Phoenix and tax implications

As tax season approaches, many PSAC members are concerned about the effects of Phoenix pay problems on their taxes.

If you have questions about the tax implications of an overpayment or underpayment, or about your T4, here are two useful links:

Source: http://psacunion.ca/phoenix-and-tax-implications

Update on Parks Canada National Classification Review

Since 2007, the Union of National Employees has dedicated staff and resources to deal with approximately 2,750 grievances related to job content, job classification and acting pay for Parks Canada employees. These grievances are the result of generic job descriptions rolled out to workers since 1999. As our convention cycle nears its end this August, we are optimistic that after so many years, we will finally have closed or settled all cases. Below is a chart of the remaining groups being assessed.

If you have any questions about the progress of the project, please contact Michelle Brunet at 613-560-2680.

 

Group Total grievors Files being assessed Files at PSAC Files closed/settled
CVH Coordinator ll

PM-04

 

6

 

1

 

0

 

5

 

CVH Supervisory

PM-03, PM-02

 

15

 

0

 

1

 

14

Warden l

GT-03

 

9

 

0

 

0

 

9

Warden ll

GT-04

 

19

 

12

 

0

 

7

Res Con Specialist l

GT-05

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

1

Res Con Specialist ll

GT-06

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

1

Res Con Fire Specialist

GT-04

 

3

 

0

 

3

 

0

Heritage Presentation Specialist l

GT-03

 

2

 

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

2

 

Group Total grievors Files being assessed Files at PSAC Files closed/settled
Heritage Presentation Specialist ll

GT-04

 

3

 

0

 

0

 

 

3

Heritage Presentation Specialist lll

GT-05

 

3

 

1

 

 

0

 

2

Education Specialist

PM-05

 

1

 

 

0

 

0

 

1

Visitor Service

GS-MPS-04

 

32

 

2

 

0

 

30

Material Management

GS-STS-04

GS-STS-06

PG-01

PG-02

 

10

 

0

 

0

 

10

Information Technology

CS-01, CS-02

 

8

 

2

 

0

 

6

Information

Services

SI-01,SI-02,

SI-03, AS-02

 

9

 

2

 

1

 

6

Unique Work

DD-04, EG-03

EG-04, EG-05, EG-06

 

10

 

6

 

 

2

 

2

 

UNE Human Rights Award

At the Union of National Employees much of what we do would not be possible without the tireless work of our many volunteers. That is why I am proud to take this opportunity to extend a sincere thanks to those members who have made a significant contribution through union activism.

Our human rights awards are presented to individuals who  have achieved outstanding and exemplary conduct in the promotion of human rights.

If your Local wishes to nominate a member, please refer to the criteria on the UNE website at http://en.une-sen.org/what_we_do/awards/hra_crit_e.pdf .  The application form can also be found on the UNE website at http://en.une-sen.org/what_we_do/awards/hra_app_e.pdf .   Please ensure that you follow the criteria carefully and that complete the application form correctly.

The deadline for receipt of applications is  June 30.  The Human Rights award will be presented at the 2017 UNE Triennial Convention this August.

In solidarity,

Doug Marshall
National President
Union of National Employees, PSAC

UPDATED – SV bargaining team reaches tentative agreement with Treasury Board

After four days of mediation, PSAC and Treasury Board have reached a tentative agreement for the Operational Services (SV) Group, which covers almost 10,000 federal public service workers. The deal includes the significant breakthroughs on “common issues,” such as sick leave and workforce adjustment, that were negotiated by the common issues committee last December.

“It is through the hard work and commitment of the members of our SV bargaining team, along with the steadfast support and solidarity from the bargaining unit members, that we were able to reach this agreement,” said PSAC National President Robyn Benson.

“Some progress was made towards achieving a key demand of equal pay with similar workers in the private sector and public sectors,” said Benson. “However, our bargaining team members remain disappointed that the government has not agreed to fully implement the results of a joint pay study commissioned in 2014.

“We are recommending acceptance of this agreement because we believe it is the best we can achieve at this time. Ultimately it will be up to the members to decide.”

Monetary gains

SV members will receive economic wage increases of 1.25 per cent per year for four years starting in 2014. The union also achieved market and wage adjustments of between 0.5 per cent and 15 per cent, as well as increases to some allowances.

Common issues need to be implemented at all tables

The issues agreed to in December between the employer and the common issues committee, composed of members from all five Treasury Board tables, need to be accepted by each specific table. The SV bargaining team has formally accepted the work of the common issues committee, which covers sick leave and the workforce adjustment appendix.

Sick leave

  • The sick leave articles of our collective agreements will remain unchanged.
  • The parties have negotiated a Memorandum of Agreement to establish a Task Force to develop recommendations on measures to improve employee wellness and reintegration of employees.
  • Any future enhancements to the regime would need to be negotiated and agreed to by both parties.
  • PSAC’s four principles are included in the MOA: sick leave provisions will be contained in the collective agreement, provide for wage replacement, protect and grandfather sick leave banks, and will not be administered by a third-party provider. Any enhanced sick leave regime shall contain, at minimum, these four principles.

Workforce adjustment appendix

  • What we achieved represents the most significant improvements in workforce adjustment since it was first signed as an appendix into PSAC collective agreements in 1998.
  • Changes will reduce involuntary layoffs by allowing volunteers to come forward to leave the public service during times of workforce adjustment.
  • Employees will now have up to fifteen months to find an alternation match.
  • More union involvement, ensuring employees have the right to union representation during the process.
  • Limits to contracting out.
  • Improvements to the monetary provisions, including the education allowance and transition support measures.

Helping workers meet family demands

A committee will be established to look at childcare needs. Better family leave, including provisions that are more respectful and inclusive of Indigenous cultures, have also been negotiated.

Other notable gains

The Memorandum of Understanding that established the Task Force on Mental Health in the Workplace is also contained in this agreement. The mandate of the task force includes identifying ways to reduce and eliminate the stigma associated with mental health issues, improving communication on mental health challenges in the workplace, and implementing the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. The parties came to an agreement on the MOU earlier in the bargaining process, in 2015, and the task force has been hard at work ever since.

Further information about the settlement will be provided in the near future.

Source: psacunion.ca

UNE Lifetime Membership Award

This letter serves as a reminder that all Union of National Employees Lifetime Membership applications must be received by the National President no later than March 31.

The lifetime membership is the highest honour the Union of National Employees can bestow. Traditionally, it is awarded to recognize union activists who have made outstanding contributions and rendered exceptional service to the welfare of the Union of National Employees or who would otherwise lose their membership when they retire or leave their job.

If your Local wishes to nominate a member, please refer to the criteria on the UNE website at http://en.une-sen.org/what_we_do/awards/LM_crit_e.pdf .  The application form can also be found on the UNE website at http://en.une-sen.org/what_we_do/awards/LM_app_e.pdf .  Please ensure that you follow the criteria carefully and that you fill in the application form correctly.

Should the recipient wish to receive his or her award at a UNE national function, please indicate this clearly in your correspondence.

In solidarity,

Doug Marshall
National President
Union of National Employees, PSAC

Court order says government must work with unions to fix Phoenix

As a result of legal action from PSAC and 12 other unions representing federal government employees, the Liberal government must work with the unions to resolve the Phoenix debacle.

The court order requiring the government to fix Phoenix, and help employees who have faced hardships because of the pay system’s failures, is now available online.

What it means for public service workers

The government is now obliged to provide better access to help for people on disability, maternity, and parental leave. It also requires them to maintain the staffing resources necessary to resolve the on-going pay problems.

This means the government must act and work with the unions to find concrete solutions to fix Phoenix.

The Court case is still on-going

We will continue to fight for justice. PSAC and the other unions will head back into court if the government does not work with us to fix the problems caused by Phoenix.

Sign up to PSAC’s newsletter to get the latest news on Phoenix.

 Source: www.psacunion.ca

UNE Local Activist Award

At the Union of National Employees much of what we do would not be possible without the tireless work of our many volunteers. That is why I am proud to take this opportunity to extend a sincere thanks to those members who have made a significant contribution through union activism.

The Local Activist Award recognizes outstanding contributions made by a Local activist in their workplace to advance the interest of fellow members.

If your Local wishes to nominate a member, please refer to the criteria on the UNE website at http://en.une-sen.org/what_we_do/awards/HM_crit_e.pdf .  The application form can also be found on the UNE website at http://en.une-sen.org/what_we_do/awards/HM_app_e.pdf .   Please ensure that you follow the criteria carefully and complete the application form correctly.

The deadline for receipt of application is  April 1, 2017.  Should the recipient wish to receive his or her award at a UNE National function, please indicate clearly.

In solidarity,

Doug Marshall
National President
Union of National Employees, PSAC

PSAC Life Membership

At the Union of National Employees, and at the Public Service Alliance of Canada, much of what we do would not be possible without the tireless work of our many volunteers. That is why I am proud to take this opportunity to extend a sincere thanks to those members.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada Life Membership award is the highest recognition that can be given to a member for outstanding service to the members of the PSAC.

Nominations may be made by the National Executive of this component or by the Public Service Alliance of Canada’s National Board of Directors.  Please complete the application form and enclose a complete service history of the individual. Please pay careful attention when completing the work history, union activities and include dates on the application form. The eligibility criteria and application form can be found on the PSAC website at http://psacunion.ca/eform/submit/life-member-nomination-form

The deadline for the submission of applications  to be considered in any one calendar year is November 30th.

In solidarity,

Doug Marshall
National President
Union of National Employees, PSAC

2017 High School Scholarships

This letter serves as a reminder that all Union of National Employees High School Scholarship applications must be received by the National President no later than March 31, 2017.

The High School Scholarship program awards ten scholarships in the amount of $1,000 – one from each region – to students in their last year of high school who are about to pursue post-secondary education.

These scholarships are designed to highlight union principles, as well as promote our union and the labour movement in a positive way. The scholarships aim to create awareness of our union within high schools and provide financial assistance to worthy students. This initiative will encourage youth to become more involved in union and social justice activities.

The criteria for the High School Scholarship program can be found on our website, at http://en.une-sen.org/what_we_do/hea/hs_scholarship_crit_e.pdf  and the application form can also be found on our website, at http://en.une-sen.org/what_we_do/hea/hs_scholarship_app.pdf .  Please ensure that you follow the criteria and complete the application form correctly.

In Solidarity,

Doug Marshall
National President
Union of National Employees, PSAC

PSAC Award of Merit for Members

Greetings,

At the Union of National Employees, and at the Public Service Alliance of Canada, much of what we do would not be possible without the tireless work of our many volunteers. That is why I am proud to take this opportunity to extend a sincere thanks to those members.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada’s Award of Merit for members was established as an acceptable method to recognize members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada who have rendered service of the greatest distinction and of singular excellence in any field of endeavour, benefiting the PSAC or its members.

Applications for the Award of Merit may be sponsored by a Local, a Component or a member of the National Board of Directors. Please complete the application carefully. The eligibility criteria and application form can be found on the PSAC website at http://psacunion.ca/eform/submit/psac-award-of-merit-for-members

The deadline for the submission of applications to be considered in any one calendar year is November 30th.

In solidarity,

Doug Marshall
National President
Union of National Employees, PSAC