Author Archives: Pierre St-Jacques

PSAC files Labour Board complaint over flawed hybrid work plan

PSAC logo SCFP

The federal government’s blanket hybrid work plan tramples on workers’ collective bargaining rights and forces a flawed one-size-fits-all approach on a diverse and evolving public service.

PSAC has filing a statutory freeze complaint against Treasury Board and agencies for unilaterally imposing changes to our members’ working conditions while we’re in negotiations for 165,000 federal public service workers. Making changes to working conditions while those very same issues are at the bargaining table is against the law.

In the coming weeks, we’ll also provide guidelines to support members and PSAC components in filing grievances against the government once the policy comes into effect January 16.

You can take action today by sending a clear message to decision-makers that we won’t settle for anything less than a contract that enshrines a fair process for remote work in our collective agreement and provides wages that keep up with the cost of living.

Add your name today

More than 80% of PSAC members surveyed oppose the government’s hybrid work plan and are prepared to take action – including taking strike action – to fight for better work-life balance, fair wages, protections against harassment and discrimination in the workplace and other top bargaining priorities.

Strike votes next step for a fair contract

We’ve seen nothing but disrespect from this government at the bargaining table, and Treasury Board’s senseless hybrid work policy adds insult to injury. It’s becoming clear holding strike votes to secure a strike mandate from PSAC members is the only way we’ll make real gains at the bargaining table. PSAC will be in touch with members in the new year to communicate next steps as we continue to escalate our pressure on the government.

Take a few minutes to fill out our short survey to show your support for ramping up our mobilization activities across the country and, update your contact information to make sure you’re getting all the latest bargaining updates in your inbox or via text message.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

FB bargaining: Telework and shift premium top of mind for the team

Banner-FB-Bannière

Following reports of Treasury Board’s plan to unilaterally change telework agreements, the FB bargaining team used their December 13-15 bargaining dates to remind the employer that modifying working conditions without union consent while in negotiations is prohibited under federal legislation.

After talks wrapped, the federal government announced their direction for all core administration workers to return to the office 2-3 days per week by March 31, 2023. While this doesn’t impact workers at CBSA or other agencies for now, we will continue to emphasize the importance of enshrining telework in our contracts to ensure requests are not unreasonably denied. We also pointed out to the employer that this initiative demonstrates yet again that Treasury Board and CBSA have nothing but disdain for those who work for Canadians day in and day out.

We also addressed our proposals to ensure the introduction of new technology such as PIK machines, E-Gates, and ArriveCAN does not replace trained officers or put  public safety at risk. We support technological change when it supports our work, but that’s often not the case. PSAC has already filed a complaint with the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board regarding this issue.

Finally, the team raised the need for an increase to the shift premium — particularly given PSAC’s recent success negotiating increased premiums for other federal units — and discussed our proposals to streamline the grievance procedure.

We will table wage proposals at a future session once we have received payroll data from the employer.

Next steps  

The team will return to the table again in January. Read our bargaining proposals below:

Please be sure to keep your contact information up to date to receive all the latest updates about bargaining. If you have any questions, please contact your branch president or your PSAC regional office.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

Government must stop flawed hybrid work plan for federal public service workers

PSAC logo SCFP

Despite a week of denials, Treasury Board announced today it would unilaterally impose a restrictive hybrid work policy for all federal public service workers in the core administration.

This blanket policy mandates workers to come into the office 2-3 days per week, or 40-60% of their regular working hours; regardless of the operational requirements of their job.

The policy comes into effect January 16, 2023, and will be fully implemented by March 31. Agencies and separate employers have been urged to put in place similar policies.

The government’s decision doesn’t have the best interest of workers at heart and is completely at odds with the direction the government has been moving towards for remote work.

It’s unacceptable that right before the holidays, workers will be scrambling to make new arrangements for child care, transportation, and possibly relocating if they’ve been hired remotely and are now being asked to come into the office.

We demand that the government halt their plan. PSAC is reviewing all our options in response to this announcement, and will take the necessary steps to protect our members’ ability to work remotely.

Federal public service workers have proven they can deliver the services Canadians depend on, whether working remotely or in the office.

Remote work must be negotiated at the bargaining table 

Remote work is a key issue at the bargaining table for PSAC’s 165,000 federal workers this round of bargaining, and unilaterally changing the terms and conditions of our members’ employment during negotiations is an egregious violation of workers’ collective bargaining rights.

The lack of clarity around the policy raises more questions than answers, and PSAC does not have confidence the government can put in place the health and safety requirements and the necessary tools for all federal public service workers to return to the office in the new year.

Members who have already returned to the office have told us they’ve come into the office without desks or chairs available for them, or returned to empty buildings to spend the entire day on video calls with colleagues working elsewhere.

We will continue to provide updates to PSAC members as we fight to protect our members’ rights.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

Hire more border officers, solve border delays: PSAC and CIU launch national campaign

We count on border officers to keep us safe and secure but chronic understaffing and ineffective technology are making it impossible for workers at the border to do their jobs safely and effectively. Despite efforts to push the government to address staffing issues, this holiday season, travellers will encounter frustrating waits at airports and land crossings.

“Thousands more border officers are needed to keep our borders safe and keep travellers and trade moving efficiently” said CIU National President Mark Weber. “CBSA offices across the country are understaffed and overworked.”

This week, the Public Services Alliance of Canada and its component union, the Customs and Immigration Union, are launching a national campaign to inform Canadians of the reasons for the travel delays, and to encourage decision makers – Members of Parliament and officials at Canada Border Services Agency – to fix the problem by hiring more border officers.

“The federal Liberal government promised to protect our public services and support those who provide them. “said PSAC National President Chris Aylward “We’re ready to see the change they promised. It’s time to fix the problem.”

Take Action Now — Tell the Government of Canada to hire more border officers

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.