Updates

“I am so proud of our members who stood together to pressure this employer and secure a fantastic agreement that raises the bar for the entire gaming sector,” states Sharon DeSousa, PSAC Ontario Regional Executive Vice-President. “We were able to achieve major wins, including addressing precarious work by adding a clause in this agreement to have a minimum of 50% of the positions in the bargaining unit be full time!”

By law, once impasse is reached, a PIC is established to help the parties reach an agreement. The PIC is a panel of three people – a chairperson appointed by the Labour Board and nominees appointed by the union and management. The union and the employer submit briefs and explain their positions on the outstanding issues at a hearing with the PIC. The PIC then issues a report with recommendations for settlement. The recommendations are not binding.

Once the PIC releases its report, PSAC bargaining teams will reconvene to discuss the recommendations. Typically, PSAC’s teams and government representatives then return to the table to resume negotiations

The PIC process began when bargaining reached an impasse in May. 

In negotiations, the government insisted on a wage cut once inflation is factored in as well as a waiting period of up to 18 months after contract signing for retro pay. At the same time, the government rejected our proposals to improve working conditions by: 

• implementing market adjustments where pay discrepancies exist; 

• providing a full top-up for the new 18-month parental leave option; 

• reducing contracting-out and precarious work in the public service; and 

• better addressing mental health in the workplace.

Protections from CBSA Management

We continue to raise problems related to CBSA management culture and CBSA’s dealings with employees. In addition to proposals we’ve made concerning new protections in the context of discipline, abuse of authority and harassment, our team spoke again this week to our proposal to ensure whistleblowing protections are in place for PSAC/CIU members in the event of CBSA wrongdoing. 

Government rejects improvements to working conditions 

At the Treasury Board (TB) tables, the government insisted on wage increases that would not even keep up with inflation as well as a waiting period of up to 18 months after contract signing for retro pay. At the same time, the government rejected our proposals for: 

• implementing market adjustments where pay discrepancies exist; 

• providing a full top-up for the new 18-month parental leave option; 

• reducing contracting-out and precarious work in the public service; and 

• improving mental health in the workplace.