Tag Archives: PA

Negotiations with federal government continue as a potential strike for 155,000 workers looms

Icone discussion PSAC-AFPC

Over the past two weeks our bargaining teams have been back at the table with the assistance of third-party mediators to secure a fair contract for workers.

This is a critical time in the bargaining process, and it’s encouraging that talks are continuing into the weekend. PSAC will be holding a press conference on Monday, April 17 at 9 a.m. ET to provide an update on the status of negotiations with Treasury Board and Canada Revenue Agency on behalf of more than 155,000 federal government workers.

Members can watch the livestream of the press conference on our PSAC national Facebook page, and we’ll continue to keep you up to date on the status of negotiations on our website, social media, and by email.

Our priority remains to secure a fair contract for PSAC members that addresses our key issues, including decent wages that prevent workers from falling further behind, a more inclusive federal public service, remote work enshrined in our collective agreements, and good secure jobs.

More than 155,000 PSAC members across Treasury Board and Canada Revenue Agency are now in a legal strike position. A strike by PSAC’s federal public service workers would be the largest strike against a single employer in Canada’s history.

This is the government’s last opportunity to show workers the respect they deserve. Workers can’t wait, and we’re ready to take strike action.

Check your email regularly for more information about strike pay, PSAC’s picket line finder, and other strike-related information in the coming days as we prepare for potential strike action.

Visit our frequently asked questions for more information about strike action and strike pay.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

Receive your PSAC strike pay via Interac e-transfer

Here’s what members in the TB bargaining units should know about registering for Interact e-transfer for the PSAC strike pay.

Q: I received an email with the subject line: Strike pay: sign up for e-transfer. Is this an official email from PSAC? 

Yes. This is an official email from PSAC, to ask you to register for strike pay to be transferred securely through e-transfer with your personal e-mail address. The email is unique to each member and linked to their individual PSAC ID. It cannot be forwarded to other members.

Q: If I do not provide an e-mail address for an e-transfer, will I continue to receive strike pay? 

Yes, you will still receive strike pay. If we do not have your consent and preferred e-mail address, your strike pay will be processed by cheque and distributed to the PSAC region you are in to pay you when you are on the picket line with PSAC members.

Q: I deleted the email by accident, what should I do? 

Nothing. If you received the email, that means you are already in our membership database, and we will be re-issuing the email on Thursday, April 13 for members who have not yet signed up.

Q: I did not receive this email, what do I do? 

This means we may not have your personal e-mail address to communicate with you. You can add your email through PSAC’s member portal. You will not be able to use an email that was forwarded to you by another member because the original email is unique to each member and linked to their individual PSAC ID.

Q: Can my regional office re-send the e-mail directly to me? 

Yes, Regional Office staff can re-send emails directly. We strongly encourage members to have updated contact information through the member portal.

Visit our member portal to keep your contact information up to date.

Q: What is strike pay? 

For more about Treasury Board bargaining and strike pay, check our FAQ about Treasury Board Bargaining.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

120,000 Treasury Board members secure strike mandate

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) has received a strike mandate from members in the Program and Administrative Services, Operational Services, Technical Services, and Education and Library Science bargaining groups, which collectively represent more than 120,000 federal government workers employed by Treasury Board.

“The cost of living has hit highs we haven’t seen in 40 years, and people are struggling. Every day, we see that our dollar doesn’t go as far at the grocery store or at the gas pump,” said Chris Aylward, PSAC national president. “Today, PSAC members are sending a clear message that they won’t be taken for granted, they won’t fall further behind, and they’re ready to fight for better.”

The strike mandate follows nationwide strike votes that took place from February 22 to April 11, and comes on the heels of the strike vote mandate announced last week for 35,000 PSAC-UTE members working at the Canada Revenue Agency. A strike by PSAC members working for the federal government would be the largest against any single employer in Canada’s history.

“Our members won’t take the decision to strike lightly. They know that a strike will be difficult for them and for the Canadians who depend on the services they provide,” said Aylward. “But they’re exercising their bargaining power because they just can’t wait any longer. Their bills can’t wait. Their families can’t wait. None of us can.”

PSAC is the largest federal union representing federal public service workers, including workers who got vital new financial aid programs like CERB and emergency business loans up and running for Canadians in record time during the pandemic. They’re also cleaners and cooks on military bases, clerks and maintenance workers, tradespeople, Coast Guard search and rescue teams, teachers, firefighters and the people Canadians rely on to help process employment insurance, passport applications and immigration documents.

Negotiations between PSAC and Treasury Board began in June 2021, but reached impasse in May 2022. The two sides met again during mediation in September and Public Interest Commission (PIC) hearings in December before a PIC report was issued in February with non-binding recommendations.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

Union members that stick together, win together

Over the next few weeks, we could be headed towards a national strike for more than 155,000 federal public service workers. As strike votes wrap up on April 7 for  Canada Revenue Agency members and April 11 for Treasury Board members, it’s important to know what that means for federal public service workers.

In the event of a strike, all members in the PA, SV, TC and EB groups and working at Canada Revenue Agency will be required to take strike action and attend a picket line, whether you work in the office or remotely – except a small percentage of workers who’ve already received letters deeming their position essential.

Here’s why it’s imperative that we all show solidarity with one another and do not cross a picket line:

  • This is a truly historic moment for workers. Together, we wield incredible power and can shut the government down to secure a fair contract.
  • A strike by PSAC would be one of the largest strikes in Canada’s history, and mean real gains for our members at the table;
  • When we work together, we apply maximum pressure on the government, which can lead to a shorter strike and a better collective agreement for workers.
  • When we’re divided, we show the employer we aren’t prepared to fight for decent wages and better working conditions.

We are aware that some departments and managers are sharing information that encourages PSAC members to continue working in the event of a strike. This is a union-busting tactic that aims to undermine our efforts to secure a fair agreement for all workers — including wages that keep up with the rising cost of living and don’t force you to take a pay cut.

Any member who works during a strike, including working remotely, betrays the entire bargaining unit. Crossing a picket line, whether in person or remotely, weakens our bargaining position and can cause the strike to last longer or result in a deal that’s less than workers deserve. It could also have long-term impacts on the working relationships between the coworkers who held the line and made sacrifices to get a good deal for everyone, and those who sided with the employer.

Members who cross the picket line by performing work for the employer could face fines and suspension of membership privileges.

If your manager is encouraging you to cross the picket line, notify your union steward, local executive, or PSAC regional office immediately.

As a union, we are committed to protecting the rights of our members, and ensuring your voices are heard and your demands are met. But the union is only as strong as the solidarity of the members. If we stick together, we can secure a historic victory for all PSAC members.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

PA, SV, TC & EB members: Register now for national virtual townhalls on bargaining

PSAC members in the EB, PA, SV and TC groups are invited to attend national townhall meetings to get the latest updates about bargaining with Treasury Board as we work to secure a fair contract for 165,000 federal public service workers.

Throughout this round of bargaining and at Public Interest Commission (PIC) hearings that wrapped up before the holidays, we’ve seen how the federal government has refused to address any of our key issues at the table, including fair wages, better work-life balance, addressing racism and discrimination and protecting good, secure jobs.

What to expect at the townhalls? 

You will hear from members, researchers, and negotiators from your national bargaining team about the latest bargaining updates and how we’re escalating our actions across the country to reach a fair deal. You will have an opportunity to ask questions and share your concerns.

This is your chance to learn how your bargaining team is fighting for a fair contract, and how you can support them.

All townhalls will have simultaneous English and French interpretation.

Need to find out which bargaining at group you are in? Consult your collective agreement or use this tool.

EB townhalls

PA townhalls

SV townhalls

TC townhalls

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.