Tag Archives: PA

Government Delaying Signing of New PA, EB, TC & SV Collective Agreements

PSAC has been pushing the government to sign four collective agreements by the end of May, but the employer is insisting they won’t be ready until mid-June at the earliest. These agreements, covering over 100,000 workers, were ratified by the membership in votes that concluded in April.

PSAC still waiting for drafts of agreements

At this time, the final drafts of the agreement for the Program and Administrative Services (PA) Group and the agreement for the Education and Library Science (EB) Group are just about finalized. PSAC has yet to receive the draft agreements covering the Technical Services (TC) and Operational Services (SV) Groups, even though the employer has had months to get the drafts ready. We are committed to reviewing the draft agreements and replying to the employer in less than three days.

Members have waited long enough

These agreements, which took over two and a half years to negotiate, do not go into effect until they are signed. PSAC believes our members, who have also spent the last year dealing with the Phoenix pay system debacle, have waited long enough. We are continuing to pressure the employer to make this a priority and sign these agreements signed as soon as possible.

A version of this article was also published on the PSAC website.

FAQ Regarding TC, SV, EB & PA Tentative Agreements and Retro Pay

Questions about the various tentative agreements for the TC, SV, EB and PA Groups? Click on the following links to get answers to frequently asked questions, or see below for a general FAQ on retro pay.

TC Group tentative agreement FAQ
SV Group tentative agreement FAQ
EB Group tentative agreement FAQ
PA Group tentative agreement FAQ

FAQ on Retroactive Pay for TC, SV, EB and PA Groups

When will the deal come into effect?

If a majority of members vote “yes” in the ratification vote, PSAC will meet with the employer to sign your new collective agreement. With the exception of wages, which are retroactive, the new negotiated provisions come into effect on date of signing, unless otherwise specified.

Who will get back pay (retroactive pay) for the negotiated economic increases?

PA: The new collective agreement is retroactive to June 21, 2014, expiring June 20, 2018. This means that you are entitled to back pay for the period of time you were employed and a PA member from June 21, 2014.
EB: The new collective agreement is retroactive to July 1st, 2014, expiring June 30, 2018. This means that you are entitled to back pay for the period of time you were employed and a EB member from July 1st, 2014.
TC: The new collective agreement is retroactive to June 22, 2014, expiring June 21, 2018. This means that you are entitled to back pay for the period of time you were employed and a TC member from June 22, 2014.
SV: The new collective agreement is retroactive to August 5, 2014, expiring August 4, 2018. This means that you are entitled to back pay for the period of time you were employed and an SV member from August 5, 2014.

When can I expect the employer to pay the retroactive pay?

The employer has 150 days from the date of signing to implement the provisions of the new collective agreement, including adjusting rates of pay and issuing retroactive pay.

Are increases to allowances retroactive?

Increases to allowances are not retroactive. The employer has 150 days after the date of signing to implement the changes and issue payment of the allowances.

Parts of this article was originally published on the PSAC website.

Update on Ratification Meetings for the TC, PA, SV and EB Bargaining Units

PSAC’s tentative agreements with Treasury Board covering the TC, SV, PA and EB bargaining units will only take effect if they are ratified in a vote by the members. These tentative agreements cover workers from coast to coast to coast.

Hundreds of ratification meetings, which include information sessions, will take place across the country up until April 13. Over 73,000 PSAC members are currently eligible to vote. We encourage participation in this important exercise of union democracy.

When and where to vote

Important information about the dates and locations of ratification meetings is available through the PSAC regional offices and their websites, which will be updated regularly:

Who can vote

Every member in good standing who is covered by these agreements has a right to vote in the ratification process. If you are eligible to become a member of PSAC, but have not previously signed a membership card, you will be provided with an opportunity to sign one at the ratification vote meeting and will then be able to vote.

Ratification kits

More information

Please see the FAQ about the ratification process posted on the PSAC website.

Part of this article was originally published on the PSAC website.

Information on Ratification Votes for TC, PA, SV and EB Groups

As announced previously, tentative agreements have been reached by the PSAC bargaining teams with Treasury Board for the TC, SV, PA and EB groups. These agreements will only take effect if they are ratified in a vote by the members. Ratification meetings that include information sessions will take place across the country from February 20 to April 13.

Every member covered by these agreements has a right to vote in the ratification process. Further information regarding the ratification process is available on the PSAC website, including the various ratification kits:

Specific information regarding ratification meetings and where to vote is available through the various PSAC regional offices and their websites. You should also review the FAQ about the ratification process posted on the PSAC website.

What about the FB Group?

Unfortunately, due to the refusal of Treasury Board and CBSA to address FB Group priorities, no tentative agreement has been reached and the bargaining process for the FB Group is now at an impasse. As a result, the PSAC has filed for a Public Interest Commission (PIC). For more information on the next steps regarding FB Group bargaining, please see this post.

Part of this article was originally published on the PSAC website.

FAQ about the PA Group Tentative Agreement

When will we vote on the deal?

PSAC is currently preparing the ratification kits for the PA membership. These kits will explain the changes that were negotiated and why our PA Bargaining Team is recommending that members accept this tentative agreement. Information meetings will be held across the country so that PA members can hear from a Bargaining Team member and ask questions prior to casting their ballot on the tentative agreement. Given the size and diversity of the PA membership, the ratification vote process takes approximately six to eight weeks to conclude. Information on ratification meetings will be shared via the PSAC national and regional websites when it becomes available.

Ratification votes are being planned for the near future. Check the PSAC National Union’s website for planned dates and sign up for email updates to stay informed.

When will the deal come into effect?

Who will get back pay (retroactive pay) for the negotiated economic increases?

The new collective agreement is retroactive to June 20, 2014, expiring June 20, 2018. This means that you are entitled to back pay for the period of time you were employed and a PA member from June 20, 2014.

When can I expect the employer to pay the retroactive pay?

The employer has 150 days from the date of signing to implement the provisions of the new collective agreement, including adjusting rates of pay and issuing retroactive pay.

Who will get the signing bonus?

As part of your economic package for this tentative agreement, a $650 signing bonus will be given to any employee who is a member of the PA bargaining unit on the date of signing of the new agreement. The employer has 150 days after the date of signing to pay the bonus.

If I retired recently or left the PA bargaining unit, will I get the signing bonus?

Unfortunately, no. The signing bonus is only given to members of the unit who are employed in the PA bargaining unit on the date of signing.

If I am eligible for either the Compensation Advisor Allowance or the Correctional Service Specific Duty Allowance, will the increase be retroactive?

Increases to allowances are not retroactive. The employer has 150 days after the date of signing to implement the changes and issue payment of the allowances.

A version of this article was originally published on the PSAC website.