On August 12, 2026, USJE National President David Neufeld and RVP JP Surette, along with local union representative Lauren Wilson, toured several divisions and sections of CSC National Headquarters in Ottawa. The purpose of the visit was to speak directly with members about the job cuts resulting from the Comprehensive Expenditure Review and the impact of these cuts on their workplaces and livelihoods.
Many staff at National Headquarters received affected letters as part of this second wave of cuts, bringing with it very real concerns about job security and income stability. USJE believes that while emails and website resources are important, there is no substitute for meeting members face-to-face to discuss their concerns, provide support, and bring workplace issues forward to management.
During the visit, USJE members raised several concerns regarding the Workforce Adjustment process, affected letters, and the lack of information surrounding the
Selection of Employees for Retention or Lay-Off (SERLO). USJE wanted to remind members of the protections that they are afforded through their respective Collective Agreement and that the employer should not be expecting them to do “more with less.”
Reasonably, members wanted assurance that the process used to determine who stays and who goes will be fair, transparent, and unbiased. They expressed frustration with limited communication from management regarding SERLO and are understandably feeling anxious and uncertain about what comes next.
Another major concern raised by USJE members was the increasing workload for those who remain after workforce reductions. With fewer staff expected to perform the same volume of work, many employees are already feeling the stress and pressure of tighter deadlines and additional responsibilities. If this is something you are experiencing, please view USJE/PSAC’s recommendations listed here.
In addition to these concerns, many members highlighted the lack of progress being made at the bargaining table and whether a fair collective agreement can be reached at the bargaining table. USJE representatives explained the bargaining process and encouraged members to stay informed through regular bargaining updates from PSAC, including its website and newsletter.
Members made it clear that they want and expect a fair collective agreement that can help them and their families during these challenging economic times in Canada. To keep members informed and engaged, the local is planning a future meeting to provide a collective bargaining update with the support of a member of the PSAC bargaining team.
National President Neufeld and RVP Surette wish to thank all the members who took the time to speak with them during this visit. They also wish to acknowledge the dedication, commitment, and service of all local executive members of Local 70041 to their membership and our union.