RCMP Civilian Members: update on wage increases, deeming and dues

As part of the collective agreement PSAC secured for Treasury Board units during this round of bargaining, the $2,500 pensionable lump-sum payment and wage increases should have now been issued for all eligible PSAC members in the PA, SV, TC, and EB groups, including “pay-matched” RCMP Civilian Members (CMs).

PSAC and the Union of Safety and Justice Employees are aware that some members pay-matched with the EG-06 classification have not received the additional pay-grid adjustment related to their position. After discussions with the RCMP and Treasury Board, we can confirm that these salary rates will be updated as soon as programming is completed in the pay system. Members who have not received their retroactive pay yet are expected to be paid out in 2024.

The negotiated wage increases total a minimum of 12.6% compounded over the life of the agreement from 2021-2024, retroactive to 2021 when the previous contracts expired. PSAC also secured a pensionable $2,500 one-time lump sum payment that represents an additional 3.7% of salary for the average PSAC member in Treasury Board bargaining units.

As well as wage increases that prevent workers from falling further behind, PSAC negotiated new and improved remote work language.

Full summary of the improvements gained in the new collective agreements:  

Deeming and negotiations

Treasury Board has confirmed to PSAC that the deeming process has been suspended indefinitely and there is presently no intention on the employer’s part to proceed with deeming. PSAC plans to survey CMs in the new year to clarify how this is affecting the workplace and seek direction from the membership.

Negotiations for transitional provisions on behalf of the 600 RCMP Civilian Members in PSAC-represented groups are ongoing. PSAC and the USJE are looking toward a fair resolution that fully integrates CMs into existing collective agreements.

In the meantime, members’ existing terms and conditions – including vacation and sick leave – are still frozen as part of the memorandum of understanding PSAC secured, until an agreement or an arbitrated settlement is reached.

Dues collection and representation

As jointly agreed to by PSAC and USJE, now that the Treasury Board collective agreements are in place for the PA, TC, SV and EB groups and newly negotiated wage rates have been implemented, dues collection for CMs in those groups is expected to begin in the new year.

The bulk of PSAC dues are allocated to negotiate strong collective agreements, adjudicate grievances filed by members against their employers, and provide education courses on a wide range of topics for members. In addition, dues are spent on communication, political action (such as lobbying all levels of government for legislation that benefit workers), organizing initiatives, and support for community partners.

The PSAC constitution acknowledges the right of members who haven’t started paying dues yet, but who have signed a PSAC membership form and are waiting for their first collective agreement to be reached or signed, to run for and be elected to union office. CMs are encouraged to play an active role in our union.

Civilian Members are reminded they continue to be able to rely on PSAC and USJE for representation in workplace disputes per the RCMP grievance process which, in the absence of a transitional agreement, is still in place as per the RCMP Act.

Contact your USJE regional vice-president if you have any questions.