Many Passport members have recently received notification of changes to their position classification.
We understand that this news has raised many questions and concerns. Like you, we are concerned about the impact these changes may have on our members.
We are actively reviewing the information we receive, evaluating all available options, and determining the most appropriate course of action.
We are fully aware of the deadlines associated with this process and are actively working within those timelines.
Help Us Build the Strongest Possible Case
Every member’s situation is important.
To help us better understand the scope of the issue and gather the information we need, we ask affected members to complete the form below as soon as possible.
Pride season is in full swing, and PSAC has put together a comprehensive calendar of Pride events happening throughout the regions. We encourage everyone to explore the listings and take part in the celebrations, marches, and community gatherings happening near you.
If you’re planning to participate in a Pride event this year, and would like to give away UNE promo items (flags, temporary tattoos, or stickers) during events, please send an email to communications@une-sen.org.
Let’s celebrate together, uplift our communities, and continue advocating for equality and inclusion across all regions.
Between June 7 and June 11, 2026, UNE committee members gathered in Gatineau at the Hilton Lac‑Leamy for the pre‑Convention committee meetings. Over several focused days, delegates rolled up their sleeves and began the essential work that ensures Convention runs smoothly.
These meetings are where every resolution submitted by UNE members nationwide is reviewed, debated, prioritized, and prepared. The work done here allows delegates in August to make informed decisions that will shape the future of our union.
Convention Committees
Three committees met in June:
Finance Committee, General Committee, and the Constitution & Bylaws Committee.
Across all three committees’ members examined the resolutions submitted by locals and members across the country. Their responsibilities included:
Reviewing each resolution carefully
Debating concurrence or non‑concurrence
Analyzing impacts on UNE’s structure, operations, and members
Prioritizing resolutions so Convention delegates can debate them efficiently
Preparing clear recommendations for Convention 2026
While the Finance Committee also receives resolutions, their primary responsibility was developing the UNE budget for the next three years. Their focus was to build a budget that ensures UNE can deliver everything its members need to function effectively.
All committees work will be shared at Convention.
Delegates at Convention will vote in August for each resolution in the order of priority prepared by the committee. The thoughtful preparation done in Gatineau ensures that debates will be organized, informed, and grounded in the needs of the membership.
Who Serves on These Committees
Committee members were selected by UNE’s current Deputy Trustee and PSAC Vice‑President, Alex Silas, with a clear goal: representation that reflects the full diversity of UNE. All members of the committee will be Convention.
Delegates included voices from:
Every UNE region
Equity groups
A wide range of workplaces
With all perspectives in one room, the union becomes more balanced, more representative, and better equipped to address the real needs of its members.
Throughout the week, delegates considered how each resolution would strengthen UNE, support members, and position the union for the future. They asked important questions:
Would this proposal help build a more effective organization?
Does it support members equitably?
Will it help UNE remain strong, stable, and member‑driven for years to come?
Our Journey to Convention 2026
The debates have begun, the groundwork has been laid, and momentum is building. Delegates at Convention will make the final decisions in August, but the collaborative work completed between June 7 and June 11 has already shaped the path forward.
The future of our union starts here—through the careful, democratic, member‑driven work of Convention committees. Thanks to the dedication of UNE members from across the country, that future is already taking shape.
The 2026 UNE Triennial Convention—taking place August 24 to 28—marks an important and encouraging moment for our Component.
This Convention represents a meaningful step forward in rebuilding UNE’s democratic structures. While trusteeship remains in place, Alex Silas, PSAC National Executive Vice-President and the UNE Trustee appointed by PSAC’s National Board of Directors (NBoD), has expressed confidence based on engagement with rank-and-file members and regional leaders that UNE is moving in a positive direction, with strong signs of progress and renewed engagement from members.
The upcoming elections are a key part of that ongoing journey.
We are happy to announce that elections will be held during 2026 UNE Triennial Convention on Thursday, August 27. National elections will take place on the Convention Floor and Regional elections will take place during regional caucuses.
National elections will be chaired by Alex Silas as Convention chair and Trustee. Regional elections, which may run concurrently in different caucuses, will be chaired by qualified individuals selected by the Trustee. A nomination committee of delegates to Convention will be struck shortly to review nominations forms.
National Elections
Delegates will elect the following National positions:
National President
National Executive Vice-President
National Vice-President, Human Rights
National Vice-President for Occupational Health and Safety
1st Alternate National Executive Vice-President
2nd Alternate National Executive Vice-President
Assistant National Vice-President, Human Rights
All-Candidates Debate
The All‑Candidates Debate for all national positions listed above will take place on Wednesday, August 26.
Regional Elections
Regional elections will take place during regional caucuses. Delegates will elect:
Regional Vice-President
1st Assistant Regional Vice-President
2nd Assistant Regional Vice-President
3rd Assistant Regional Vice-President when applicable
Regional Human Rights Representative
1st Alternate Regional Human Rights Representative
2nd Alternate Regional Human Rights Representative
Alternates to the PSAC Convention(regions may elect as many alternates as they wish)
These caucuses ensure strong, representative leadership across all UNE regions and help shape UNE’s voice at the PSAC Convention. The agenda of the week of Convention including caucus will be shared soon.
An email will be sent to all locals shortly. If you are running for any elected office, you are encouraged to familiarize yourself with the following Policies and Bylaws to ensure democratic and fair elections:
This year’s elections carry special significance. The decision to proceed with elections was not taken lightly by the UNE Trustee, it reflects the progress UNE has made in rebuilding its democratic structures and strengthening the organization.
Over the past months, UNE has seen increased engagement and confidence from members and locals. More local are in conformance thanks to hard work of Deputy Trustees and UNE staff, who worked together to make improvements and support locals in their rebuilding efforts. UNE staff processes have strengthened, and important work in areas such as representation services has continued to move forward.
These positive developments have contributed to renewed confidence in UNE and establishing positive conditions to conduct a full and fair electoral process. The upcoming elections mark an important milestone in the union’s ongoing renewal and demonstrate continued progress toward a strong, accountable, and member-driven Union of National Employees.
Delegates will play a central role in choosing the leaders who will guide UNE through its next chapter and build on the momentum achieved to date.
While there is still work ahead, the return to a full electoral process is a strong sign of momentum and confidence in UNE’s future.
This month is also an opportunity to reflect, learn, and recommit to reconciliation and the advancement of Indigenous rights. Meaningful reconciliation begins with awareness and action, and each of us has a role to play.
One way to take action this June is to deepen your understanding of Indigenous histories, rights, and realities. PSAC’s online course, Walking in Our Truth Together, was developed in collaboration with Canadian Geographic and invites you to explore treaties, Indigenous law, residential schools, MMIWG, and more, at your own pace.
We also encourage everyone to explore resources from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and consider making a personal or professional commitment aligned with the TRC’s Calls to Action.
Convention is the highest decision‑making body of our union. Every three years, delegates from across the country come together to review our By‑Laws and Policies, debate resolutions, and approve the budget that guides UNE’s work. In a regular cycle, Convention is also when delegates elect the National Executive.
This year, delegates will carry out the same important Convention work. Because UNE is currently placed under Trusteeship, the election for the National Executive may take place at a later date. If that happens, only members who are accredited as delegates for the 2026 Convention will be able to vote — even if the vote occurs on a different day. This Convention is especially important. The decisions we make in August 2026 will help set the foundation for how we rebuild and move forward as a strong, member‑focused union. Your involvement — whether as a delegate, a resolution writer, or an engaged member — truly makes a difference.
Union of National Employees: A Union Like No Other
We represent over 23,000 members working in 73 different workplaces, with as many collective agreements. Our members work in the public sector, the private sector, and the non‑profit sector. They work in every region of this country — and even around the world.
This diversity is one of our greatest strengths. But it also means that democracy is essential to how we function. We need voices from every workplace, every region, and every type of job to help shape the decisions that affect all of us.
That’s why your participation matters so much.
And that’s also why we extended the registration deadline — because not all Locals have sent someone yet, and we don’t want anyone to miss the opportunity to take part in the Convention that represents you.
What Happens at Convention
In August, delegates work together to make decisions that guide UNE for the next three years. They will:
Debate and vote on resolutions submitted by group of members
Approve the budget that sets our priorities and supports our activities
These decisions shape how we support members, how we grow, and how we continue building a strong, inclusive union.
Why Your Resolutions Matter
Resolutions are one of the most important tools members have to influence the direction of UNE.
A resolution is simply an idea or proposal for change. It can be something you want to improve, something you want to add, or something you want the union to do differently.
Every resolution submitted is reviewed by the appropriate Convention Committee before the Convention:
Convention is where we come together to make decisions that shape the future of UNE, and an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow activists and build lasting relationships. Whether you’re attending as a delegate, submitting a resolution, or simply learning more about the process, your involvement strengthens our union.
PSAC’s legal challenge against Treasury Board’s regressive and discriminatory changes to 699 leave for federal public service workers is set to begin October 19.
In June, PSAC filed a policy grievance after the government tightened its guidelines around when public service workers can use “Other Leave with Pay” (699 leave) to fulfill child care needs during the pandemic.
The new policy fails to recognize that some parents may have to keep their children at home for legitimate reasons despite the availability of schools or child care. For example, some parents may choose to keep their children at home to protect members of their household who suffer from underlying health conditions that make them vulnerable to COVID-19 symptoms.
PSAC will meet with the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board in order to determine the scope of the policy grievance and set dates for the hearing.
PSAC made it clear that the new policy adversely impacts women who continue to bear a disproportionate burden of domestic responsibilities including child care, eldercare and household operations. It could also result in discriminatory outcomes for people with disabilities and people with family obligations, violating both members’ collective agreements and the Canadian Human Rights Act based on family status, sex and disability. The Canadian Human Rights Commission has also notified the Board that it intends on making submissions on this issue.
The proposed policy amendments would result in a patchwork of unfair outcomes for public service workers and give managers too much discretion in applying the policy.
PSAC pushes back against the use of sick leave for COVID-19
PSAC will also be contesting language in the policy that says employees who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or who self-isolate would be required to use available sick leave instead of 699 leave if they are unable to work.
This egregious change to the policy is discriminatory to public service workers and flies in the face of sound public health advice. Without the availability of a vaccine, and with many parts of Canada entering a second wave of the pandemic, Treasury Board’s proposed changes are premature and inconsistent with the current public health crisis.
There is also no evidence that employees have abused 699 leave during the pandemic. In fact, the Parliamentary Budget Officer has reported that 699 leave in the federal public service has been used modestly and cost very little. And as departments adapted to working from home, the number of employees forced to use 699 leave dropped by 84 per cent from April to June.
PSAC is committed to ensuring that our members, and in particular, women, caregivers and those with disabilities, continue to have the necessary support and leave with pay they need during the pandemic.
PSAC is advocating to roll back changes that the government made to its reporting of federal pension costs because they make the cost of the plan volatile.
Pension accounting decisions can profoundly impact the path that governments take when determining the affordability and viability of workers’ pensions. The accounting changes in question, made in 2018, valued pre-2000 pension liabilities in a way that falsely assumed all these liabilities would have to be paid off that year. In a recent submission to the federal government, PSAC suggests a fair accounting method to better reflect the pension plan’s real cost.
PSAC members are the primary beneficiaries of both the Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) and of the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP). Combined, these two plans represent the largest proportion of employee pension and other future benefit costs reported by the federal government. As a result they are frequently targeted by fiscal conservatives who constantly clamour for public service spending cuts.
The union’s submission to the Department of Finance argues that pensions are in fact deferred wages that members earn throughout their careers. The pension and benefits that government workers receive when they retire are not a tax-payers’ gift, but rather an earned employment right. Pensions must be treated as a long-term obligation by the employer, however, the government’s chosen accounting methods make the pension plan appear more costly than it truly is based on short-term market fluctuations. PSAC is calling on the government to choose valuation and reporting methods that are both transparent and fair.
Your union will always push to ensure that your pension is safe, secure and well-funded.
Read our submission to the federal government here.
On July 23, PSAC’s EB bargaining team reached a tentative agreement with Treasury Board. The bargaining team unanimously recommends ratification of the new agreement.
The ratification kit which includes the full text of the tentative agreement is now available for download.
Members will soon be invited to participate in an online ratification process. Details will be shared as soon as they are available.
On July 9, PSAC’s PA bargaining team reached a tentative agreement with Treasury Board. The bargaining team unanimously recommends ratification of the new agreement.
The ratification kit which includes the full text of the tentative agreement is now available for download.
Members will soon be invited to participate in an online ratification process. Details will be shared as soon as they are available.
