Labour and Employment Law in the Federal Public Service, 2e describes the labour and employment law governing employees in the federal public administration, employees of Parliament, members of the RCMP, and other federal government employees (excluding members of the Canadian armed forces, judges, and employees of Crown corporations). Specifically, the book deals with the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act and the Public Service Employment Act, along with statutes specific to certain categories of government employees. It also discusses the leading cases and, where appropriate, a representative sample of decisions to explain or provide examples of particular points.

Part I provides an overview of federal public service labour and employment law, along with a historical overview of the topic. Part II considers the normal labour law topics as they apply to direct employees of the government and employees of government agencies. Part III concerns the unique terms and conditions of employment for both unionized and non-unionized employees (including political neutrality, whistle-blowing, pay issues, official languages, and pensions). Part IV involves the legal regulation of the employment relationship in the federal public service — namely, the process for appointment to and within the federal public service. Part V considers Crown servants — specifically, RCMP members and parliamentary employees — ​who have special rules and statutory provisions governing their employment. Finally, Part VI considers the role that courts play in the regulation of federal public service labour and employment law.

In short, this book does exactly what it says on the tin.

Christopher Rootham has a Bachelor of Law from Queen’s University and a Master of Labour Law from the London School of Economics. He practised law for over twenty years at the firm of Nelligan Law in Ottawa, Ontario. He also taught on a part-time basis at Queen’s University Faculty of Law in 2008 and at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law from 2008 to 2022. On April 3, 2023, he was appointed as a member of the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board. This book, of course, represents his personal views and does not represent the views of that Board.

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