Updates

The new law reverses several Harper-era changes to federal collective bargaining legislation, which limited the right of public service workers to strike and gave the government the right to unilaterally remove or change sick leave provisions negotiated into collective agreements at any time. 

The Government proposed a wage increase of only 0.75% per year for 4 years, along with no retroactive payments. In addition, they requested the new agreement only take effect 365 days after it is signed by both parties. Aside from wage increases that would not even come close to matching inflation, such a long implementation period added to the time spent bargaining would produce a virtual two-year wage freeze for PSAC members.

"Canada promotes inclusive values around the world. Why would Ontario do the opposite here at home?  The government’s reversal was the right thing to do, but suspending the project of a French-speaking university remains alarming. The government is balancing its budget on the backs of Franco-Ontarians. It's shameful," says Sharon DeSousa, PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President for Ontario.

The violence continues

Trans, two-spirit and non-binary people continue to face disproportionate rates of violence and discrimination. Recent studies show that:

• Over two-thirds (70%) of trans youth in Canada have experienced sexual harassment
• More than 1 in 3 (36%) trans youth report being physically threatened or injured in the past year
• Sixty-five percent of trans people have experienced domestic violence
• For racialized and indigenous trans people violence and discrimination is even worse: globally, 84% of trans people who were murdered in 2017 were racialized

PSAC has a long-established system to determine the correct dues for each of its members. Every month, the union sends the government a file that lists changes, adjustments and corrections to dues amounts to be implemented by the pay system.

The Phoenix pay system has been unable to process this file since March 2016, resulting in the inaccurate collection of membership dues for the majority of our members. This has affected thousands of workers, and particularly those that have undergone significant changes like being promoted, changing positions, going on parental leave, or retiring.

For several weeks, PSAC has been reaching out to members to inform them of the upcoming changes to their paycheques. Letters are being mailed or emailed to members with details about their specific dues’ situation. PSAC has also answered thousands of online inquiries about individual membership dues cases.