ACCESS TO INFORMATION ACT

ANNUAL REPORT

PUBLIC SERVICE LABOUR
RELATIONS BOARD

2005-2006

© Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada 2006
    published by the Public Service Labour Relations Board
Cat. No. SR2-2/2006
ISBN 0-662-49295-1
This publication is also available on the Board’s Web site at:
http://www.pslrb-crtfp.gc.ca

June 30, 2006

The Honourable Beverley J. Oda
Minister of Canadian Heritage and
Minister responsible for Status of Women
Jules Léger Building, 12^th Floor
15 Eddy Street
Gatineau, QC   K1A 0M5

Dear Minister:

I am pleased to transmit to you, pursuant to section 72 of the Access to Information Act, the 2005-06 Annual Report of the Public Service Labour Relations Board covering the period from April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006 for submission to Parliament.

Table of CONTENTS

Introduction

Statistical Reports / Explanation

Organization of Activities and Delegation Instrument

Implementation

Formal/Informal Interface

Institutional Policies

Education and Training

Complaints, Investigations and Audits

Appeals to the Federal Court

ANNUAL REPORT
ACCESS TO INFORMATION ACT
APRIL 1, 2005 TO MARCH 31, 2006

INTRODUCTION

The Public Service Labour Relations Board was established on April 1 st 2005 with the coming into force of the Public Service Labour Relations Act. This new board builds on the accomplishments of its predecessor, the Public Service Staff Relations Board, which was established in 1967 with the inception of collective bargaining in the Public Service of Canada.

The Public Service Labour Relations Board (the Board) is an independent, quasi-judicial statutory tribunal responsible for administering the collective bargaining and grievance adjudication systems in the federal public and parliamentary services. The Board also provides mediation and conflict resolution services to help parties resolve differences without resorting to a formal hearing. As part of its new mandate, the Board has established compensation analysis and research services. Pursuant to the Act, the Board consists of a Chairperson, 3 Vice-Chairpersons, and such other full-time members and part-time members as the Governor in Council considers necessary.

Proceedings before the Board include grievance adjudication, arbitration, conciliation through Public Interest Commissions, mediation, applications for certification, revocation of certification, displacement, complaints of unfair labour practices, identification of positions whose duties are of a managerial and confidential nature, essential services agreements, determination of successor rights, enforcement of obligations of employer and employee organizations, and complaints of disciplinary actions or discrimination that resulted from federal employees having exercised their rights relating to workplace health and safety under Part II of the Canada Labour Code.

STATISTICAL REPORTS / EXPLANATION

The Board received four formal access to information requests during the period under review. One request was from a government organization, one request was from an individual and two requests were from businesses. For one of the formal requests, there was partial disclosure of the available information.  Exemption was invoked under subsection 19(1) of the Access to Information Act. For another formal request we were unable to process the request because the Board did not have the information being sought. The other two requests were fully disclosed. Access to the disclosed information of the formal requests was provided through copies of the documents.

The Board also processed ten consultation requests. The documents that were part of the consultation requests were fully disclosed.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Organization of Activities and Delegation Instrument

The Chairperson has appointed the Head, Records and Mail Services, as Co–ordinator under the Access to Information Act.  Any request received by the Board is referred by the Co–ordinator to the appropriate Branch for review and report before a decision is rendered on the request by the Co–ordinator. Where necessary, consultation takes place with the Chairperson. The Co–ordinator dedicated approximately 2% of a person–year to the administration of the Access to Information Act, to updating the Government of Canada Publication Info Source, and to preparing reports.

Implementation

A reading area is located in the Board's Records Office. A copy of the Government of Canada Publication Info Source is available for reference, as are Access to Information Request Forms, a copy of the  Board's Subject Classification Manual and other relevant publications.

In compliance with the Treasury Board Policy on records management, the Board's Records Office is continuously reviewing and updating its information holdings to ensure quick retrieval of information which could be requested under the Access to Information Act. In addition, all information included in the Board's main filing system is linked to its respective Program Record Number.

Formal/Informal Interface

During the reporting period, four requests were submitted formally and one was received informally.  All formal completed requests were treated formally and the one request which was submitted informally was treated as such.

Institutional Policies

While the Board's policy is to charge fees for requests where the processing exceeds $5.00, the nature and merit of each request are reviewed before a final decision concerning the request for or waiving of payment is made.

Education and Training

Information on the Access to Information Act is incorporated into the Board's orientation package for new employees.

Complaints, Investigations and Audits

As of March 31, 2006, the Board had no complaints against it under the Access to Information Act.

Appeals to the Federal Court

There were no appeals to the Federal Court during the period under review with respect to Access to Information requests.

Report on the Access to Information Act (PDF)