Tag Archives: TC

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.

TC group: PIC report offers no guidance

A Public Interest Commission (PIC) report has been issued for the TC group following the hearing held on December 9, 2022. Unfortunately, the report provides no substantive guidance aside from recommending that the bargaining team should continue to negotiate.

Read the PIC report 

However, the federal government has refused to budge, including on an employer wage offer that would deliver a pay cut to nearly 11,000 federal public service workers in the TC group at a time of record high inflation and a looming recession.

Under the law that governs contract negotiations in the federal public service, a PIC is established to help the parties reach an agreement once impasse is declared at the bargaining table. This PIC has clearly not moved the needle with the employer and has delayed negotiation for TC group members.

We have seen the same kind of slow progress across other tables from Treasury Board since the beginning of negotiations in June 2021.

Despite recent public statements from Treasury Board, there has been no agreement to return to the bargaining table. There’s no doubt the best way to reach a fair contract is at the table. But it’s becoming clearer every day — reaching a fair agreement with this government is going to take a strong strike mandate from our members. Workers can’t wait.

Register for upcoming townhalls 

At the end of January, you will have three opportunities to meet with members, researchers and negotiators from your national bargaining team to ask questions, share your concerns, and hear about how your team is escalating actions across the country to reach a fair deal.

Your support is key to our success as we negotiate your new contract during this round of Treasury Board bargaining and continue to fight for fair wages, work-life balance, good, secure jobs and inclusive workplaces. Keep your information updated for the latest bargaining news, download our bargaining toolkit to stay informed and engaged, and sign up for strike training to be prepared.

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.

TC group: no progress on key demands following mediation

Following a week of mediation, the federal government continues to refuse to budge on its wage offer that would deliver a pay cut to nearly 11,000 federal public service workers in the TC group who are facing record high inflation and a looming recession.

This 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 with the TC group, October 17-21.

TC negotiators made it clear that the current offer is unacceptable, and that a fair contract offer is necessary.

Yet the government is demanding concessions and made no move to resolve key issues for TC group members, including the large number of group-specific allowances that we are proposing to ensure that our members are fairly compensated.

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 the Public Interest Commission (PIC) hearings conducted by the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board. PIC dates have been set for Common Issues, November 28 to December 1, and for the TC group on December 9.

If an agreement cannot be reached during the PIC 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.