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[CANADIEN]

There is quite a simple fix. As part of the federal-provincial HST agreement, the province should require that the job offer by the Federal government to the employee be conditional upon the employee waiving the severance clause. IOW, the employee gets to choose between a severance and a federal job.

So, as a condition of employment, these people shou;d renounce to a sum of money they are entitled to? If the federal government tried to do this, they'd be sued, and lose.

[capricorn]

So, as a condition of employment, these people shou;d renounce to a sum of money they are entitled to? If the federal government tried to do this, they'd be sued, and lose.

No doubt, legal opinions were sought by all parties involved. IMO, with a severance pay clause in place in the provincial tax collectors' collective agreement, it is the provincial government that would be sued and the agreement would stand.

[letsbefair]

Yes, we have to live by agreements. There are two problems though.

First, from the description, this is a technicality. People get paid severance when they are layed off, not when they are transferred to another position. This should fall into that category. This should be sorted out, through the courts if necessary.

Second, the government shouldn't be making such agreements to begin with.

The simple solution to the problem would be to give them a choice to be terminated and therefore deserving of the severance or if they wish to be transfered give up the right to severance. In reality their would be many accountants willing to apply for the new positions. It really is not fair to transfer them and give them severance without allowing others to apply.