Canada’s largest public sector union and the government have reached an tentative agreement ending one of the biggest strikes in the country’s history.
The agreement between the Finance Board and four PSAC negotiating groups representing 120,000 public servants ends a strike after almost two weeks. Union members returning to work as of 9 am Monday.
“PSAC members held the line and secured a fair contract that keeps up with the cost of living, increased protections around remote work, and creates safer, more inclusive workplaces,” National President Chris Aylward said in a statement. a press release on Monday.
PSAC regional vice president for the national capital region, Alex Silas, said the negotiation came down to the last minute.
“What that means is that workers further down the pay scale are a bigger boost to them than their pay scale is. And throughout this fight we’ve been saying we want a fair wage standard to keep the cost of living level that will allow federal public service workers not to live paycheck to paycheck,” Silas said.
Treasury Board Chair Mona Fortier said the deals came after weeks of “hard work, negotiation and compromise.”
“We are deeply grateful for the hard-working public servants across the country to serve Canadians and we look forward to welcoming them back,” he said. “These agreements are fair, competitive and reasonable, and provide stability for public servants and Canadians.”
The agreement is retroactive to June 2021 and runs through 2024. Union members still have to vote on it.
This is what is in the tentative agreement, according to both parties.
WHAT SALARY INCREASE DID THE PARTIES AGREE TO?
The Union says The deal includes a compound pay increase of 12.6 over four years, which it says closes the pay gap with inflation.
treasury board puts the magnification differently. The government says the pay increase is 11.5 percent for four years, but includes a group-specific allowance of 0.5 percent in the third year.
The agreement also includes a one-time payment of $2,500 for all employees.
For workers nearing retirement, that payment will contribute to their average salary for their five years of service and increase pension payments in retirement, the union says.
The PSAC began negotiations seeking a 13.5 percent salary increase over three years. The government’s initial offer was nine percent during the same time period.
WHAT ABOUT REMOTE WORK?
The government says the two parties reached an agreement on working from home that is outside the collective agreement.
“The Government of Canada remains committed to a modern, hybrid workplace that provides employees, where appropriate, the flexibility to continue working from home up to 3 days per week. Outside of collective agreements, we reached a tentative agreement on telecommuting to the satisfaction of both parties We agree to carry out a review of the Teleworking Directiveand create departmental panels to advise deputy bosses on employee concerns.”
PSAC says its members now have access to additional protection when subjected to arbitrary decisions about remote work.
“We have also negotiated language in a letter of agreement that requires managers to evaluate remote work requests individually, not by group, and provide written responses that will allow members and the PSAC to hold the employer accountable for equitable decision-making. and fair about remote work.”
The parties also agreed to create joint panels to address employee concerns about remote work.
Gilles Levasseur, a professor of law and business at the University of Ottawa, says the decision on remote work is not the last.
“It’s a critical first step in moving to stronger language in the next negotiation,” he told CTV News Ottawa. “The agreement deals with 2021 to 2024, so that means that in a year and a half from now, they will have to come back to the table and renegotiate, so there is that letter of agreement that creates that type of relationship between the employer and the employee. . .”
Levasseur says the language is not yet strong enough to create a legal requirement.
“Give the intention, give the idea; what it does not give, specifically, are the limitations of the authority or capacity to act of the employer and that is the true ruin of this type of contract”.
WHAT ELSE IS IN THE AGREEMENT?
PSAC says it also secured protections against contracting out labor in the federal public service.
“PSAC has negotiated language to ensure that in the event of layoffs, PSAC members will not lose their job if they can perform the duties of a contractor already working with the federal government,” the union says.
Anti-racism training was also a key element for PSAC negotiators. The union said Monday that the agreement includes “an agreement to create a joint committee to review existing training courses related to equity, diversity and inclusion in employment, and to ensure that employees are fully aware of opportunities.” training available to them during their working hours.
The agreement also includes paid leave for indigenous employees to engage in traditional practices such as hunting and fishing.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE WORKERS OF THE CRA?
Although tentative agreements have been reached for four bargaining units representing 120,000 employees in the basic public service, 35,000 CRA workers remain on strike.
Those workers are represented by the Tax Clerks Union, an arm of PSAC.
PSAC said in a press release on Monday that the PSAC/UTE negotiating team would start “lightning negotiations” with the CRA in an effort to reach an agreement.
CRA workers were picketing Monday morning in Ottawa, including on Heron Road. Monday marked the 13th day of the strike.
Many workers on the line said they were tired, cold and shocked by how long it is taking.
“We’re frustrated that we’re staying here and everyone is back at work and we feel like we’ve fallen behind a bit,” Joanne McCarroll said.
“We deserve the same rights as everyone else and yes, I wish it would end for me too,” said Dorisol Mona.
“A little disappointed that the treasury board didn’t settle the contract, but it is what it is,” Kendall Miller said. “So we’re supporting everyone who walks, it’s not the best day.”