Updates

Help for PSAC members with Phoenix-related problems and questions

One year ago, the Liberal government began its rollout of Phoenix, the consolidated payroll system for the public service.

Since then, thousands of public service workers have been paid incorrectly or not at all. Many more worry every pay day if they will be the next victim of the Phoenix debacle. It is also putting excessive stress on the employees who process pay under the new system.

On Friday, February 24th, PSAC will mark the first anniversary of Phoenix by drawing attention to the Phoenix pay system and its continuing problems.

We want you to know that PSAC has been doing everything in its power to ensure that the pay system is fixed so you get paid correctly and on-time.

Here are some of the things PSAC has been doing.

1. Raising red flags before and after launch of pay system

PSAC repeatedly warned the Liberal government before the launch of the new pay system, and shortly after the first phase was launched, that there were serious problems.

2. Successfully fighting for a claims process

PSAC successfully pushed Treasury Board to compensate our members for penalties, interest charges and other fees incurred due to pay problems.

The Supreme Court of Canada has decided not to hear PSAC’s legal challenge to the previous Conservative government’s budget bill that rolled back negotiated wage increases for federal public service workers.

The union argued that the legislation violated the Charter rights of PSAC members under section 2(d) “freedom of association”.

“We are surprised the Supreme Court has chosen not to hear our case as it is in direct contradiction to a recent ruling on collective bargaining rights,” said PSAC National President Robyn Benson. “Bill C-10 significantly restricted our members’ bargaining rights. Yet, in November 2016, the Court ruled against the British Columbia government for restricting the bargaining rights of provincial teachers.”

Treasury Board has reminded Deputy Heads of their discretionary authority to support employees whose pay has been affected by Phoenix.

This applies to employees who are owed money because of delays in the processing of their acting, their allowances, overtime and extra duty payments, as well as salary increases related to a promotion or pay increments.

On December 17, 2016, after two-and-a-half years of negotiations, our PA bargaining team finally reached a tentative agreement with Treasury Board. Our bargaining team unanimously recommends ratification of our new agreement.

If ratified, the settlement will improve our members’ working conditions in several ways. These improvements are the product of the hard work and dedication of both our team and the membership over the course of this round of bargaining.

You can access the full tentative agreement in PDF format.