Maternity leave, contract duration, retroactive pay and more: PSAC has published answers to frequently asked questions about the recent tentative agreement for the PA group, and for common issues.
FAQ: Tentative agreement for PA group, common issues
Tag Archives: PA
PA, EB, TC groups ratification votes: What you need to know
PSAC members in the PA, EB and TC bargaining units will soon have an opportunity to vote on their respective tentative agreement.
PA bargaining update: Significant progress made, negotiations extended
After two weeks of discussions at the bargaining table, significant progress was made on contract negotiations for common issues, PA group – PSAC’s largest bargaining unit – and Phoenix damages. Negotiations are still ongoing, and both the employer and the union team have decided to extend negotiations this week in order to reach a deal.
PSAC will provide an update to members shortly thereafter.
The original version of this article was first posted on the PSAC website.
Bargaining to resume for 100,000 PSAC members
After months of pressure from PSAC and its members, the federal government has agreed to return to the bargaining table.
Negotiations for 70,000 federal public service workers in the PA group – PSAC’s largest bargaining unit – will resume with Treasury Board June 23 to July 3. It will include Treasury Board common issues and Phoenix damages.
Bargaining will also resume for nearly 30,000 members at Canada Revenue Agency the week of July 6.
“Elsewhere in Canada, the need to provide stability and fair compensation to public service workers during this pandemic was recognized months ago – provinces, municipalities and large employers across the country have been negotiating and settling contracts,” said PSAC National President Chris Aylward. “It’s high time the federal government did the same for their employees.”
Throughout the pandemic, PSAC members have been on the front lines battling the virus and delivering emergency financial support to millions of Canadians. They continue to provide critical services despite not having a new contract or wage increases in up to four years.
They also continue to endure Phoenix pay issues and have yet to be fairly compensated for their financial hardships.
“The government has clearly listened to the more than 15,000 PSAC members who wrote to them in recent weeks urging Treasury Board to get back to the table,” said Aylward. “It shouldn’t take that kind of pressure to get back to negotiations, but I’m grateful to our members for supporting our bargaining teams in such large numbers.”
“And it’s a welcome change to see the government – during National Public Service Week no less – move from kind words about our members, to action,” added Aylward. “Now they have to show up with a mandate to reach a fair settlement without any more delays.”
Updates for other Treasury Board bargaining units will be coming soon.
The original version of this article was first posted on the PSAC website.
Strike votes for PA, SV, TC & EB bargaining units begin March 16
PSAC National President Chris Aylward has authorized strike votes for members of the PA, SV, TC and EB bargaining units following the release of the Public Interest Commission (PIC) report last week.
More than 90,000 members of the four bargaining units will have an opportunity to vote at strike meetings to be held from March 16 to May 7, 2020. Strike votes for the 27,000 members of the Canada Revenue Agency bargaining unit are already underway.
“PSAC bargaining teams need a strong strike mandate from members to force Treasury Board to come back to the bargaining table with a new mandate so that we can get a fair settlement quickly,” said Aylward.
Aylward noted that the Public Interest Commission (PIC) report on common issues made it clear that to reach a deal the government will need to offer PSAC members more Phoenix compensation and a wage increase in line with the cost of living. The report also highlighted the need to address compensation gaps and recruitment/retention challenges for those groups that are underpaid relative to comparable groups inside or outside the federal public sector.
The government’s current offer falls short on all fronts. They have yet to table wage increases that would ensure rises in the cost of living are met, and their Phoenix compensation proposal remains meagre and unequal across the public service.
“The threat of a strike will give the employer the nudge it needs to avoid more disruption during their minority government,” said Aylward.
“That’s why we urge all PSAC members to vote yes.”
In the coming weeks members will receive notices of strike vote meetings via email and through your locals and regional offices. The information will also be posted on the front page of the national website, as well on PSAC regional websites.
Please check out the following link if you would like more information on strike votes and strike action. We’ll be adding more information in the days ahead to answer a wide range of questions so make sure to check back.
The original version of this article was first posted on the PSAC website.