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PA bargaining: Team proposes leave improvements, more flexible hours

September 24, 2021

The Program and Administrative Services (PA) bargaining team discussed expanding a range of leave options and flexible hours of work during talks with Treasury Board September 21-23.

The bargaining team proposed several improvements, including:

  • Enhancing sick leave by increasing the amount of sick leave that can be advanced to members as well as limiting when a medical note may be requested, while ensuring the employer covers any associated fees.
  • Expanding leave for family-related responsibilities by increasing the hours provided. This would be applicable to care for any family member, along with care for children whose daycare or schools have closed. The proposal would also remove the cap of 7.5 hours for legal appointments and specify that the leave can be used to visit a terminally ill family member.
  • Expanding bereavement leave by increasing the number of days provided in the event of the death of a family member. The proposal would also allow employees to benefit from bereavement leave in the event of a miscarriage and in the event of the death of an aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, sibling-in-law, or a person for whom the employee was on compassionate care leave.
  • Expanding the possibility for flexible working arrangements by allowing employees to request flexible hours between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
  • Strengthening injury on duty leave by requiring that a certified workers’ compensation authority determines the length of leave rather than individual managers, who do not have the same expertise or impartiality.

The PA team returns to the table October 25-28. The common issues table will meet  September 27-29.

PSAC is committed to pushing for a fair deal that addresses the issues raised by members at the National Bargaining Conference, and rejecting any concessionary proposals from the employer.

Show your support

Meet your bargaining team,  learn why they got involved in this round of negotiations and show your support with our bargaining graphics:

Stay in touch

Please be sure to keep your contact information up to date via the member portal to receive all the latest updates as we negotiate your next contract.

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EB group: Team discusses expanded leave, flexible work

September 21, 2021

The Education and Library Science (EB) bargaining team focused on expanding a range of leave options and potential flexible work arrangements during talks with Treasury Board September 14-16.

Expanding leave options

The bargaining team proposed several improvements, including:

  • Enhancing sick leave by increasing the amount of sick leave that can be advanced to members, and limiting when a medical note may be requested while ensuring the employer covers any associated fees.
  • Expanding leave for family-related responsibilities by increasing the hours provided. This would be applicable to care for any family member, along with care for children whose daycare or schools have closed. The proposal would also remove the cap of 7.5 hours for legal appointments and specify that the leave can be used to visit a terminally ill family member.
  • Strengthening injury on duty leave by requiring that a certified workers’ compensation authority determines the length of leave rather than individual managers, who do not have the same expertise or impartiality.
  • Providing leave for medical appointments to those with chronic medical conditions, since these members may struggle to access time off for medical needs and resort to using vacation leave.

Flexible work arrangements

Treasury Board is exploring non-traditional working hours for employees. PSAC welcomes this initiativeand will ensure that any change to hours of work is implemented fairly, made accessible to as many members as possible, and entirely voluntary. Any change must also respect members’ health and safety and right to disconnect.

The EB team returns to the table November 8-10. The common issues table will meet on September 27-29.

Show your support

Meet your bargaining team, learn why they got involved in this round of negotiations and show your support with our bargaining graphics:  

Stay in touch  

Please be sure to keep your contact information up to date with the member portal to receive all the latest updates as we negotiate your next contract. 

Source: EB group: Team discusses expanded leave, flexible work | Public Service Alliance of Canada (psacunion.ca)

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TC group: Team discusses flexible work, health and safety

September 17, 2021

The Technical Services (TC) bargaining team met with the Treasury Board September 14-16 to continue negotiations.

Only non-monetary issues were discussed this round. The bargaining team is looking to make progress on these important issues before moving into discussions around wages and other monetary changes.

Some issues the bargaining team is prioritizing include:

  • Maintaining flexibility for hours of work to ensure members have numerous options to do their work. Members have shown resilience and dedication to their work throughout the pandemic and should have maximum flexibility going forward.
  • Improving health and safety for all members by including clear language ensuring that the employer is obligated to provide personal protective equipment to employees, and that they also provide proper training for workplace health and safety representatives.
  • Language protecting members who blow the whistle on wrongdoing. The existing whistleblower system does not adequately protect members who report wrongdoing in the workplace. All members should be protected from reprisals in such situations.
  • Occupational Group Structure (OGS) because getting a fair and modern classification system is at the root of getting members paid fairly for the work that they do. The OGS is the first step of this process. 

The bargaining team expects to meet with the employer again in the fall. They are firmly focused on getting a strong and fair deal for all TC members. 

Show your support

Member support through this process is critical to our success. Meet your bargaining team and learn why they got involved in this round of negotiations. And show your support with our bargaining graphics: 

Please be sure to keep your contact information up to date via the member portal to receive all the latest updates as we negotiate your next contract. 

Source: TC group: Team discusses flexible work, health and safety | Public Service Alliance of Canada (psacunion.ca)

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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Eligibility for the new statutory holiday

August 31, 2021

In June, the federal government passed new legislation  making September 30 a national statutory holiday commemorating National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The designation of this day is in response to one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action and is meant to honour survivors, their families, and communities. It also ensures the ongoing commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools will remain a vital part of the reconciliation process.

This new designated paid holiday applies to federally regulated public and private sectors — specifically, the federal public service and employers subject to the Canada Labour Code.

PSAC’s collective agreements negotiated with the federal government include provisions for an additional designated holiday if one is proclaimed by an act of Parliament. As a result, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will become a designated paid holiday and will allow employees in the federal public service and federally regulated workplaces to observe and participate in this important day.

Employees eligible for this new statutory holiday do not need to request leave. It will be treated like any other statutory holiday. If September 30 is a non-working Saturday or Sunday, employees will be given the day immediately preceding or following the holiday.

Unfortunately, the new holiday does not apply to provincially regulated employers unless a provincial legislature makes similar amendments to provincial employment standards legislation.

Source: http://psacunion.ca/national-day-truth-and-reconciliation-eligibility?fbclid=IwAR0-M-OEz9SLCmdo1DgcPUbusbZE3nUtH8BLwFnRL7fSYa5pYrC0stfdPXE

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Federal vaccination requirements: No policy until after federal election

August 24, 2021

In a recent meeting with PSAC and other federal public service bargaining agents, Treasury Board committed to ongoing consultation in the development of a vaccine requirement framework.

The employer has confirmed that no new policy will be implemented until after the current federal election.

PSAC remains in support of vaccination requirements to protect the health and safety of our members and their communities. Throughout the consultation process, PSAC will ensure the protection of members’ rights in the workplace, as well as their right to privacy.

We will continue to provide updates as the federal government develops its vaccination requirements plan. 

Source: Federal vaccination requirements: No policy until after federal election | Public Service Alliance of Canada (psacunion.ca)

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Public service workers shouldn’t be disciplined over vaccination requirements

August 17, 2021

This week, national political party leaders have made concerning statements about disciplining or terminating federal public service workers who choose not to be vaccinated as part of the government’s vaccine mandate proposal.

PSAC supports vaccination requirements for federal workers to ensure the safety of our members in their workplaces, and to protect our communities, but using discipline and termination to enforce them is unacceptable.

PSAC has been in in consultation with the federal government on their vaccination proposal, and our position is clear: employees with a valid medical reason for being unvaccinated, or for reasons protected by human rights legislation, must be offered a formal accommodation under the law.

In addition, if there are workers who are unable or unwilling to be vaccinated, the government must temporarily reassign those employees to other duties where possible, or allow for alternate work arrangements such as remote work.

Where required, other measures should be explored, including regular screening and rapid testing.

PSAC will continue to play an active role in consultations as the federal government develops its vaccination requirements plan. We will do our utmost to ensure the safety our members while protecting their rights in the workplace – including their right to privacy.

Source: Public service workers shouldn’t be disciplined over vaccination requirements | Public Service Alliance of Canada (psacunion.ca)

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Phoenix damages : new timelines and taxation appeal

August 17, 2021

The federal government has updated its Phoenix general damages webpage with new timelines for current PSAC members and former and retired members: 

  • PSAC members working for the federal public service who did not receive general damages as part of their March 3 pay can expect to receive the full lump-sum payment in September 2021.
  • Former and retired PSAC members will have access to the claims process for general damages in December 2021. The government will provide more details closer to the launch.

Taxability of Phoenix general damages 

PSAC maintains that general damages paid to all employees for “stress, aggravation, and pain and suffering” for the impacts of the Phoenix pay system and the late implementation of collective agreements are non-taxable, contrary to the opinion issued by the Canada Revenue Agency. To ensure a prompt resolution of this dispute impacting thousands of members, PSAC has proposed to CRA that both parties jointly request that the dispute be resolved by the Tax Court. This would expedite the process and avoid a vast number of individual appeals. We will provide updates as they become available.

Out-of-pocket expenses and severe losses 

As part of the Phoenix damages settlement, the government must provide a new claims process for current and former members who experienced out-of-pocket expenses and severe personal and financial impacts due to Phoenix. Though we are disappointed that a process is not yet available, we expect a new timeline shortly and will update you accordingly.

Please be sure to keep your contact information up to date via the member portal to receive all the latest updates on PSAC’s Phoenix settlement. 

For more information about Phoenix damages, please check out our FAQ. 

Source: Phoenix damages : new timelines and taxation appeal | Public Service Alliance of Canada (psacunion.ca)

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UNE Multiculturalism Day – August 14

August 13, 2021

In 2011, at the Union of National Employees’ (UNE) Triennial a resolution was passed, with no challenges that allowed UNE members to observe August 14 as UNE’s Multiculturalism Day.

The intention behind this resolution was to foster a sense of pride, continued pride in UNE’s commitment to the rights of all of its members. More particularly, recognizing UNE’s contributions in the Human Rights arena, and more importantly acknowledging its very own Human Rights Committee and the work accomplished within that committee. 

Canada as a country of diverse peoples and cultures celebrates Multiculturalism Day on June 27; however, UNE has gone a step further. As a union aware of its privilege, its place and its the role in the lives of its diverse membership, UNE has allocated another day whereby its membership, through its regional and Local representatives, is reminded to encourage the celebration of diversity throughout the rank and file of its Regions’ membership.

Let us as union comrades, UNE members, commemorate August 14 as a day to herald the diversity of our membership and celebrate our achievements, especially those won under the umbrella of Human Rights. A re-commitment to this day, August 14, as UNE’s Multiculturalism Day needs to be established and encouraged; always with focus, for with all that we have accomplished is as far as we still need to go.

Hayley Millington
UNE National Equity Representative for Racially Visible People