Author: chengh

Taxability of Phoenix damages: Victory for members across the country

In a victory for PSAC members impacted by the Phoenix pay fiasco, PSAC has secured an agreement with the Canada Revenue Agency to treat up to $1,500 of the Phoenix general damages compensation members received in 2021 as non-taxable.  

Under the Phoenix damages agreement negotiated by PSAC in 2020, up to $2,500 in damages was awarded to members who suffered under the Phoenix pay system from 2016 to 2020. PSAC has long stressed that these damages should not have been taxed, and after lengthy deliberations and a Reference filed with the Tax Court of Canada, Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has agreed that a majority of the damages – those specifically allocated to cover the pain and suffering experienced by workers – are not taxable. Revenue Québec is not part of the agreement, but is expected to apply a similar interpretation for members living in Quebec. 

This decision means that members who file or have already filed a notice of objection regarding the taxation of Phoenix damages will be reimbursed the taxes that should not have been deducted from their damages payment in 2021.  

Over the past two years, PSAC has encouraged members to file a notice of objection, or an extension to file a notice of objection. If you did so already, no other action is required at this time.  

All members who have not already filed a notice of objection must file an extension request and notice of objection by April 30, 2024 to be eligible for their Phoenix general damages compensation to be deemed non-taxable.  

Please complete the steps outlined below as soon as possible to avoid missing the deadline. 

How to be reimbursed taxes on Phoenix damages 

Residents outside of Quebec 

If you have not filed an objection with CRA regarding the tax treatment of any Phoenix damages you’ve received, you can still file a request for an extension of time to object and an individual objection regarding the taxability of the $1,500 portion of Phoenix damages for pain and suffering in your 2021 taxation year.  

Should you instead wish to challenge the taxation of the remaining $1,000 for the late implementation of the 2014 collective agreement, you should seek independent tax advice to move forward.  

You do not need to take any action if the following circumstances apply:  

  • You filed an individual objection with CRA to your 2021 tax assessment about the taxability of your Phoenix damages prior to April 30, 2023; or 
  • You filed an individual objection with CRA to your 2021 tax assessment about the taxability of your Phoenix damages and a request for an extension to object after April 30, 2023.  

If the above circumstances do not apply to you, please follow the following steps as soon as possible and no later than April 30, 2024, to preserve your rights:  

Option 1: If you have subscribed to CRA My Account for Individuals, you can choose to file your objection online by following the two following steps: 

Step 1: select the “File a Formal Dispute” option on your personal CRA portal, where you can fill the appropriate information relating to your objection; 

Step 2: once your formal dispute is recorded, the second step is to use the “Submit Documents” option to upload an extension request to accompany your objection.  

Detailed instructions can be found here

Option 2: Alternatively, if you have not subscribed to CRA My Account for Individuals, you may choose to submit your objection by mail or fax. 

Step 1: To do so, fill out a notice of objection and an extension request. Pre-populated forms and detailed instructions can be found here.  

Step 2: Once the forms are printed and filled, you can choose to mail or fax them to the following address or fax numbers. We recommend you send your materials by registered mail to ensure they are received: 

Appeals Intake Centre 
Chief of Appeals 
Appeals Intake Centre 
1050 Notre Dame Avenue 
Sudbury ON, P3A 5C1 

Fax numbers: 
705-670-6649 or 1-866-443-4955 (NL to ON) 
604-587-2672 or 1-866-489-6832 (MB to BC and Territories) 

Quebec residents: How to file a provincial and federal objection 

Members who are Quebec tax residents must, in addition to their federal objection described above, also file a second objection with Revenu Québec – that is, Quebec members must file two separate objections, one with CRA and one with Revenu Québec.  

If you have not filed an objection with Revenu Québec regarding the tax treatment of any damages you received, PSAC urges you to file: a request for an extension of time to object and an individual objection regarding the taxability of the $1,500 portion of Phoenix damages in your 2021 taxation year.  

Should you instead wish to challenge the taxation of the remaining $1,000 for late implementation of the 2014 collective agreement, you should seek independent tax advice to move forward. 

Residents of Quebec do not need to take any action with Revenu Québec if the following circumstances apply:  

  • You filed an individual objection with Revenu Québec to your 2021 tax assessment about the taxability of your Phoenix damages prior to April 30, 2023; or 
  • You filed an individual objection with Revenu Québec to your 2021 tax assessment about the taxability of your Phoenix damages and a request for an extension to object after April 30, 2023.  

If the above circumstances do not apply to you, please follow the following steps as soon as possible and no later than April 30, 2024, to preserve your rights: 

Unlike CRA, Revenu Québec does not accept online objections. You must choose between mailing or faxing your objection. To do so, you must fill out a notice of objection and an extension request.  

Pre-populated forms and detailed instructions can be found here

Once the forms are printed and filled, you can choose to mail or fax them to the following address or fax numbers. We recommend you send your materials by registered mail to ensure they are received: 

Revenu Québec 
3800, rue de Marly 
C. P. 25025, succursale Terminus 
Québec QC   
G1A 0B8 

Fax numbers: 
418-577-5254 or 1-866-374-7286 

Please note that Revenu Québec is not a party to the settlement reached with CRA, and did not commit to offer the same treatment to members who file valid notices of objection regarding the taxation of the Phoenix damages. However, Revenu Québec has treated other objections similarly.  

PSAC members ratify tentative agreements for over 155,000 workers

Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada working for Treasury Board and Canada Revenue Agency have voted overwhelmingly in favour of ratifying their tentative agreements. Members in the PA, SV, TC, EB, and CRA bargaining groups participated in nationwide ratification votes from May 24 to June 16.

The new collective agreements – spanning from 2021 to 2024 – provide wage increases that close the gap with inflation, totaling 12.6% in compounded wage increases over the contract. PSAC also secured the strongest remote work language in the country, better job security for workers and commitments to build safer and more inclusive workplaces.  

“Today, we celebrate our members who showed unwavering commitment and solidarity throughout the bargaining process, and during one of the most pivotal strikes in this country’s history,” said Chris Aylward, PSAC National President. “We fought together and secured important gains that set the bar not only for our members, but for all workers in Canada.” 

Read the details: 

Next steps 

In the coming weeks, PSAC will meet with Treasury Board and CRA representatives to sign the new collective agreements. All non-monetary terms of the collective agreement will come into effect immediately after signing. 

Treasury Board and CRA have 180 days from the date of signing the new collective agreements to raise the pay according to the new rates and provide retroactive pay for the time elapsed since the expiry of the previous contracts.  

EB members ratify new agreement with Treasury Board

PSAC members in the Education and Library Science (EB) bargaining unit have voted overwhelmingly in favour of their tentative agreement, with 97% of ballots cast in favour of the new contract. 

Together, PSAC members held the line during one of the largest national strikes in Canada’s history, winning wage increases that prevent workers from falling further behind, new and improved remote work language, better job security, and safer and more inclusive workplaces. 

The four-year collective agreement for over 1,100 members in the EB group expires on June 30, 2025. 

Highlights of the agreement

Next Steps  

In the coming weeks, PSAC will meet with Treasury Board representatives shortly to sign the new collective agreement. With the exception of monetary provisions, which are retroactive, new contract terms come into effect on the date of signing. 

The employer has 180 days from the signing of the contract to implement wage increases, wage adjustments and allowances. If Treasury Board is unable to meet this deadline, there is a lump sum of $200 payable if the outstanding amount is more than $500 owed. 

PSAC will update members when the agreement is signed. Please contact your regional office to make sure your contact information is up to date. 

Read our FAQ

TC members ratify new agreement with Treasury Board

PSAC members in the Technical Services (TC) bargaining unit have voted overwhelmingly in favour of their tentative agreement, with 93% of ballots cast in favour of the new contract. 

Together, PSAC members held the line during one of the largest national strikes in Canada’s history, winning wage increases that prevent workers from falling further behind, new and improved remote work language, better job security, and safer and more inclusive workplaces. 

The four-year collective agreement for over 10,500 members in the TC group expires on June 21, 2025. 

Highlights of the agreement

Next Steps  

In the coming weeks, PSAC will meet with Treasury Board representatives shortly to sign the new collective agreement. With the exception of monetary provisions, which are retroactive, new contract terms come into effect on the date of signing. 

The employer has 180 days from the signing of the contract to implement wage increases, wage adjustments and allowances. If Treasury Board is unable to meet this deadline, there is a lump sum of $200 payable if the outstanding amount is more than $500 owed. 

PSAC will update members when the agreement is signed. Please contact your regional office to make sure your contact information is up to date. 

Read our FAQ

SV members ratify new agreement with Treasury Board

PSAC members in the Operational Services (SV) bargaining unit have voted overwhelmingly in favour of their tentative agreement, with 90% of ballots cast in favour of the new contract. 

Together, PSAC members held the line during one of the largest national strikes in Canada’s history, winning wage increases that prevent workers from falling further behind, new and improved remote work language, better job security, and safer and more inclusive workplaces. 

The four-year collective agreement for 10,000 members in the SV group expires on August 4, 2025.

Highlights of the agreement

Next Steps  

In the coming weeks, PSAC will meet with Treasury Board representatives shortly to sign the new collective agreement. With the exception of monetary provisions, which are retroactive, new contract terms come into effect on the date of signing. 

The employer has 180 days from the signing of the contract to implement wage increases, wage adjustments and allowances. If Treasury Board is unable to meet this deadline, there is a lump sum of $200 payable if the outstanding amount is more than $500 owed. 

PSAC will update members when the agreement is signed. Please contact your regional office to make sure your contact information is up to date. 

Read our FAQ

PA members ratify new agreement with Treasury Board

PSAC members in the Program and Administrative Services (PA) bargaining unit have voted overwhelmingly in favour of their tentative agreement, with 87% of ballots cast in favour of the new contract. 

Together, PSAC members held the line during one of the largest national strikes in Canada’s history, winning wage increases that prevent workers from falling further behind, new and improved remote work language, better job security, and safer and more inclusive workplaces. 

The four-year collective agreement for over 98,000 members in the PA group expires on June 20, 2025. 

Highlights of the agreement

Next Steps  

In the coming weeks, PSAC will meet with Treasury Board representatives shortly to sign the new collective agreement. With the exception of monetary provisions, which are retroactive, new contract terms come into effect on the date of signing. 

The employer has 180 days from the signing of the contract to implement wage increases, wage adjustments and allowances. If Treasury Board is unable to meet this deadline, there is a lump sum of $200 payable if the outstanding amount is more than $500 owed. 

PSAC will update members when the agreement is signed. Please contact your regional office to make sure your contact information is up to date. 

Read our FAQ

PSAC-UTE members ratify new agreement with Canada Revenue Agency

PSAC-UTE members working at Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) have voted overwhelmingly in favour of their tentative agreement, with 88% of ballots cast in favour of the new contract. 

Together, PSAC members held the line during one of the largest national strikes in Canada’s history, securing fair wages that close the gap with inflation, the strongest remote work language in the country, better job security, and safer and more inclusive workplaces. 

The four-year collective agreement for over 35,000 PSAC-UTE members expires on October 31, 2025. 

Highlights of the agreement

Next Steps  

In the weeks to come, PSAC will meet with CRA representatives shortly to sign the new collective agreement. With the exception of monetary provisions, which are retroactive, new contract terms come into effect on the date of signing. 

The employer has 180 days from the signing of the contract to implement wage increases, wage adjustments and allowances. If CRA is unable to meet this deadline, there is a lump sum of $200 payable if the outstanding amount is more than $500 owed. 

PSAC will update members when the agreement is signed. Please contact your regional office to make sure your contact information is up to date. 

Read our FAQ

CRA Ratification votes to be held May 24 to June 16 

Ratification votes for PSAC-UTE members working at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will begin on May 24 and end June 16 at 12 noon ET.  

In order for PSAC-UTE members to receive their new rates of pay, retroactive pay, and lump sum payment, the new agreement must first be ratified. To ensure this ratification process is done as quickly as possible, PSAC will be conducting an expedited ratification process.   

The ratification vote will be conducted using the same online voting platform used for strike votes earlier this year. 

How to vote 

PSAC will be holding mandatory information sessions both virtually and in-person, and you can vote at any time after attending a session up until the voting deadline June 16 at noon ET.   

  1. Check your email: All PSAC-UTE members working for CRA will have received an email from [email protected] May 17 with the link to PSAC’s voting platform and the credentials needed to log in. If we only have your home address on file, your voting credentials will have been mailed to you. 
     
    If you did not receive an email on May 17, check your junk mail or other folders in your personal email account. If you’ve checked those folders and still don’t have the email, or if we don’t have your personal email on file, you can fill out a PSAC membership form to update your contact information.
     
    Once you submit the online membership form, PSAC will issue your voting credentials to you as soon as possible. 
  1. Participate in a mandatory information session: Upon receipt of your login credentials, please proceed to register for online or in-person voting sessions using the online voting platform link. 

Submit your vote: Once you attend a mandatory information session – either virtually or in person – you will then be provided with a link by email to vote. Following each information session, you can log in and vote immediately or stay on to participate in a live Q&A session held on Zoom with members of the PSAC-UTE bargaining team to answer your questions.  

Vote times and locations 

The following online and in-person mandatory information sessions have been scheduled. 

At PSAC’s request, CRA has agreed to provide all members one and a half hours on paid leave for online ratification votes and up to three hours on paid leave, including the meal period, for in-person voting. 

These sessions are listed in eastern time but are open to all PSAC-UTE members. Please choose the session that best fits your schedule. 

  • May 24 in English – 12 noon ET 
  • May 24 in English with ASL interpretation – 7 PM ET 
  • May 25 in French – 7 PM ET  
  • May 30 in English – 12 noon ET 
  • June 5 in French – 11 AM ET 
  • June 6 in English with ASL interpretation – 11 AM ET 
  • June 7 in English – 1:30 PM ET 
  • June 14 in French – 7 PM ET 
  • June 15 in English with ASL interpretation – 8 PM ET 

In-person vote sessions 

Click on your region to view the dates of the in-person meetings and the cities where they will be held. You’ll find the rest of the details, including times and addresses, on the PSAC voting platform.

  • Ottawa – May 31
  • Gatineau – May 29

  • Belleville – June 5
  • Greater Toronto – June 1
  • Hamilton/St Catharines – June 5
  • Kingston – June 5
  • Kitchener – June 6
  • Sudbury – May 30

  • Shawinigan – May 31
  • Chicoutimi – June 8
  • Laval – June 6
  • Montreal – June 7
  • Quebec – May 29

  • Halifax – June 6
  • Saint John – May 29
  • St. John’s – June 12
  • Summerside – June 14, 15

  • Winnipeg – May 29, 30
  • Regina – June 1
  • Calgary – June 1
  • Edmonton – May 30

  • Surrey – May 30
  • Vancouver – May 31
  • Penticton – June 13
Register now

Treasury Board ratification votes to be held May 24 to June 16

Ratification votes for PSAC members in the four Treasury Board groups will begin on May 24 and end on June 16 at noon ET.  

In order for PSAC members to receive their new rates of pay, retroactive pay, and lump sum payment, the new agreements must first be ratified. To ensure this ratification process is done as quickly as possible, PSAC will be conducting an expedited ratification process. 

The ratification votes will be conducted using the same online voting platform used for strike votes earlier this year. 

How to vote 

  1. Check your email: All PSAC members in the four Treasury Board groups will receive an email from [email protected] on May 24 with the link to PSAC’s voting platform and the credentials needed to log in. 

    If you do not receive an email on May 24, check your junk mail or promotions folders in your personal email account. If you’ve checked those folders and still don’t have the email, we may not have your personal email on file and you can fill out a PSAC membership form to update your contact information.

    Once you submit the online membership form, PSAC will issue your voting credentials to you as soon as possible.
  1. Watch the mandatory information session video: You are required to watch the mandatory information session video before voting. You can log into PSAC’s voting platform at any time during the voting period using the credentials emailed to you. The video cannot be skipped and must be played to the end before you will be permitted to vote. After you’ve watched the video, follow the on-screen instructions to vote. You can log into the voting platform to watch the information session video and cast your vote at any point between May 24 and June 16 at noon ET. 
  1. Submit your vote: The voting deadline is June 16 at noon ET. You can vote any time after watching the mandatory information video by following the instructions on-screen. You can also log back into the voting platform at a later time to cast your vote before the deadline, including after attending an optional Q&A session. 

Optional Q&A sessions 

Should you still have question after watching the mandatory information video, you will have the opportunity to attend virtual or in-person live Q&A sessions to learn more about your tentative agreement. 

These sessions are not mandatory but will give you the opportunity to ask questions about your agreement with PSAC staff and your bargaining team. 

Virtual Q&A sessions 

These sessions will be held over zoom, and registration will open on May 24. PSAC has scheduled the following optional virtual Q&A sessions.  

You are NOT required to attend these sessions to be able to vote. 

These sessions are listed in eastern time but are open to all PA, SV, TC and EB members. Please choose the session for your classification group that best fits your schedule  

Not sure which group you belong to? You can see which bargaining group you belong to here.  

These sessions will be held over Zoom, and registration will open on May 24.

In-person Q&A sessions 

PSAC has scheduled the following optional in-person Q&A sessions for members working for Treasury Board. In-person sessions are open to all members of the four Treasury Board groups, as we will have bargaining team members from all teams in attendance.

Click on your region to view the dates of the in-person meetings and the cities where they will be held. You’ll find the rest of the details, including times and addresses, on the PSAC voting platform.
 
Note: These optional sessions are not required to be eligible to vote. 

  • Charlottetown: Tuesday, June 13, 1–6 p.m. AT, PSAC Regional Office, #510-119 Kent St
  • Halifax: Wednesday, June 14, 2–7 p.m. AT, PSAC Regional Office, 172 Garland Ave., Dartmouth
  • Moncton: Monday, June 12, 12–5 p.m. AT, PSAC Regional Office 85 Ruffin St., Dieppe
  • Oromocto: Thursday, June 15, 5 p.m. AT, Days Inn, 60 Brayson Rd
  • St. John’s: Tuesday, June 13, 6:30 p.m. AT, Delta Hotels St. John’s Conference Centre, 120 New Gower Street

  • Vancouver: Tuesday, June 6, 3:30-6:30 p.m. PT, SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, Strategy Room 420, 580 W Hastings Street
  • Victoria: Monday, June 5, 3:30-6:30 p.m. PT, Coast Victoria Hotel & Marina, Fairfield Room, 146 Kingston Street

  • Ottawa: Thursday, June 1, 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. ET, R.A. Centre, Clark Hall, 2451 Riverside Drive

There are no in-person Q&A sessions scheduled in the North. If you have questions before you vote, please register for a virtual Q&A session. 

  • Angus : lundi 29 mai, 12 h 30, 15 h et 19 h 30 (HE), Centre récréatif d’Angus (gymnase), 8529 County Rd. 10
  • Belleville : mercredi 7 juin, 16 h 30 (HE), Fairfield by Marriott Belleville, 407 North Front Street
  • Kingston : mercredi 7 juin, 14 h (HE), Légion royale canadienne 631, 4034 Bath Road
  • Petawawa : mardi 6 juin, 17 h (HE), Quality Inn & Suites, 3119-B Petawawa Blvd.
  • London: Tuesday, June 13, 5 p.m. ET, Victory Legion Branch #317, 311 Oakland Ave
  • Thunder Bay: Thursday, June 1, 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. ET, 326 Memorial Avenue (OPSEU Meeting Room)
  • Trenton 
  • St. Catherines: Tuesday, June 13, 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. ET, Holiday Inn & Suites (Cabernet Room), 327 Ontario St.

  • Edmonton: Wednesday, June 14, 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. MT, PSAC Edmonton Regional Office, Suite 670 – 10665 Jasper Avenue
  • Calgary: Thursday, June 15, 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. MT, PSAC Calgary Regional Office, Suite 400 – 609 14 Street NW
  • Winnipeg: Wednesday, June 14, 12 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. CT, PSAC Winnipeg Regional Office, Suite 460 – 175 Hargrave St.

  • Montreal: Tuesday, June 13, 5 p.m. ET, Courtyard Montreal Downtown, 380 Rene-Levesque Blvd West
  • Québec City: Wednesday, June 14, 6:30 p.m. ET, Édifice FTQ, 5000 boulevard des Gradins
  • St-Jean-Sur Richelieu: Monday, June 12, 5 p.m. ET, Quality Hotel Centre de Congrès, 725 Blvd du Séminaire Nord
  • Trois-Rivières: Thursday, June 1, 6:30 p.m. ET, Delta Hotels Trois–Rivières Conference Centre, 1620 rue Notre Dame Centre

Tentative agreement reached with Canada Revenue Agency for 35,000 PSAC-UTE members 

After more than a year and a half of bargaining leading to one of the largest strikes in Canadian history, the PSAC-UTE bargaining team has reached a tentative agreement for the more than 35,000 Canada Revenue Agency workers who deliver critical services to Canadians. 

PSAC-UTE members held the line for two weeks while the government refused to give CRA a mandate to negotiate a fair contract and treat our members with the respect they deserve.

With the strike now over, PSAC-UTE members are required to return to work on May 4 by 11:30 a.m. ET, at the latest. If your regular start time is earlier than 11:30 a.m., we would encourage you to do your best to begin your workday at that earlier time because the employer may require you to make up those hours otherwise.

In this tentative agreement, PSAC-UTE has secured a fair contract for members that exceeds the employer’s original offer before the launch of strike action, and provides wage increases above those negotiated by other federal bargaining agents. It also provides significant new protections against layoffs as well as  improvements concerning hours of work, telework and seniority.

This agreement is a testament to the tenacity of PSAC-UTE members who held the line on fair wages and better working conditions.

The PSAC-UTE bargaining team unanimously recommends this agreement.

Highlights of the tentative agreement

Wages that close the gap with inflation

The PSAC-UTE bargaining team negotiated wage increases totaling 12.6% compounded over the life of the agreement from 2021–2025. PSAC-UTE secured an additional fourth year in the agreement that protects workers from inflation, as well as a pensionable $2,500 one-time lump sum payment that represents an additional 3.6% of salary for the average PSAC-UTE member.

Year of the agreement2021202220232024Total
Wage increase1.5%4.75%3.5%2.25%12%
Total compounded wage increase1.5%6.4%10.1%12.6%12.6%

One-time lump-sum payment

The pensionable one-time lump sum payment of $2,500 will be applicable to all members of the bargaining unit employed at the time of signing the agreement. For PSAC-UTE members approaching retirement, the pensionable lump sum payment will contribute to their average salary for their best five years of service and increase their overall pension payments in retirement.

Lump sum payment $2,500 (pensionable)Example salaryLump sum value
relative to salary
$45,0005.5%
$55,0004.5%
$65,0003.8%
$75,0003.3%
* Based on an annual average salary of $67,300 for PSAC-UTE members.

New and improved telework language

PSAC members will now be better protected from arbitrary decisions about remote work. We have negotiated language in a letter of agreement that requires managers to assess remote work requests individually, not by group, and provide written responses that will allow members and PSAC to hold the employer accountable to equitable and fair decision-making on remote work. Having all remote work requests reviewed on an individual basis will prevent future “one size fits all” type mandates like the government announced in December last year.

That means employee rights around remote work arrangements will be protected through a grievance process, and grievances that are not settled prior to the final step of the grievance process can be referred to a new joint union-management panel for review in each department to address issues related to the employer’s application of the remote work directive in the workplace and to make recommendations to the Assistant Commissioner of Human Resources for her consideration in responding to final level grievances.
 
PSAC-UTE and the CRA have also agreed to create a joint committee to review and update the telework policy for the government last updated in 2020 – before the pandemic began.

Hours of work

In an effort to improve work-life balance the PSAC-UTE bargaining team negotiated new language that allows workers to request the ability to start work as early as 6 a.m., and that such requests cannot be unreasonably denied. This gives workers the option to shape their workday to match their personal and family responsibilities.

Premiums, Leave

PSAC-UTE has secured an increase in shift premium to $2.50, the highest of any PSAC collective agreement. Our team also negotiated an improvement in vacation accrual, with the threshold for accessing four weeks of vacation dropping from eight to seven years of service, representing the best accrual for PSAC members in the public service as well as improved access to family-related responsibility leave and bereavement leave.

We also reached an agreement to end the CCAAT call monitoring system in Call Centres within 18 months. 

Safer and more inclusive workplaces

Everyone in the federal government can benefit from anti-racism and discrimination training. That’s why we’ve reached an agreement that CRA will review, share and encourage the integration of the recommendations emanating from the PSAC and TBS joint committee created to review the existing training courses related to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and to ensure employees are fully aware of training opportunities available to them during their work hours. 

We also know a diverse workforce with strong Indigenous representation means a better public service for all. With the new addition of paid leave for Indigenous employees to engage in traditional Indigenous practices, including hunting, fishing and harvesting, the government will be better able to attract and retain more Indigenous workers and recognize their lived experiences.

Protections against contracting out

The PSAC-UTE bargaining team has negotiated language to ensure that in the event of layoffs, preference shall be given to PSAC-UTE members over outside contractors. This language will protect union members’ jobs and reduce contracting out in the federal public service.

Seniority under Workforce Adjustment Directive

PSAC-UTE and the employer have agreed to submit a joint proposal to the Public Service Commission of Canada to include seniority rights in the Workforce Adjustment process.

Other gains at the bargaining table

PSAC-UTE also made important improvements on a number of issues, ranging from an increase to shift premiums, leave for union business and other types of leave. A detailed summary of these improvements will follow in the coming days.

Full text and next steps  

In the coming days, a full explanation of the new agreement, and a copy of the new language, will be provided once it has been fully translated. PSAC-UTE members will shortly thereafter be invited to participate in online ratification votes. Details about the votes will be shared as soon as possible.