Following a detailed presentation by Director of Finance and Administration Christina Hatchard on Day 1, which provided an update on USJE’s financial position, convention delegates discussed the proposed 2026-2029 operating budget.
During Director Hatchard’s presentation, she outlined USJE’s strong financial position and took time to explain the key assumptions used in developing the budget, including carefully considered projections for membership levels, salary growth, inflation, and investment returns.
Overall, owing to adept financial management and a steady growth in membership, USJE has been in a position to make investments that support enhanced labour relations and vigorous campaigns, as well as the regular funding required to support the Regional Vice-President program and operations and staff at the national office. At the same time, USJE’s investment portfolio grew in value. The proposed budget, debated by delegates, seeks to strike a balance in terms of holding steady when it comes to current union dues, while also recognizing there is likely to be some modest impacts on USJE’s membership numbers owing to Workforce Adjustment Measures.
Delegates discussed the extent to which USJE should rely on investment income to help fund the organization’s day-to-day operations. Questions were also raised about where USJE’s funds are invested, and delegates were informed that the investment portfolio is heavily focused on Canadian companies. In the end, delegates approved the 2026-2029 budget, which maintains current dues levels and provides resources to further strengthen USJE’s labour relations, communications, policy, and campaign work.
Throughout the rest of the day, USJE delegates considered concurrent resolutions from the Finance, Bylaw, and General Committees. Some highlights of resolutions that were approved by the USJE 2026 Triennial Convention were:
- Improvements to the Disability Insurance Program Appeal Process: Delegates voted to have PSAC lobby the Treasury Board to ensure the Disability Insurance Program Board of Management (DIPBOM) is properly funded and staffed so appeals can be decided within three months. Currently, appeals can take 12 to 18 months due to a high volume of cases and inadequate resources. These delays can leave members without income after LTD claims are denied, causing significant financial hardship and, in some cases, forcing them to return to work before they are medically ready. Delegates agreed that faster appeals are essential to ensure members receive timely decisions and support. A friendly amendment changed the resolution’s reference from the “federal government” to the “Treasury Board.”
- Establishment of a One-Day USJE Women’s Conference Every Three Years: Delegates voted in favour of the establishment of a USJE Women’s Conference to be held as a one-day event that would precede the USJE National Equity Conference, helping to ensure equity, leadership, empowerment, and engagement goals are achieved during the upcoming triennial cycle.
- Establishment of a National Strategic Bargaining Fund: Delegates approved the creation of a separate National Strategic Bargaining Fund to support USJE’s advocacy efforts at PSAC National Bargaining Conferences. Recognizing that collective bargaining is a core union function, delegates agreed that additional resources are needed to help advance USJE members’ priorities, strengthen advocacy on key bargaining issues, and improve the chances of electing USJE members to the four bargaining teams. To establish the fund, delegates approved a special levy that will remain in place until the fund reaches $75,000, at which point contributions will cease.
Other Resolutions Considered by Delegates:
- Finance:
The Finance Committee recommended concurrence for the following resolution: Resolution 39 – Update to Meals and Incidental Expenses rates for the next three years. Carried.
- Bylaw:
The Bylaw Committee proposed for the consideration of Convention delegates the following resolutions:
- Resolution 4 – Bylaw 6 updated to include Law Commission of Canada. Carried.
- Resolution 6 – Bylaw 6 updated to remove Commissioner of Canada Elections. Carried.
- Resolution 2 – Regulation 7 standardizes the delegate entitlement for each local or section which is in line with other USJE conferences and conventions. Carried.
- Resolution 11 – Delegates voted in favour of Locals being able to send representatives to the USJE Regional Bargaining Conferences. Bargaining is at the core of USJE, and it is important for all locals to have members take part in the bargaining process. This resolution would remove financial barriers to participation. Carried.
- Resolution 13 – Delegates agreed that once per three-year cycle, each 1st Alternate RVP be invited to attend and observe in person, should they be available to attend in person, a National Executive Meeting for two full days at the discretion of the National President, and that the costs related to this participation be covered by USJE National Executive. Carried.
- Resolution 14 – Bylaw 6 updated to include RVP economic increase based on PA table (current practice). Carried.
- Resolution 7 – USJE to establish and maintain a separate National Strategic Bargaining Fund to be used solely for the support of USJE advocacy efforts at PSAC National Bargaining conferences. Carried.
- Resolution 5 – Bylaw 3 updated to mirror PSAC’s constitution in relation to rights, entitlements and privileges of honourary members. Carried.
- Resolution 3 – This resolution clarified the means in which locals shall elect their delegates for regional conferences. Carried.
- General:
The General Resolutions Committee proposed unanimous concurrence for the following resolutions:
- Resolution 29 increases all PSAC strike pay rates, including those for part-time employees and workers in the territories, by 30% and adjusts the corresponding maximum weekly payments accordingly. Carried.
- Resolution 21 requires PSAC to provide support to members during the workers’ compensation claim review process and update its resources to ensure members are aware of available assistance before filing or appealing WCB claims. Carried.
- Resolution 20 calls on PSAC to lobby the Treasury Board to provide sufficient funding and staffing to the Disability Insurance Program Board of Management so that Long-Term Disability appeal decisions are made within 3 months. Carried.
- Resolution 19a calls on PSAC to develop a lobbying strategy aimed at reforming staffing legislation and regulations to increase transparency, accountability, and job security for employees. Carried.
- Resolution 30 calls on PSAC to launch a renewed campaign to pressure the federal government to fully resolve ongoing Phoenix pay system issues through lobbying efforts and public awareness initiatives. Carried.
- Resolution 18 calls on PSAC to develop and implement a lobbying strategy to advocate for improvements to the FPSLREB’s structure and resources, with the goal of reducing grievance backlogs and ensuring members receive timely access to adjudication. Carried.
- Resolution 28 directs the PSAC National Board of Directors to review the process for electing Treasury Board bargaining team members to improve democratic participation and ensure fair representation of PSAC components, with recommendations to be considered before the next bargaining conference. Carried.
- Resolution 17 calls on PSAC to develop and implement a lobbying strategy to push the federal government to amend the Access to Information Act, the Privacy Act and related regulations so that members receive responses to access requests in a more timely manner. Carried.
The General Resolutions Committee proposed non-unanimous concurrence for the following resolutions:
- Resolution 32 directs USJE to adopt a gender-inclusive alternative to terms such as “brother” and “sister,” with the National Executive responsible for researching and selecting the new term of address. Carried.
- Resolution 24 requires PSAC to avoid holding training sessions, conventions, conferences, and similar events on weekends whenever possible, and to provide participants with 25$ per hour compensation when attendance at official weekend events is required. Not carried.
- Resolution 36 amends PSAC’s travel policy to reimburse members for eligible domestic pet care costs incurred while attending authorized union events, helping reduce financial barriers to participation. Not carried.
- Resolution 27 increases the PSAC strike pay allowances by 10% across all regions of Canada to help offset inflation and maintain financial support for members during strike action. Carried.
- Resolution 23a establishes a one-day USJE Women’s Conference held in conjunction with the National Equity Conference to promote leadership, empowerment, and engagement among female-identifying members. Carried.