Posted on

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

Posted on

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)

Posted on

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)

Posted on

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)

Posted on

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

Posted on

Emancipation Day – August 1

July 29, 2021

Slavery was abolished throughout the British Colonies via an act for the abolition of slavery that was given Royal Assent on August 28, 1833 and took effect on August 1, 1834. The act abolished enslavement in most British colonies, freeing over 800,000 enslaved Africans in the Caribbean, South Africa as well as Canada.

Many Commonwealth countries have acknowledged and designated this day as Emancipation Day. On August 1, 2021, for the very first time Canada will recognize this day. It comes on the heels of a unanimous vote in Parliament on March 24, 2021.

Emancipation Day is an opportunity for Canadians to learn about Canada’s role in the slave trade as well as providing the chance to acknowledge the systematic racism and discrimination that has led to multi-generational trauma affecting the lives of Black Canadians up to this present day.

Despite the fact that slavery has been abolished since 1833, it has left an endowment of systemic practices of racism and discrimination; barriers that Black Canadians encounter in their daily lives. The legacy of enslavement speaks to the fact that the work to eradicate anti-Black sentiments. It includes racist rhetoric and practices continuing almost 200 years after the end of slavery as an institution.

Oftentimes, Canadians are not always aware that the history of Black people in Canada is one that includes enslavement and that those who fought against the practice of slavery were pivotal in shaping Canada as a nation. Descendants of the African diaspora continue to add to the mosaic of Canada’s diversity through their cultures and traditions, their involvements and contributions, achievements and innovations, as well as through their leadership.

We all have a role to play in lending our voices and efforts to the dismantling of the systemic barriers faced by Black Canadians. It is important to educate and to include the history of Blacks in Canada, ensuring that this is captured in the history books, and that it is taught in schools as part of the curriculum. Change is tantamount to our minds and to our hearts as we navigate the process of healing, as communities, individuals and as a nation.

Jamaican musician Bob Nesta Marley, who was also an advocate for the rights of Black people, and spoke up against poverty and western oppression sang,

‘’Emancipate yourself from mental slavery

None but ourselves can free our minds”.

As activists and citizens of the world, we should all be prepared to align ourselves, in allyship or leadership, in the forefront of this fight for true equality and inclusion in all aspects of life. As such, I invite our Union members and leaders alike to reflect, educate and involve yourself in the ongoing fight against anti-Black racism and discrimination.

Hayley Millington
UNE National Equity Representative for Racially Visible People

Posted on

Labour board approves application to combine SSO bargaining units

July 14, 2021

Earlier this year, PSAC and the employer submitted a joint application to the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board (FPSLREB) to combine the two Statistical Survey Operations (SSO) bargaining units. The FPSLREB approved the application on June 10, 2021, and we are awaiting the official certificate.

The ruling combines the Regional Offices and Field teams into one bargaining unit. The consolidated unit will provide an opportunity to negotiate a better contract for 1,950 SSO members and give us greater strength in numbers.

PSAC met with the employer to continue negotiations for a consolidated collective agreement in May and July. Our next scheduled meeting is August 17-18 and then again in September, though the dates have not yet been confirmed.

Sign up to our mailing list, read our frequently asked questions section on SSO bargaining and the merger, or check our SSO page for the latest updates. 

Source: Labour board approves application to combine SSO bargaining units | Public Service Alliance of Canada (psacunion.ca)

Posted on

Update on Phoenix damages implementation

Current PSAC members working for the federal public service received general damages as part of their March 3 pay. However, several issues remain outstanding: 

  • former PSAC members — including retirees — are still waiting for their general damages payments 
  • current and former members who experienced out-of-pocket expenses or severe losses due to Phoenix are still waiting for the launch of a new claims process
  • the Canada Revenue Agency’s decision to tax the general damages payment

General damages for former and retired PSAC members 

Despite requests to accelerate the delivery of general damages payments for former and retired members, the government has set out to make the process available by the fall of 2021. We are disappointed by this lengthy implementation period. However, following pressure by the union, the government has indicated that eligible former members will be provided a more precise timeline for when they will be able to apply for damages payments by the end of July. We will update you at that time.

The government has also updated its general damages webpage so that former members can access forms and resources specific to PSAC members. Previously, former members reported receiving incorrect information, intended for members of other unions, via the government’s website.  

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. The government has also targeted fall 2021 as the deadline to finalize the process and make it available to members. At PSAC’s urging for more clarity on timelines, the employer has agreed to provide a more detailed timeline by the end of July. We will update you at that time. 

Taxability of Phoenix general damages 

PSAC maintains that general damages paid to all employees for “stress, aggravation, and pain and suffering” and for the late implementation of collective agreements are non-taxable. We continue to explore all legal avenues to reverse CRA’s decision to tax general damages paid to members and will provide updates as they become available.

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: http://psacunion.ca/update-phoenix-damages-implementation