happens in favor of Back to work legislation. This can be achieved only by delaying the time and create pressure.
2. The next house of commons session is on September 6th, that's when it might be passed. This will give them 3 months from the official date of strike which is June 6th.

What should they do:
1. They should create a new contract for all the employees of that department (or) nominate a negotiator and talk with both parties

Why PAFSO is striking:
They have high probability of getting an increase in wages, new contracts with increase in wages, or simply new contracts. If they strike until they pass this law.

How long they will strike:
They have nothing to loose , when the law is passed they will get new contracts and arrears based on the 'strike law'.

Who looses what:
The applicants loose their patience, some loose their jobs, some loose money, many fail to be with their family

Who will handle the loss to government because of the strike:
The loss incurred due to this service is estimated to be more than 300 million in tourism alone, other taxes from students and work permit applicants go up to 500 million to a billion. How will government bare this but not a simple pay rise which will cost them 30 million .
This part of puzzle I am not sure , but there should be a definite let out that's why government is lethargic.

Summary
Unless an emergency house of commons is called for and a back to work legislation is passed (or) PAFSO withdraw the strike (which is more unlikely) or a true negotiation is made ( which is 30% likely) the strike will not end before SEPTEMBER 2ND WEEK.

But truly wishing for a closure soon.

References :
http://www.ciu-sdi.ca/?p=129625
http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/07/05/its-a-mess-effects-of-ongoing-strike-by-canadian-diplomats-widely-felt-and-very-costly/
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/06/15/f-faq-back-to-work-legislation.html

many thanks for giving such a crucial information dude

 

[timelady]

Yes, thank you for the recap! The only thing we can do from outside of Canada is ask the Canadian citizens we know to contact their MPs and other members of government and tell them it's important to end the strike.

Tony Clement is the President of Canada's Treasury Board. It's his job to negotiate, and he's currently standing firm with the offer that was made back in 2011. He can be contacted via his website: tonyclement.ca (and go to the "Contact" page)

Have your Canadian friends and family let him know this is not okay!

 

[daphneleila]

Majority of the applicants are now aware of the PAFSO union members strike from Jun 6th ( work-to-rule from April ), who are responsible for issuing VISA.

As of July 15th, 2013 there is no closure to this strike and more than 30000 applications affected by this strike all over the world.

Government Possible Measures :
1. Passing a Back to work legislation.
2. If Back to work legislation voting fails, then go back to negotiation table.

When will they pass this Back to work legislation:
1. Create considerable pressure on the economy and on public to make sure the voting happens in favor of Back to work legislation. This can be achieved only by delaying the time and create pressure.
2. The next house of commons session is on September 6th, that's when it might be passed. This will give them 3 months from the official date of strike which is June 6th.

What should they do:
1. They should create a new contract for all the employees of that department (or) nominate a negotiator and talk with both parties

Why PAFSO is striking:
They have high probability of getting an increase in wages, new contracts with increase in wages, or simply new contracts. If they strike until they pass this law.

How long they will strike:
They have nothing to loose , when the law is passed they will get new contracts and arrears based on the 'strike law'.

Who looses what:
The applicants loose their patience, some loose their jobs, some loose money, many fail to be with their family

Who will handle the loss to government because of the strike:
The loss incurred due to this service is estimated to be more than 300 million in tourism alone, other taxes from students and work permit applicants go up to 500 million to a billion. How will government bare this but not a simple pay rise which will cost them 30 million .
This part of puzzle I am not sure , but there should be a definite let out that's why government is lethargic.

Summary
Unless an emergency house of commons is called for and a back to work legislation is passed (or) PAFSO withdraw the strike (which is more unlikely) or a true negotiation is made ( which is 30% likely) the strike will not end before SEPTEMBER 2ND WEEK.

But truly wishing for a closure soon.

References :
http://www.ciu-sdi.ca/?p=129625
http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/07/05/its-a-mess-effects-of-ongoing-strike-by-canadian-diplomats-widely-felt-and-very-costly/
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/06/15/f-faq-back-to-work-legislation.html

Thank you for this, a detailed and precised information for all of us here on the forum... I just hope a new resolution would come up for the benefit of both parties involved God Bless!

 

[timelady]

It looks like the union has requested binding arbitration. If the government agrees (they have until Tuesday at noon), they could sit down and come to an agreement sooner rather than later. Here's hoping!

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Striking+foreign+service+workers+government+join+binding/8677144/story.html

 

[niruban44]

Belief/Hope is always given by people who sabotage our livelihood.

If you look into the statement closely,
[PAFSO is not as eager as our employer to keep playing a game of ‘chicken’ while jeopardizing the livelihoods of tens of thousands of Canadians nationwide. PAFSO has heard the concerns of Canadians and Canadian businesses. This is why we have taken the decision to act responsibly and commit to finding alternate solutions in the face of the Government’s stubborn refusal to compromise]

you should get a clear picture that PAFSO is using strong provocative words. They have shown their anger in the statement and I doubt if government will oblige their DEMAND. If they do so, their name will be thrown to mud by media.

Why would government agree to a third party arbitration and who are they to fix the timeline . Naturally, as a government authority it brings anger on reading the statement given by PAFSO. I fear this shouldn't any planned negotiation.

I believe by giving out this statement PAFSO have made sure, this issue isn't going to be solved with negotiation. According to me if it works, I am the happiest person.

Keep your hopes alive, but don't fall into these statements by PAFSO. Follow only what Government Officials say, they are the ultimate deciding authorities no matter what happens to applicants or families or business.

 

[singh_j]

What if strike ends in September? How much delay then we can assume in case processing time?

 

[santyIndia]

Good information, even if strike ends today, the backlog clearing will take time that means processing may be slow till next tw to three months.

 

[singh_j]

PAFSO - APASE To clarify our statement, there will be no change in PAFSO's job action measures until the conditions proposed by Treasury Board for binding arbitration are resolved. This was on there facebook page.

 

[niruban44]

Its indeed a great news that Government has accepted Binding Arbitration However there is no deadline , again let us hope for a sooner closure.

Once they agree and strike ends, there will be a definite boost to the existing processing timelines. Most likely the back logs will be cleared within 2 months for Worker Visa.

Priority could be for Student Visa, Visitor, Work Visa in the same order I have mentioned.

 

[maria_ind]

Useful topic......well explained !
Thank you

Majority of the applicants are now aware of the PAFSO union members strike from Jun 6th ( work-to-rule from April ), who are responsible for issuing VISA.

As of July 15th, 2013 there is no closure to this strike and more than 30000 applications affected by this strike all over the world.

Government Possible Measures :
1. Passing a Back to work legislation.
2. If Back to work legislation voting fails, then go back to negotiation table.

When will they pass this Back to work legislation:
1. Create considerable pressure on the economy and on public to make sure the voting happens in favor of Back to work legislation. This can be achieved only by delaying the time and create pressure.
2. The next house of commons session is on September 6th, that's when it might be passed. This will give them 3 months from the official date of strike which is June 6th.

What should they do:
1. They should create a new contract for all the employees of that department (or) nominate a negotiator and talk with both parties

Why PAFSO is striking:
They have high probability of getting an increase in wages, new contracts with increase in wages, or simply new contracts. If they strike until they pass this law.

How long they will strike:
They have nothing to loose , when the law is passed they will get new contracts and arrears based on the 'strike law'.

Who looses what:
The applicants loose their patience, some loose their jobs, some loose money, many fail to be with their family

Who will handle the loss to government because of the strike:
The loss incurred due to this service is estimated to be more than 300 million in tourism alone, other taxes from students and work permit applicants go up to 500 million to a billion. How will government bare this but not a simple pay rise which will cost them 30 million .
This part of puzzle I am not sure , but there should be a definite let out that's why government is lethargic.

Summary
Unless an emergency house of commons is called for and a back to work legislation is passed (or) PAFSO withdraw the strike (which is more unlikely) or a true negotiation is made ( which is 30% likely) the strike will not end before SEPTEMBER 2ND WEEK.

But truly wishing for a closure soon.

References :
http://www.ciu-sdi.ca/?p=129625
http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/07/05/its-a-mess-effects-of-ongoing-strike-by-canadian-diplomats-widely-felt-and-very-costly/
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/06/15/f-faq-back-to-work-legislation.html

 

[niruban44]

Well everyone can expect one good news this week, the PSLRB(C) decision might come before Friday EOD(90%) and it will be in favor of PAFSO. The problem that may lead to further delay in strike closure is that both parties have 30 days to appeal against the decision.

So this re-appeal is an obvious choice if

a. Treasury Board of Canada is penalized for the bad faith bargaining.
b. PAFSO is condemned for False accusation.

If binding arbitration is forced, then there is 80% chance that TB and PAFSO will enter arbitration in the next week and strike will be withdrawn on September 9th week onwards.

** This is just my speculation on the current scenario.

 

[Fasuu11]

I heard that cic Delhi is processing TRV

Is it true

Please comment

 

[niruban44]

Yes it is processing all sorts of application including TRV, but the processing time has extended. Recent trends for
TRV - Visitor -10 days to a month
TRV - OWP - Spouse - 4 months
TRV - Closed Work Permit - 5 months - 7 months
TRV - ICT - 3 months - 4 months
TRV - Student Permit - 2 weeks to a month.

 

[niruban44]

Forgot to mention,

Student Permit application is not accepted if the joining date is in September 2013.