Wages increased in four years of new deal
After four days of mediation, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Treasury Board have reached a tentative agreement for the operational services group, which covers almost 10,000 federal public service workers.
The deal includes the significant breakthroughs on sick leave and workforce adjustment, that were negotiated by the common issues committee last December, according to the union.
“Some progress was made towards achieving a key demand of equal pay with similar workers in the private sector and public sectors,” said Robyn Benson PSAC national president. “However, our bargaining team members remain disappointed that the government has not agreed to fully implement the results of a joint pay study commissioned in 2014. We are recommending acceptance of this agreement because we believe it is the best we can achieve at this time. Ultimately it will be up to the members to decide.”
The workers will receive economic wage increases of 1.25 per cent per year for four years. The union also achieved market and wage adjustments of between 0.5 per cent and 15 per cent, as well as increases to some allowances.
Changes will reduce involuntary layoffs by allowing volunteers to come forward to leave the public service during times of workforce adjustment, said the union.
A committee will be established to look at childcare needs. Better family leave, including provisions that are more respectful and inclusive of Indigenous cultures, have also been negotiated.
