Updates

After four days of mediation, PSAC and Treasury Board have reached a tentative agreement for the Operational Services (SV) Group, which covers almost 10,000 federal public service workers. The deal includes the significant breakthroughs on “common issues,” such as sick leave and workforce adjustment, that were negotiated by the common issues committee last December.

As tax season approaches, many PSAC members are concerned about the effects of Phoenix pay problems on their taxes.

If you have questions about the tax implications of an overpayment or underpayment, or about your T4, here are two useful links:

• Government of Canada: Information for employees on tax slips.
• Canada Revenue Agency: Questions and Answers – Tax Implications of Phoenix payroll issues

Our PSAC/CIU bargaining team for the FB group spent 3 days in mediation with Treasury Board and CBSA this past week. We made no progress on our key priorities for this round of bargaining. We enforce the law. It’s time we were treated accordingly.

Compensation

Our position reflects wage parity with the RCMP. Management has rejected this proposal and instead tabled the PA wage settlement. This is unacceptable to us as it does not address our wage disparity with the broader law enforcement community.

After four days of mediation, PSAC and Treasury Board have reached a tentative agreement for the Operational Services (SV) Group, which covers almost 10,000 federal public service workers. The deal includes the significant breakthroughs on “common issues,” such as sick leave and workforce adjustment, that were negotiated by the common issues committee last December.

The Liberal government has announced they are backtracking on their promise to make Canadian elections fairer and more representative.

“Our present system gives us majority governments with a minority of votes,” said PSAC National President Robyn Benson. “We need an electoral system that is more democratic, where everyone’s vote is equal and effective.”

PSAC joins the Canadian Labour Congress in calling on the Prime Minister to honour his campaign promise to make 2015 the last time there is unfair election.

PSAC extends its condolences to the victims of yesterday’s hateful attack on a Quebec mosque, and their families.

Increasingly, Muslims are targets of violence and hatred, with a rise in the number of verbal and physical attacks against Muslims over the last few years. Anti-Muslim rhetoric, policies and actions can create a hostile environment that makes such attacks more likely.