Diplomats picketing outside Canada's Foreign Affairs headquarters in Ottawa on Wednesday (April 24)
Photo Credit: Stéphane Leclerc/Radio-Canada

Canada’s diplomats, picketing and working to rule

Listen

It’s almost the worst possible scenario for Canadian diplomats, protesting against their own government, but that’s exactly what they’re doing as contract negotiations have stalled since January.

The diplomats are now refusing to do overtime, answer e-mails after office hours, and this week started information pickets in Ottawa before the beginning of their work day.

“…it goes against every instinct in our body, absolutely. We’re not in the business of questioning or challenging our government. We’re in the business of promoting its interests, promoting Canada’s interests abroad..” – Tim Edwards

The federal government has not negotiated with the diplomats since January.

In March, the membership voted 82 per cent in favour of a strike. So far they are limiting themselves to sporadic protests, picketing in Ottawa, and work-to-rule tactics that slow down Canadian foreign service activities.

RCI’s Wojtek Gwiazda spoke to Tim Edwards, the president of the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers to find out more.

 

More information:
Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers web site – www.pafso-apase.com
Latest developments – here

twitter.com/wojtekgwiazda

Categories: Economy, International, Politics
Tags: , ,

Do you want to report an error or a typo? Click here!

For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.