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Clement said once the unions “categorically’ rejected his offer for discussions, Treasury Board was forced “back to the drawing board’’ to draft its own proposal without their input.

“Every single union in unison declared they would not sit down with us … so we had to go back to the drawing board,” he said.

“I am still committed to fair labour practices and fair collective bargaining … but obviously the onus is on us alone to come up with a comprehensive sick-leave plan proposal and that is what we are doing.”

Clement said the overhaul is complicated and sweeping with many details to sort out, including several major tender calls for companies to manage the new system. He said he’s confident that with some ”good faith and fairness on both sides,” the two parties can agree on a “reasonable” sick leave for both employees and taxpayers.

“I wear two hats (as Treasury Board president) … and I take that role seriously. I do want our employees to be well, productive, have excellent careers in the public service, but at the same time I am mindful of the need of taxpayers to have a system that discourages unwarranted absenteeism and encourages accountability,” he said.

Although the government and various unions negotiate separately, the unions agreed to work together in this round and present a common front on sick leave.

The unions refused to participate in Clement’s informal consultations fearing these would have usurped the collective bargaining process. They maintain such a major change to sick leave management, a key working condition in the public service, should be worked out at the bargaining table. Some have filed complaints of bad-faith bargaining against the government.