Author Archives: Pierre St-Jacques

TB Bargaining: Public Interest Commission dates set

The Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board has scheduled Public Interest Commission (PIC) hearings for the EB, PA, SV, and TC groups.

The following dates have been set: 

  • EB November 21, December 12-13
  • PA November 28th to December 1st
  • SV November 28-30
  • TC December 9

Next steps 

As hearings take place, PSAC will continue to fight for an agreement that includes fair wages, better work-life balance, job security and inclusive workplaces.

Following hearings, we expect to receive a PIC report that will include non-binding recommendations for reaching agreements at the bargaining table.

Meanwhile, we’re escalating our pressure on the government by launching strike training for more than 165,000 federal public service workers at impasse with the federal government.

Sign up for strike training 

Stay informed and engaged   

Getting involved and taking action are key as we push for a fair contract. Be prepared, get mobilized, stay engaged, and be ready to take action:

Keep your contact information up to date to receive all the latest bargaining updates.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

Government announces historic anti-scab legislation

The federal government’s move this week to ban the use of replacement workers is an historic moment for labour in Canada. PSAC has long fought for protections against the use of scab workers during strikes.

The government has announced the start of a consultation process to develop legislation to ban the use of scabs (replacement workers) in federally regulated workplaces. The process includes an open consultation until December 16, with the expected introduction of legislation by early 2023.

PSAC looks forward to participating in this consultation process to strengthen the collective bargaining rights of PSAC members. We will work to ensure that legislation includes:

  • No loopholes. When unionized workers are on strike or locked out, no one will be able to perform their work – not new or temporary hires, not management, not workers in other bargaining units, students or other workers. The work stops…full stop;
  • Provisions to levy hefty financial penalties for employers that violate the new rules. Employers need to feel the pinch to deter them from hiring scab labour;
  • Rules that prevent employers from trying to contract out, transfer or discontinue work once the bargaining process begins, in anticipation of a strike or lock-out; and,
  • Quick and clear legal avenues to pursue complaints when employers break the rules.

We know that free and fair collective bargaining – without the threat of scabs taking workers’ jobs or imposing back-to-work legislation – is the best avenue to reach good agreements and stable workplaces. The use of scabs pits working people against each other and takes advantage of non-unionized workers who are desperate for work.

We look forward to meaningful consultation and progressive, robust legislation that protects the rights of workers.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

PA group: No movement on wages, key issues after mediation

Following a week of mediation, the federal government is refusing to budge on its wage offer that would effectively deliver a pay cut to nearly 95,000 federal public service workers in the PA group facing record high inflation.

Their revised wage offer was initially proposed during Common Issues mediation in September and would average 2.06% per year over a four-year agreement. Treasury Board held fast to this wage offer during mediation October 4-7.

Our team made it clear that’s not good enough, and PSAC members expect this government to come to the table with a fair contract that protects workers’ buying power.

The government is also still demanding concessions, and made no move to resolve key issues for PA Group members, including group-specific allowances, improvements to call centre working conditions, wage adjustments, or an allowance to compensate employees who use Indigenous languages in the workplace.

Treasury Board seems intent on delaying negotiations and dragging their feet on our most important issues, setting back our members who have been without a new contract since June 2021. In response, PSAC has launched both in-person and online strike training for our more than 165,000 federal public service members to ratchet up the pressure on the government to bargain fairly.

PSAC will now raise these issues at Public Interest Commission hearings, to be scheduled this fall by the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board. Meanwhile, dates have been set for mediation for the SV, TC and EB groups:

  • SV: October 11-14
  • TC: October 18-21
  • EB: October 25-27

If an agreement cannot be reached during the Public Interest Commission process, PSAC members should be prepared to continue escalating our actions, up to and including taking strike action if necessary to reach a fair contract.

Stay informed and engaged

Getting involved and taking action are key as we push for a fair contract. Be prepared, get mobilized, stay engaged, and be ready to take action:

Keep your contact information up to date to receive all the latest bargaining updates.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

TB bargaining: Ramp up the pressure by taking strike training

Icone discussion PSAC-AFPC

While PSAC attends mediation with Treasury Board and prepares to make our case at the Public Interest Commission hearings this fall, we’re escalating our pressure on the government by launching strike training for all members in the PA, SV, TC, and EB groups.

“We are preparing to fight for a fair contract if the government continues to ignore the plight of workers,” said PSAC National President Chris Aylward. “PSAC members across the country are taking strike training so that we’re ready for any possible outcome.”

As the cost of living remains at record highs for workers, Treasury Board has refused to meaningfully budge on a fair and reasonable wage offer that would prevent members from falling further behind. They’ve also dug in their heels and outright rejected our proposals on remote work and mandatory training on anti-oppression and discrimination.

Regional strike training preparation

Regional offices across the country are rolling out introductory strike training targeted at members working for Treasury Board. Contact your nearest PSAC regional office or visit your PSAC regional website for more information.

Training covers the collective bargaining process, key outstanding bargaining issues, the importance of mobilization on our bargaining power, the strike vote process, and more. The content is presented in various formats including a full day intensive training, a half-day overview, and a shorter introductory session. All general strike-related questions will be answered during the training.

Online strike training preparation

Education makes our union stronger. That’s why, in addition to in-person training, PSAC has developed an online strike preparation course that members can complete at their own pace.

The three-hour, self-led course will help Treasury Board members learn more about what strikes are, how they work, and where they fit in the bargaining process. Other topics covered include:

  • How strikes can make major gains for workers
  • PSAC strikes that our members won during the pandemic
  • The basic structure of strikes at PSAC
  • Strike logistics, including strike pay and essential services
  • What you can do right now to ensure we win

Enroll in online strike training today

When you finish the course, make sure to download your course certificate and tell your friends and colleagues about PSAC’s online education opportunities.

Frequently asked questions

PSAC has compiled a list of frequently asked questions about Treasury Board bargaining, mobilization, and strike votes.

This page will be updated as more information becomes available, so check back frequently.

Stay informed and engaged

Getting involved and taking action are key as we push for a fair contract. Be prepared, get mobilized, stay engaged, and be ready to take action:

Keep your contact information up to date to receive all the latest bargaining updates.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

FB bargaining: Telework and contracting out top of mind for team

Banner-FB-Bannière

The FB bargaining team raised several priority issues for discussion — including telework, job protections, and being assigned to work hours in another location — when they met with Treasury Board and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) September 27-29 to continue talks for a new collective agreement. 

PSAC-CIU is calling for transparency and fairness around members’ access to telework with entrenched language in the collective agreement that would guarantee those rights. Telework is here to stay at CBSA and the agreement should reflect the new reality of work.

The team also called for an end to contracting out with a proposal that indicates only unionized members are authorized to do work for CBSA. The employer has already contracted out work done by our inland enforcement members, made dramatic changes at ports of entry, and exploited the use of student workers, putting Canadians’ safety at risk and resulting in worsening wait times.

Finally, the bargaining team discussed their proposal to ensure CBSA recognizes and respects the seniority of workers who request to permanently work shifts at different ports, including ports in other regions. As is too often the case, there is currently no transparency with this process. Workers need new protections as management has proven time and time again they can’t be trusted.

PSAC-CIU files complaint with labour board 

CBSA recently made unilateral changes to our members’ working conditions, including telework, contracting out FB duties, ArriveCAN, and designated paid holidays. PSAC-CIU didn’t agree to these changes and believes they’re illegal.

As a result, PSAC-CIU filed an unfair labour practice complaint with the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board against the employer for violating its obligation to maintain working conditions and bargain in good faith.

Next steps 

Wage proposals will be submitted at a future session once the employer provides payroll data. The team will return to the table in November.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.