Executive Committee Report
January to April 2026
Common Events Attended:
| EC Meeting: Jan 8, Feb 9, March 2, March 30, April 20 EC Informal Meeting: March 11 Board of Directors: Jan 15-16, Feb 19-20, April 10-11 Board of Directors Strategic Planning Session: Jan 14, Feb 18 Special Board of Directors: March 11-12 (this was scheduled for 1 hour on each day) Dry Run – WFA Townhall: Feb 9 WFA Townhall: Feb 10 Progress Summit Broadbent and Reception: March 4-6 |
| Executive Member | Portfolios | Report/Notes/Activities |
| President O’Reilly | BargainingCompensation/PensionsWork Force AdjustmentPSHCP Partners | Bargaining:SBC (February) broad alignment on the need for stronger coordination across tables, common issues like WFA, remote work, AI, and economic increases. Increased transparency across groups on priorities and employer approaches, better sharing of bargaining intelligence across tables.RTO remains a key member issue; it’s a central bargaining pressure point.WFA/RTO employer push across multiple tables, PSAC is at impasse.Groups are asking for stronger support on mobilization, dispute readiness, and strategy execution, not just issue alignment.IT Group – Bargaining and Mobilization: the last bargaining session was structured on WFA. The employer’s position remains the same on moving WFA language to the NJC. PIPSC’s position is that it should stay in the agreement. The next bargaining session is scheduled for May 27.A coordination meeting/ common issues table is scheduled to align on proposals, employer positions and groups where coordinated responses will matter.Mobilization actions for the IT group are sequenced against the bargaining calendar. Each action is deliberately doing two jobs at once: member engagement and data collection. RTO: On February 5, 2026, TBS announced that executives would return to the office 5 days/week as of May 4, 2026 and that it was their intention to return all other employees to the office 4 days/week as of July 6, 2026. TBS then scheduled 4 “engagement sessions” with all NJC Bargaining Agents. These sessions were not meaningful consultation : TBS refused to provide a rationale for their decision beyond indicating that it was to optimize organizational performance and to provide services to Canadians. Bargaining Agents clearly communicated the need for real consultation, for the issue to be bargained at the negotiation table and for flexibility in remote work arrangements. TBS rolled up the feedback from bargaining agents and we provided further comments in March 2026. A final decision to implement the 4 days/week return to office on July 6, 2026 was communicated on May 22, 206 without any further consultation. Many departments do not have the space required to meet this deadline and are varying the date of implementation. National Consultation teams continue to address this on a departmental level.ULP Mediation:Unfair labour practice complaint was filed following the Feb 5th announcement. Originally set for April, the mediation of the ULP took place on May 11th. We are not anticipating a full-file resolution; information gathering and partial resolution on specific items is the realistic expectation.The ULP is not standalone. It is part of how we hold the line on RTO4 and on the employer’s attempt to move WFA protections into a forum where we have less standing. A continuation date for mediation is scheduled for June 9th.WFA: Since December 2024, over 6000 of our members have been notified of their affected status by their Employer in the context of WFA. By end of April, some have had their status rescinded and many departments are at the SERLO process stage. National Consultation teams are actively participating in their departmental WFA committees to ensure our members’ rights and interests are protected. Webinars were held in French and English from January to March to provide information to the membership on the WFA process. Some webinars tackled specific subjects within WFA such as VDP, alternation, opting status and more. Members were given time to ask questions.The WFA@pipsc.ca inbox was introduced in January and has addressed over 500 member inquiries. PIPSC has participated and continues to be in the TBS National Bargaining Agents WFA Working Group and the associated sub working-group to advance systemic WFA issues for our membership. Collective bargaining are drafting and looking to table WFA language at the next IT bargaining session (May), to focus on early consultation, procedural transparency and protection of member rights.ERI: Website FAQs have been updated; Webinars in both official languages held in April. PIPSC engaging a financial planning service for members navigating ERI and pension waiver decisions. We are seeking integration of Pension Waivers into the WFA language to protect against future undermining of member’s rights. Policy grievance was filed on April 2, 2026 to denounce that the introduction of ERI is a workaround to the bargained WFA process and it undermines specific aspects such as VDP, alternation etc. PSHCP Partners: The next round of plan renewal is well underway. The parties have agreed to no-cost changes, but the employer refuses to implement them until all plan review is complete (in 2027+). The admin authority has noted that the 2023 plan changes have cost significantly more than expected. The employer continues to refuse to implement the OGGO report on the handover to Canada life. Of note, the report recommended improvements to physiotherapy coverage. Taken together, we anticipate the employer will be pushing for concessions or minimal improvements in the upcoming round of plan review. |
| VP Frechette | PIPSC AGM (Task Force Chair and Board Liaison)GovernanceRetired Members GuildPublic Service Commission Joint Advisory Council (PSCJAC)Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ) | PIPSC AGM (Task Force Chair and Board Liaison): Chaired the AGM TF meetings for the planning of the 2026 AGM that will take place in Ottawa on November 27 and 28, 2026. During those meetings, various subjects are discussed such as: chair, parliamentarian, back-ups, sergeant-at-arms, anti-harassment champions, first aid, guest speaker, theme and logo, president’s reception, social event, hospitality suites, award recipients, childcare, delegations, registration, website and digital tools, EDIA demographic data collection, accommodation policy, financial forum, ancillary meetings, resolutions, assigned seating, budget, guests, observers, booth requests, pulse survey, shuttle services, staff assignment, AGM location and contracts for 2027, etc.Governance: Participated in BLPC meetings, performed a complete review of the current PIPSC BLs 1 to 9, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26 and 27, and consulted with the BOD, the BLPC, the AC, the RMG and the staff to get feedback, attended AC meetings and was also on the agenda, etc.Retired Members Guild (RMG): Collaborated with the RMG President on current issues, attended RMG National Executive meetings, collaborated with the RMG Executive on the bylaw review for 2026 AGM, reviewed and analyzed reinstatement requests in working with staff to prepare comprehensive documentation for the BOD, responded to members inquiries, etc.Public Service Commission Joint Advisory Council (PSCJAC): Attended meetings as PIPSC representative and collaborated with the Office of the President to identify opportunities to strengthen the committee’s work within PIPSC and also to maximize our participation with the committee. We have maximized PIPSC involvement with appropriate staff being now more involved with this file.Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ): I attended a FTQ Board meeting as the Institute’s representative on the FTQ Board and General Council. Benoit Pelletier and Lyne Larocque were also appointed as the Institute’s representatives on the FTQ General Council. The Institute’s new representation on the FTQ Board and General Council provides an opportunity to strengthen ties with an influential labour organization in Quebec, and one that is present in a number of important federal discussions. It could also serve as a starting point for a more coherent and strategic approach to the Institute’s relations with all other affiliated labour organizations.Other: Responded to members, colleagues and staff inquiries, attended the Ottawa Centreville Branch (OCB) Executive as a guest speaker on behalf of the President, participated in the CFIA Media Action, attended a CFIA-S&A Bargaining team dinner, attended the Workforce Adjustments (WFA) Townhall as a panelist, attended the Lobby Training French session to assist in responding to members questions, attended the Hamilton-Burlington Branch AGM as a guest speaker on behalf of the President to address different topics such as PIPSC position on WFA and Return to Office (RTO), participated in PIPSC Lobby Sessions, attended the Professional Unions’ Network of Canada (PUNC) with VP Henshaw, PISPC COO and the Director of Public Affairs, Corporate Communications and Member Services, attended the Consultation Task Force meetings with VP Sutherland, Directors Bellefleur, MacKay and Roach, collaborated with VPs Henshaw and Sutherland on reviewing the National Steward Officer position, including its roles and responsibilities, etc. |
| VP Francis | EDIARTOPhoenixHRDC Board LiaisonStrategic Planning Sub-CommitteePension CommitteeBuilding TrustAGM Task ForcePIPSC Staff Bargaining Team Board Representative Advisory Board for the Centre of Expertise on Mental Health in the Workplace | EDIA: Collaborated with PIPSC COO and EDIA advisor to develop long-term equity strategy for PIPSCWorked with General Council to update the equity statement in collaboration with HRDCRepresented PIPSC at the National Employment Equity Council press conferenceRTO: Worked with the member engagement team to plan and execute a national information picket to inform members of their rights with respect to RTOMet with TBS for RTO joint consultation on 3-day RTO implementationMet with TBS for 4-day RTO “consultation” post-announcementMet with internal PIPSC RTO task force to plan and execute RTO-4 response Phoenix: Collaborated with public affairs on the Phoenix 10-year status report that highlights ongoing issuesParticipated in UMCC Phoenix meetings with TBSParticipated in Phoenix technical sub-committee meetingsHRDC: Liaised between the committee and the board of directorsAttended meetings as required and provide board updates to the committee and equity caucusesPresented committee proposals to the boardStrategic planning sub-committee: Organized the strategic planning process with a sub-committee of the board to develop the PIPSC national strategic planPension committee: Attended meetings as required Building trust: Newly appointed memberAttended meetings as requiredAGM task force: Newly appointed memberAttended meetings as requiredStaff bargaining Team: Represented the board of directors in bargaining with PIPSC staff unions IAM locals 3011 and 907Advisory Board for the Centre of Expertise on Mental Health in the Workplace: Newly appointed memberAttended meetings as required to advocate for mental health supports in the workplace Other: Spoke at the SP science rally on Parliament HillSpoke at Moncton branch AGMAttended NCR regional council as an observerAttended Labour College of Canada session 2Attended the Broadbent Summit and participated in their Emerging Leaders ProgramCollaborated with PIPSC Women in Science on a career progression project proposalLeafleted at the PIPSC CFIA WFA initiative on Sparks streetAttended March young professionals committee meeting and presented board updatesParticipated in anti-austerity strategy session hosted by CAPEIntroduced a lobby week training webinarActing president March 16-20Participated in a CBC interview on cuts to NB veterinarians |
| PT VP Henshaw | CLCSteward FrameworkLiberationContracting OutNB GroupsBuilding Trust CommitteeNSO Supervisor | Attended Contracting Out meeting with the IT Group to develop a planAttended Professional Unions Network of Canada meetingsMet with TEAM to speak on Mentorship program and deliveryDeveloped Mentorship applications, agreement, program documentation, confidentiality statement, guides, evaluations and survey.Met with NSO on expectations for the Last quarter of the positionMet with staff in membership wrt Steward FrameworkWorked out the liberation applications receivedOrganizing and planning of the CLC Tri-annual conventionWorked on the CLC Committees for the next termMet with staff regarding Contracting Out and the link to WFAMet with COO regarding steward frameworkAttended building trust meeting Introduced a lobby week training webinarHad meeting to lead the workforce on the National Steward Officer position/workAttended a Rally in New Brunswick in support of the NB Groups for the government cuts plannedAttended the Ontario Regional Council representing the President |
| PT VP Sutherland | Consultation EducationWFA | Consultation:Met with AC steering in January to discuss updating the Policy on Consultation Attended Working Group on Consultation in February and April.Attended regular scheduled meetings to support WGC with the WGC Chair and the NPO.Further planning with WGC Chair for Consultation SymposiumPresentation to the NRCan National Consultation Team and open discussion during their annual Team meeting.Organized a meeting with Staff Directors to update and discuss on the value and importance Consultation Teams play in the workplace and to help improve support for them. Attended 2 meetings of the Board created Task Force on Consultation.Education:Further engagement with the Education section regarding updating the Policy on Training. Met with Labour relations to discuss separate guidance / training surrounding the Notice of Occurrence process. Attended TEAM meeting to discuss enhancing training to better support Stewards within Consultation Teams. WFA:Attend National Bargaining Agent Workforce Adjustment Working Group – these happen approximately every two weeks. Raising issues from WGC, Consultation Teams, NPO.Distribute pertinent updates to the WGC.Presented and attended the WFA townhall.Other:Attend the PIPSC / TBS Joint Committee on the 3 day in office presence. We decided for now to keep these meetings going as a way to further communicate issues. It is another method to raise member issues to TBS. Both sides decided to keep these as long as we find value in doing so.Keynote speaker at the DND Ottawa Gatineau Branch AGM.Co-Keynote speaker at the CP Group Lunar New Year Event.Attended two Legacy Foundation Board MeetingsProvided introduction and attended the PIPSC Lobby week activist training.Presented and performed Q & A on the role of the Steward at the NCR Young Professional event.Guest Speaker for the PSPC NR Sub Group Lunch and Learn. Delegate to the NCR Regional Council |