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Canada’s muzzled federal scientists claim they are now being barred from meeting with their union at work to discuss its bargaining proposals to restore “scientific integrity” in government, says the union.

Debi Daviau, president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, is leading scientists Tuesday in a string of outdoor protests at labs and science-based departments across the country largely because the union can no longer get inside to meet with their members as it once did.

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PIPSC came to the table in this current round of collective bargaining with a highly unconventional package of proposals that would embed “scientific integrity” in scientists’ contracts and stop the government from meddling in their work.

Daviau said the union is no longer able to update scientists on these proposals and what’s happening at the bargaining table.

“To add insult to injury, when you make scientific integrity in defence of the public interest your top priority at the bargaining table, the government bars you from meeting to discuss this in your workplace,” said Daviau.