Collective bargaining with Treasury Board resumed this week and PSAC put forward its common proposals for all Treasury Board groups, which cover about 90,000 workers in the federal public service. The proposals focus on addressing the ongoing Phoenix fiasco, pushing back against precarious work, protecting the job security of our members and supporting women and families.
After more than two years of hardships under Phoenix, our members continue to show up to work every day and deliver the services Canadians depend on. PSAC expects this government to negotiate a collective agreement that recognizes the value of their work and their dedication to Canadians.
The following is a summary of the major demands put forward at the common issues bargaining table, which are proposals that encompass the needs of all federal public service workers employed by the Treasury Board.
Phoenix
To prevent another tragedy like Phoenix from ever happening again, PSAC is demanding greater consultation with the union before any technological changes are put in place affecting members.
Terms and temps
PSAC will fight to end the over-use of temporary staffing agencies and ensure that temporary workers have protections under their collective agreements.
PSAC has proposed to include some of the protections contained in the Term Policy, which allows terms to become indeterminate employees after three continuous years of service. We are also proposing that the employer review its use of temporary staffing agencies annually and consult with the union.
Contracting out
We are also putting forward stronger language to protect the work of federal public service workers and reduce the endless stream of private contracts. PSAC’s demands include a proposal that the employer must use existing employees or hire and train new employees before contracting out work. We are also proposing new language to ensure the union is consulted before any contracting out occurs.
Domestic violence leave
Domestic violence impacts work life. The trauma and stress on people who experience domestic violence affects their ability to do their job. For many, the violence doesn’t stop when they get to work. That is why PSAC is putting forward proposals to protect and help workers in these situations.
PSAC proposes to include 10 days of paid leave for workers who experience domestic violence to attend medical appointments, legal proceedings and any other necessary activities. Our proposals also include other protections and accommodations for these workers.
More time for families
It’s very important for new parents to spend more time with their children without the barrier of lost income. That’s why PSAC is proposing that the employer extend the parental leave top up from 37 weeks to the full 63 weeks now available under the new Employment Insurance benefits introduced by Prime Minister Trudeau’s government in 2017.
The team is also proposing improvements to other forms of paid leave, such as vacation leave and others, and adding National Indigenous Peoples Day as a paid holiday.
Treasury Board bargaining groups
Each of the individual Treasury Board bargaining groups also have a set of proposals specific to the needs of their members. A summary and complete list of the proposals are also available for the specific Treasury Board groups: