Tag Archives: SV

Union members that stick together, win together

Over the next few weeks, we could be headed towards a national strike for more than 155,000 federal public service workers. As strike votes wrap up on April 7 for  Canada Revenue Agency members and April 11 for Treasury Board members, it’s important to know what that means for federal public service workers.

In the event of a strike, all members in the PA, SV, TC and EB groups and working at Canada Revenue Agency will be required to take strike action and attend a picket line, whether you work in the office or remotely – except a small percentage of workers who’ve already received letters deeming their position essential.

Here’s why it’s imperative that we all show solidarity with one another and do not cross a picket line:

  • This is a truly historic moment for workers. Together, we wield incredible power and can shut the government down to secure a fair contract.
  • A strike by PSAC would be one of the largest strikes in Canada’s history, and mean real gains for our members at the table;
  • When we work together, we apply maximum pressure on the government, which can lead to a shorter strike and a better collective agreement for workers.
  • When we’re divided, we show the employer we aren’t prepared to fight for decent wages and better working conditions.

We are aware that some departments and managers are sharing information that encourages PSAC members to continue working in the event of a strike. This is a union-busting tactic that aims to undermine our efforts to secure a fair agreement for all workers — including wages that keep up with the rising cost of living and don’t force you to take a pay cut.

Any member who works during a strike, including working remotely, betrays the entire bargaining unit. Crossing a picket line, whether in person or remotely, weakens our bargaining position and can cause the strike to last longer or result in a deal that’s less than workers deserve. It could also have long-term impacts on the working relationships between the coworkers who held the line and made sacrifices to get a good deal for everyone, and those who sided with the employer.

Members who cross the picket line by performing work for the employer could face fines and suspension of membership privileges.

If your manager is encouraging you to cross the picket line, notify your union steward, local executive, or PSAC regional office immediately.

As a union, we are committed to protecting the rights of our members, and ensuring your voices are heard and your demands are met. But the union is only as strong as the solidarity of the members. If we stick together, we can secure a historic victory for all PSAC members.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

SV group: PIC report gives little direction

PSAC has received the Public Interest Commission (PIC) report affecting more than 10,000 members in the SV group. Hearings concluded in November and unfortunately, similar to the TC PIC report, the report provides no clear direction other than a recommendation that both parties return to the bargaining table.

Read the PIC report

The report confirms what we have been saying for over a year since bargaining began in June 2021: If Treasury Board wants a deal, then they need to come to the table with a mandate that properly addresses wages and market adjustments.

Real power of bargaining is with members   

Strike votes will be conducted from February 22 to April 19, 2023 and after the conclusion of PIC reports for the EB and PA bargaining groups PSAC would be in a legal position to take strike action if the membership has voted in favour of doing so.

Register for upcoming SV group townhalls    

National virtual townhall meetings are being held for PSAC members in Treasury Board bargaining groups. Register for SV townhall meetings taking place on January 31, February 1, and February 2.

Stay informed and engaged  

Keep your contact information up to date to receive all latest bargaining updates.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

PA, SV, TC & EB members: Register now for national virtual townhalls on bargaining

PSAC members in the EB, PA, SV and TC groups are invited to attend national townhall meetings to get the latest updates about bargaining with Treasury Board as we work to secure a fair contract for 165,000 federal public service workers.

Throughout this round of bargaining and at Public Interest Commission (PIC) hearings that wrapped up before the holidays, we’ve seen how the federal government has refused to address any of our key issues at the table, including fair wages, better work-life balance, addressing racism and discrimination and protecting good, secure jobs.

What to expect at the townhalls? 

You will hear from members, researchers, and negotiators from your national bargaining team about the latest bargaining updates and how we’re escalating our actions across the country to reach a fair deal. You will have an opportunity to ask questions and share your concerns.

This is your chance to learn how your bargaining team is fighting for a fair contract, and how you can support them.

All townhalls will have simultaneous English and French interpretation.

Need to find out which bargaining at group you are in? Consult your collective agreement or use this tool.

EB townhalls

PA townhalls

SV townhalls

TC townhalls

Stay informed and engaged 

Getting involved and taking action are key as we push for a fair contract. Be prepared, get mobilized, stay engaged, and be ready to take action:

Keep your contact information up to date to receive all the latest bargaining updates.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

SV group: PIC hearings wrap up as PSAC prepares to escalate actions if necessary

The Public Interest Commission (PIC) hearing conducted by the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board for the SV group was held on November 28-30, as well as on December 8. The parties also met in mediation, but without any success. The bargaining team and employer both presented their positions and are now awaiting a decision from the PIC.

Our bargaining team will determine next steps once the PIC report is received. If an agreement cannot be reached during the PIC process, PSAC members should be prepared to continue escalating our actions to reach a fair contract, including taking strike action if necessary.

Stay informed and engaged

Getting involved and taking action are key as we push for a fair contract. Be prepared, get mobilized, stay engaged, and be ready to take action:

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

SV bargaining: No movement from government on key issues in mediation

After a week of mediation, Treasury Board made no effort to find common ground in bargaining with our more than 10,000 SV group members, refusing to budge on any key issues, especially when it came to fair wages and market adjustments.

The employer’s revised wage offer was initially proposed during Common Issues mediation in September, and would average 2.06% per year over a four-year agreement. Treasury Board held fast to this wage offer during mediation October 11-14.

The SV team proposed that, in the event that the parties are unable to come to an agreement on market adjustments at the bargaining table, the issue be sent to binding arbitration. However, the employer rejected this proposal.

Our team made it clear: closing the gap between SV members’ wages with those in similar positions outside of the federal public sector is the number one priority in this round of negotiations. Unless the government comes back to the table with a new mandate, we will continue to push for this issue to be sent to arbitration or we’ll be forced to settle the dispute on the picket lines.

Government stalling negotiations

Treasury Board seems intent on delaying negotiations and dragging their feet on our most important issues, setting back our members who have been without a new contract since June 2021. In response, PSAC has launched both in-person and online strike training for our more than 165,000 federal public service workers to ratchet up the pressure on the government to bargain fairly.

PSAC will now raise these issues at Public Interest Commission hearings, to be scheduled this fall by the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board. If an agreement cannot be reached during the Public Interest Commission process, PSAC members should be prepared to continue escalating our actions, up to and including taking strike action if necessary to reach a fair contract.

Stay informed and engaged

Getting involved and taking action are key as we push for a fair contract. Be prepared, get mobilized, stay engaged, and be ready to take action:

Keep your contact information up to date to receive all latest bargaining updates.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.