November 25, 2008
PSAC Bargaining Units with Treasury Board (PA, SV, TC, EB, FB)
A tentative agreement was reached on November 23, 2008, on behalf of PSAC members who work for Treasury Board in the Operational Services (SV) bargaining unit. The tentative agreement, if ratified, will have an expiry date of August 4th, 2011 (4 year agreement).
The highlights of improvements to the collective agreement are as follows:
Economic Increases and Monetary Gains
- 2.3% pay increase on August 5th, 2007
1.5% pay increase on August 5th, 2008
1.5% pay increase on August 5th, 2009
1.5% pay increase on August 5th, 2010
- National Rates of Pay:
On August 5th, 2009 the GL, GS and HS groups enter into a National pay grid. Each sub-group and level will have its own pay grid, with three steps. The highest step will be equal to the pay rate for the highest zone. Step 1 will be 92% of the highest rate. Step 2 will be 96% of the highest rate. Members move into the new grid at a point that is closest to but not less than their current rate of pay under the regional structure. They will progress through the pay grid in the same manner as the vast majority of the public service who already has annual pay increments. This means that all of the SV members who enter the pay grid on August 5th 2009 at Step 1 or 2, will move up one step on August 5th 2010. On August 4th, 2011, the last day of the contract, any current employee still at step 2 will move to step 3.
Any new employees hired after August 5th 2009 will start at the first step and progress through the pay grid in the same manner as the vast majority of the public service who already has annual pay increments.
The implementation of national rates of pay will increase the average pay for GL, HS and HS groups by 6.8%.
Apprenticeships
- A new annex in the GL and GS group appendices acknowledges the value of skills development with an emphasis on red seal certification. The language provides for salary protection while members are in an apprenticeship program and addresses other related employee costs. The new annex also establishes wage rates for apprentices that are based on a percentage of the maximum rate of pay for the applicable sub group and level which increases as you progress through the certification process.
Workforce Adjustment (WFA)
- Strengthened the provisions of the WFA to avoid lay-offs by negotiating language that requires the government to review the use of temporary help agencies, contractors and consultants and constrains their use if there is Surplus or laid off persons available to do the work. Education allowance is increased to $10000 (from $8000) and financial counselling aid is increased to $600 (from $400). Notification timelines to your union of a WFA stituation are improved and there also other revisions to ensure that the changing role of the Public Service Commission does not result in a reduction of entitlements for our members.
Other Changes
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Term employees who take maternity or parental leave may now be rehired by Parks Canada, CRA or CFIA (as well as Treasury Board) within 90 days of the expiry of their leave in order to avoid having to pay back their top-up. The same provisions also apply to permanent employees who are hired by any of these Agencies when they return from their maternity leave.
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Definition of family has been moved from the Bereavement Leave article to the Interpretations and Definitions article, and this expanded definition will also apply to Leave Without Pay for Care of Immediate Family.
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Bereavement Leave article is amended to allow members to take the leave either at the time of death or to defer the leave if the funeral or memorial is held at a later date.
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Employees who qualify for Employment Insurance Compassionate Care Benefits may now take Compassionate Care Leave under Leave Without Pay for Immediate Family.
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Rest periods for Health Service Workers (HS).The HS group did not have language outlining an entitlement to rest periods. The following clause ensures that our HS members receive two fifteeen minute breaks per day.
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The Public Service Labour Relations Act now provides for two new types of grievances: group grievances and policy grievances. Changes to the grievance procedure have been made to reflect these new entitlements.
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Funding for the Joint Learning Program has been secured for the life of the collective agreement.
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Consolidated the Ships Crews Diving Allowance into the Special Allowances section of Ships Crews Appendix.
- Various clauses throughout the agreement have been amended to reflect changes to the Public Service Labour Relations Act, but none of these affect any substantive rights.
Concessions
- There are no concessions in the tentative agreement.
Your bargaining team comprising:
Melvin Dureen
Donna Gourley
Glenn Horman
Robert Spencer
Randy Sanderson
Steve Van Opstal
Blair Winger
Robyn Benson, AEC Officer
unanimously recommends acceptance of the tentative agreement.
Date Modified : 2010/01/29
