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Treasury Board President Tony Clement claims he’s ready to talk and “fairly” negotiate the terms of a new sick leave and disability regime to replace the one the Conservative government intends to scrap to save $900 million.

Clement took a swipe at the 17 federal unions for “ragging the puck” in the ongoing round of collective bargaining as he defended the government’s plan to implement a new short-term disability plan whether the unions agree or not.

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“I have altered my position to be more fair. They have not altered their position,” said Clement.

“The responsibility is now on them to come to the table, not to try to rag the puck. They clearly want a Liberal or an NDP government to negotiate with, who will roll over and accept their positions.”

The stage was set for the looming showdown in Tuesday’s budget with the government’s vow to replace the existing sick-leave benefits plan with a short-term disability plan unless a deal can be negotiated at the bargaining table within a “reasonable time limit.”